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Disney is set to pay out a $50 million settlement in a class action lawsuit that alleged the entertainment giant broke antitrust and consumer protection laws by pushing prices for streaming subscriptions higher.
The settlement follows a 2022 federal class action lawsuit that was filed by YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream subscribers who claimed the company engaged in anticompetitive conduct to raise the prices of streaming services’ live TV plans due to its control over in-demand programming, such as ESPN and Hulu.
The class action suit, known as Biddle v. Disney, alleged that Disney limited the ability of rivals to offer lower-cost streaming services because of the company’s requirement that streaming platforms include ESPN in basic channel packages as part of its carriage agreements. Plaintiffs alleged that contributed to higher consumer prices across the streaming platforms.
Disney has denied wrongdoing, and no court has determined the company violated the law. The company agreed to the settlement without admitting liability.
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Who is eligible for the Disney settlement?
Consumers who had paid subscriptions to YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream between April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2026, are eligible to receive a share of the settlement fund.
For DirecTV subscribers, eligibility covers DirecTV Stream, DirecTV Now and AT&T TV Now plans within the covered period.
A similar case involving Disney’s impact on streaming subscription prices involving FuboTV was filed covering a seven-year period. However, FuboTV plaintiffs haven’t reached a settlement with Disney, so they aren’t eligible at this time.
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| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIS | THE WALT DISNEY CO. | 98.63 | -0.16 | -0.16% |
How much are settlement payments?
Settlement payments will vary based on how long a subscriber was paying for a YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream subscription during the period covered by the settlement.
They will also be determined based on the number of eligible claims received, after subtracting attorneys’ fees.
The court will hold a final hearing to approve the settlement on Jan. 14, 2027, and shortly after that the payments will be issued to eligible claimants.
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How to file a claim
Subscribers who are eligible for the settlement can submit a claim form to receive a pro rata cash payment that’s proportional to the duration of their YouTube TV and/or DirecTV Stream subscription.
Before filing the claim, an eligible member of the class will need the unique ID printed on the notice they received through the mail or email. If an individual didn’t receive the notice or lost it, they may contact the settlement administrator for assistance.
There is no requirement to submit receipts or subscription documentation when filing a claim, and eligible customers will certify the start and end dates of a subscription under penalty of perjury.
The deadline to submit claim forms is Sept. 8, 2026, for claims submitted online or via mail. Eligible members wishing to submit a claim or read more information may find it at the Biddle v. Disney claims website here.
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