RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Millions of current and former YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream subscribers have less than two weeks left to claim a share of a $50 million class action settlement involving The Walt Disney Company.
Biddle v. The Walt Disney Company is an antitrust lawsuit alleging that Disney's programming practices helped drive up the cost of streaming live television services.
Eligible customers have just days to submit a claim for compensation by September 8.
Disney has denied wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement to resolve the claims.
The settlement could affect millions of households that subscribed to YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream during the nearly seven-year class period.
While individual payments are expected to vary, consumers who do not submit a claim before the deadline will forfeit any cash benefit available through the settlement.
The case is also one of the largest recent settlements tied to allegations that media companies used their market power to influence the cost of streaming television packages.
The lawsuit, Heather Biddle, et al. v. The Walt Disney Company, was filed in federal court in California and accused Disney of violating federal and state antitrust laws through business practices that allegedly increased prices for Streaming Live Pay Television services.
Plaintiffs argued Disney used its leverage over highly sought-after programming, particularly ESPN and related sports content, to require distributors to include those channels in base packages, limiting the ability of streaming providers to offer lower-cost alternatives.
“It's important for those customers to understand you do have to submit a claim by September 8 and the amount you receive will depend on the length of your subscription,” Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek .
Disney denied the allegations and denied violating any laws but agreed to a $50 million partial settlement with YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream subscribers.
Newsweek reached out to Disney and the settlement administrator for comment on whether reminder notices were recently distributed to class members.
According to the settlement website, eligible consumers may receive email or mailed notices informing them of their rights under the settlement.
The notices are intended to alert subscribers that they may qualify for compensation and explain how to file a claim before the deadline.
Consumers concerned about the legitimacy of a notice can verify information through the official settlement website, OnlineTVSettlement.com , or by contacting the settlement administrator at 1-877-704-2517.
Newsweek reached out to Disney and the settlement administrator for information on whether reminder notices were recently sent as the September deadline approaches.
Consumers do not need to be current subscribers to qualify.
Eligible customers can submit a claim for a pro-rata cash payment based in part on the length of their subscription and the number of valid claims ultimately filed.
“This case could serve as a warning that attempts to raise prices on partner providers could not just backfire with customers, but also result in legal backlash, as well,” Beene said.
The deadline to submit a claim, request exclusion from the settlement, or preserve certain legal rights is September 8.
Claims can be filed online through the settlement website or submitted by mail.
Consumers who do nothing will remain part of the settlement class but will not receive any payment.
Payments will not be issued immediately after claims are submitted.
The settlement still requires final court approval. A final approval hearing is currently scheduled for January 14, 2027.
If the settlement receives final approval and any appeals are resolved, payments will be distributed afterward. The exact amount each claimant receives will depend on several factors, including the number of approved claims and the length of each subscriber's qualifying service period.
The immediate focus for eligible subscribers is the September 8 claims deadline.
After that date, the settlement administrator will review submitted claims ahead of the January 2027 final approval hearing. If a federal judge approves the agreement and it survives any potential appeals, payments will be distributed from the settlement fund.
There also could be long-term implications for the streaming industry, Beene said.
“The era of streaming has provided an incredible amount of content for consumers, but it's also produced increased concerns over streaming providers using tactics that could hurt competition,” Beene said.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon and Gray R. Thomas
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