Disney and Dish seek settlement in Sling TV lawsuit over passes
Disney and Dish have requested a 30-day extension to stay a lawsuit regarding Sling TV's former subscription passes as settlement discussions continue. The legal dispute involves allegations of licensing agreement violations and antitrust claims following Dish's recent emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Key Takeaways
- Dish emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy on October 1 and assumed Disney programming agreements worth $267.4 million.
- Sling TV recently discontinued its day, weekend, and week-long subscription passes during the peak of the NFL and college football seasons.
- Dish filed counterclaims accusing Disney of illegal tying and attempting to monopolize the skinny sports bundle market through its Fubo acquisition.
- Warner Bros. Discovery previously filed a similar lawsuit against Dish but dropped the case in April.
Why It Matters
A settlement would resolve a high-stakes dispute over how MVPDs can package and sell premium sports content. By challenging Sling TV's short-term passes, Disney is asserting strict control over the duration and pricing of its linear assets in the digital space. This case highlights the ongoing tension between programmers protecting traditional licensing revenue and distributors attempting to innovate with flexible, low-cost entry points for cord-cutters. The outcome will likely dictate the boundaries of skinny bundle experimentation for other virtual providers. Watch for a formal court filing by mid-November to see if the parties reach a definitive agreement or return to litigation.
In short
Disney and Dish have requested a 30-day stay in their ongoing lawsuit regarding Sling TV’s discontinued short-term subscription passes. The legal conflict involves allegations of licensing agreement violations and antitrust concerns. A settlement would resolve this high-stakes dispute, potentially setting new boundaries for how distributors package and sell premium sports content.
FAQ
Why are Disney and Dish seeking a stay in their lawsuit?
The parties have requested a 30-day stay to engage in settlement negotiations regarding the dispute over Sling TV's discontinued short-term subscription passes.
What are the core allegations in the Disney and Dish lawsuit?
Disney alleges that Sling TV's short-term passes violated licensing agreements, while Dish has filed counterclaims accusing Disney of illegal tying and attempting to monopolize the skinny sports bundle market.
What happened to Dish's bankruptcy status?
Dish emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy on October 1 and assumed Disney programming agreements valued at $267.4 million.
Did Warner Bros. Discovery have a similar lawsuit against Dish?
Yes, Warner Bros. Discovery previously filed a similar lawsuit against Dish but dropped the case in April.
Read full article at cablefax.com
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