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You could be owed some cheddar from the Mouse House, but the deadline to file your claim is fast approaching.
YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream subscribers could be eligible for a payday as part of a $50 million settlement from The Walt Disney Company.
The lawsuit and settlement stem from the original class action suit, which alleges that Disney forced YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream to inflate their subscription prices, a move that violated federal and state antitrust and consumer protection laws.
According to the suit, Disney strongarmed the aforementioned providers into carrying ESPN and other Disney-owned channels, making it impossible for these providers to offer cheaper packages sans the sports network, leaving consumers to absorb what the plaintiffs described as “artificially inflated prices.”
While Disney denies any wrongdoing, they have agreed to pay out eligible customers who held a YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream subscription between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2026
However, customers must act fast lest they miss out.
The only way to get a cash payment is for eligible folk to submit a valid claim form, available on the Online TV Settlement website, by September 8, 2026.
Claims can be made online or via post.
Those who choose to exclude themselves from the settlement must also do so Sept. 8, 2026, via a mail-in request to the settlement administrator at the following address: Biddle v. Disney, Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 4720, Portland, OR 97208-4720.
Those who wish to object, i.e., stay in the settlement but express to the court why they do not agree with it, must file their objections by December 1, 2026.
Once all claims have been submitted, the settlement administrator will finalize the cash payout details.
Settlement compensation depends on the length of the YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream subscription and the total number of approved claims.
The as yet to be determined settlement amount will be distributed after a final approval hearing on Jan. 14, 2027.
If approved by a judge, settlement payments will follow. Typically, payouts must be made within a specific time frame, usually 90 days.
In addition to the financial payout, Disney has agreed to proposed changes that would require the company to entertain proposals from streaming distributors that want to offer packages with fewer Disney-owned networks, including plans that exclude ESPN channels.
These proposed exclusions would give streaming services increased flexibility in negotiating carriage agreements.
In a bit of goodwill towards its streaming fan base, Disney is doling out the discounts,
Disney+ streaming subscribers can save up to 25% on a Disney World vacation and get a free ticket upgrade on stays from late September through Christmas.
And if you’re wishing on a star for greater options to save, this isn’t the only discount for these travel dates. The amusement park is also offering 20% off, with discounts of up to 25% for Florida residents and up to 30% for Annual Passholders.
