- Disney pays $50 million share to YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream subscribers
- It’s part of a settlement it reached in a class-action lawsuit claiming it exploited its control over channels like ESPN to charge users higher prices.
- FuboTV users are also part of this class action lawsuit, but they are not part of this settlement, which means their side of the case is ongoing.
If you subscribed to YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream at any time between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2026, you could be owed $50 million in a class action lawsuit.
The class action lawsuit alleged that Disney violated federal and state antitrust and consumer protection laws by raising prices for streaming packages. It claims to have done this by forcing ESPN and other Disney-owned premium channels to adhere to the basic packages offered by YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream, making those packages more expensive for end users and leaving them without more affordable alternatives that include premium sports channels.
Disney strongly denied the allegations made in the lawsuit, and this settlement does not determine whether it was right or wrong. Still, this means that subscribers – even those who are no longer subscribers but were at some point between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2026 – will receive a share of the $50 million payment.
FuboTV was also involved in that suit, but its plaintiffs did not reach a settlement with Disney. This means that its class action segment is still ongoing and you will have to wait to see how it resolves if you were/are subscribed to this service.
Beyond the $50 million, Disney also agreed to consider proposals for channel packages that exclude ESPN or contain fewer Disney-owned channels overall. This would create greater package flexibility and potentially offer non-sport enthusiasts more affordable, non-sport groupings better suited to their needs and budget.
How to make a claim?
The easiest way to submit a claim is to visit https://onlinetvsettlement.com.
From there, head to the Submit a Claim tab, which will ask for the unique ID printed on the notice you received by mail or email. This is a document that was sent to eligible plaintiffs in this case.
If you have not received this information, you can email [email protected] for assistance or submit a written complaint form (along with any required documentation) to Biddle v. Disney, Settlement Administrator, PO Box 4720, Portland, OR 97208-4720.
All claims must be submitted by September 8, 2026, with mailed forms requiring a postmark of that date or before.
If you do nothing, you won’t get your share of the settlement.
Am I eligible?
You should have received notice if you are eligible to make a claim, but if you have not received it and think you should, you can check all eligibility requirements by visiting https://onlinetvsettlement.com.
As the first page explains, “The settlement classes include the YouTube TV settlement class and the DirecTV Stream settlement class.”
“The “YouTube TV Settlement Class” includes everyone who purchased a YouTube TV subscription between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2026.
“The “DirecTV Stream Settlement Class” includes all individuals who purchased a DirecTV live and streaming pay TV subscription (including DirecTV Stream, DirecTV Now and AT&T TV Now) between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2026.”
How much will I receive?
You won’t get $50 million, just a share of the money determined by the number of people clamoring to participate and the length of your subscription – someone who signed up for a few months won’t get as much as someone who was subscribed to either service for the full seven years between deadlines.
The state you live in may also determine the share you get.
Finally, on January 14, 2027, the court will hold its final approval meeting. On that date, he might decide to object to the settlement, meaning you would get nothing, at least not until a new verdict or settlement is reached. We cannot say how likely this case is to fail the approval process because we are not legal experts; however, it is rare for them to do so.
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