Disney will pay $50 million to settle a class-action suit alleging it forced higher prices for YouTube TV and DirecTV subscribers between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2026. Over the next three years Disney may offer streaming providers leaner subscription packages excluding ESPN channels to address rising bundle costs.
Disney has agreed to a $50 million settlement to resolve a 2022 class-action lawsuit that alleged the company pressured YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream to raise consumer prices by bundling ESPN and Hulu+. Disney denies wrongdoing and the settlement requires formal court approval, with a final hearing scheduled for January 14, 2027.
Customers who subscribed to YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, DirecTV Now or AT&T TV Now between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2026 may file a claim by September 8, 2026. Payouts will be calculated based on subscription duration, with claimants certifying dates under penalty of perjury; no receipts are required.
As part of the agreement, Disney will consider proposals over the next three years for monthly subscription services that exclude costly ESPN channels or other networks. This concession aims to give providers flexibility to offer lower-priced streaming options and could help curb subscriber churn due to rising bundle fees.
