YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream subscribers would receive money from Disney's $50 million deal
YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream subscribers will receive a payout from the $50 million deal with Disney. We give you all the details you need to know
Thousands of people who paid for live streaming television services could be entitled to cash compensation. A $50 million settlement reached by Disney in a class action lawsuit opens the door for certain YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream subscribers to claim part of the fund, as long as they meet the established requirements and submit their application before the deadline.
The agreement partially ends a federal class action lawsuit filed in 2022 by customers of both platforms, who accused Disney of applying anticompetitive practices that would have caused an increase in the cost of Internet television subscriptions.
The lawsuit, identified as Biddle v. Disney, alleged that the company used its position in the market to require streaming services to include high-demand channels, such as ESPN, within their basic programming packages. According to the plaintiffs, this practice reduced the ability to offer cheaper plans and ended up raising prices for consumers. Disney rejected the allegations and accepted the settlement without admitting liability or having a court find that it broke the law.
So why did you reach an agreement? To avoid a long litigation that could represent higher legal expenses than the $50 million dollars that it will have to pay on this occasion.
Who can receive a payment?
On the other hand, FuboTV users are not part of this agreement. Although there is a similar demand related to that service, so far no agreement has been reached with Disney for that group of consumers.
How much will the compensation be?
The amount that each person will receive will not be the same for everyone and is not predetermined, since the payment will depend on the time that the user kept their subscription active during the period covered by the claim and the total number of valid claims that are approved.
In addition, legal fees and other costs authorized by the court will be pre-deducted from the $50 million dollar fund.
The hearing for final approval of the settlement is scheduled for January 14, 2027. If the settlement is approved by the court and there are no additional delays, payments will subsequently begin to be distributed to those who submitted a valid claim.
How to file a claim?
Eligible members will need to complete a claim form to claim their share of the settlement. Before doing so, they will need the unique identification number included in the notification sent by email or postal mail.
If a person believes they meet the requirements, but did not receive the notification or lost it, they can contact the settlement administrator to request assistance or retrieve the necessary information at info@OnlineTVSettlement.com.
It is not mandatory to present receipts or proof of payment for the subscription. Instead, the applicant must certify the start and end dates of their service under penalty of perjury.
The deadline to submit the claim, either online or by mail, is September 8, 2026. Those who do not submit the form before that deadline will lose the opportunity to receive a portion of the compensation fund.
Paper claim forms are also available and must be completed in their entirety, with the signed verification statement, and mailed to: Settlement Administrator, PO Box 4720, Portland, OR 97208-4720.