How to Claim Your Share of the $50 Million Disney Settlement
YouTube TV and DirecTV customers now have the opportunity to claim their portion of a $50 million antitrust settlement from Disney.
A lawsuit filed in November 2022 alleged that Disney engaged in anticompetitive practices to establish a “price floor” in the television streaming subscription market.
The lawsuit claimed that ESPN, owned by the Walt Disney Company, is the most costly channel for streaming services to include in their packages. Additionally, Disney’s ownership of Hulu, a competitor of YouTube TV, was cited in the lawsuit.
According to the lawsuit, Disney’s agreements with television streaming services granted the company pricing power over the entire market. These agreements required streamers’ base bundles to feature ESPN, leading to increased costs for consumers.
On March 31, a judge granted preliminary approval to a proposed settlement in the case of Biddle v. The Walt Disney Co. in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Disney, while denying any wrongdoing, agreed to the settlement to resolve the matter.
Who is eligible for the Disney settlement?
The proposed settlement covers customers who held YouTube TV subscriptions from April 1, 2019, through March 31, 2026, as well as individuals who purchased DirecTV streaming live pay TV subscriptions during the specified period.
What is the payout for the Disney settlement?
The exact payout amount is yet to be determined. Payments will be calculated based on the number of valid claims, with the goal of fully utilizing the $50 million settlement fund.
While the settlement covers an estimated 17 million class members, the final payout per claimant is expected to be influenced by factors such as attorney fees and the claims rate, projected to be between 2% to 5% by the settlement administrator.
Payout amounts will vary based on the claimant’s state of residence, with the majority of the funds allocated to residents of states that allow for antitrust damages claims.
How can you claim the settlement?
Eligible customers must submit a claim form by September 8, either online or via mail. Payments will be distributed digitally or by check once the settlement receives final approval from the judge.
The settlement website provides the online claim form, requiring users to enter a “Unique ID” number and PIN provided in settlement notices. The entire approval process, including any potential appeals, may extend over several months or years.
