Disney has agreed to a $50 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit, Biddle v. Disney, which alleged that the company violated antitrust and consumer protection laws. The lawsuit claimed that Disney used its market power to force streaming services to bundle ESPN and other networks, artificially inflating subscription costs for consumers.
The settlement covers individuals who held subscriptions to YouTube TV or specific DirecTV streaming services between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2026. While the lawsuit also involves FuboTV, that portion of the litigation remains ongoing.
Eligibility and Claim Process
Eligible subscribers include those who paid for YouTube TV or DirecTV streaming packages, such as DirecTV Stream, DirecTV Now, or AT&T TV Now, during the specified timeframe. Impacted customers should have received official notices via mail or email containing a unique ID and PIN required to file a claim.
The settlement administrator has directed users to the official settlement website to submit claims. The deadline for filing is September 8, 2026. Claims submitted after this date, or those postmarked later than September 8, will not be accepted.
Payment Details
The exact payout per individual has not been finalized. According to the settlement terms, payments will be proportional to the duration of the subscriber’s service during the eligible period. Additionally, the distribution of funds is influenced by the subscriber’s location, with 90% of the settlement pool allocated to “Repealer Jurisdictions”—states where specific antitrust laws allow for broader consumer recovery.