Millions of current and former YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream subscribers could be eligible for a cash payment after Disney agreed to a proposed $50 million settlement in a class action lawsuit over alleged anti-competitive pricing practices.
The settlement covers anyone who subscribed to YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2026. Eligible customers must submit a claim through the official online settlement portal by September 8, 2026. While the exact amount each claimant will receive has not yet been announced, payments are expected to be distributed after a final court approval hearing scheduled for January 14, 2027.
The lawsuit was originally filed in 2022 by four YouTube TV subscribers, who alleged that Disney used its market position to drive up subscription prices across the live TV streaming industry. According to the complaint, Disney’s ownership of major brands, including ESPN and Hulu, gave the company significant influence over pricing. The lawsuit also claimed that streaming providers were required to include ESPN in their standard channel packages, limiting their ability to offer lower-cost subscription options.
Although Disney agreed to the $50 million settlement in March and the agreement received preliminary approval from a federal court later that month, the company has denied any wrongdoing or violation of the law.
The case comes after several high-profile carriage disputes between Disney, YouTube TV, and DirecTV Stream in recent years that temporarily removed Disney-owned channels from the competing services. One 15-day blackout on YouTube TV was previously estimated to have cost Disney around $110 million in lost revenue, more than double the amount the company has agreed to pay under the proposed settlement.
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YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream Users May Receive Cash From $50 Million Disney Settlement
