Disney settles $50 million antitrust lawsuit over streaming bundles

The Walt Disney Company has agreed to a $50 million settlement in a federal antitrust lawsuit, Biddle v. The Walt Disney Company, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The lawsuit alleged that Disney leveraged its control over essential programming, specifically ESPN, to compel streaming platforms to include expensive channels in their base packages, thereby increasing costs for consumers.

Disney has denied any wrongdoing and settled the case without admitting liability to avoid the costs and risks associated with a trial. The settlement is available to individuals who held a YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream subscription at any time between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2026. A judge granted preliminary approval for the settlement on March 31, and a final fairness hearing is scheduled for January 14, 2027.