There’s no one who isn’t disappointed by the cost of YouTube TV and similar services, but prices continue to rise. In a small victory, YouTube TV subscribers who sued Disney over its role in driving up the cost of streaming won the case, with Disney paying $50 million.
It just won’t change your account.
as ArsTechnica reports that a group of YouTube TV subscribers filed a complaint against Disney in late 2022 over the company’s role in raising the cost of streaming live TV services like YouTube TV and Disney’s own Hulu + Live TV. The suit accused Disney of entering into “anti-competitive agreements” by requiring its partners to distribute ESPN in base packages, which in turn raises the price of those packages.
The complaint states in part:
… these carriage contract mandates – which now cover all of Disney’s leading competitors in the SLPTV Market – allow Disney to use ESPN and Hulu to set the price floor in the SLPTV Market and inflate prices throughout the market by raising the prices of its products. That’s exactly what Disney has been doing for the past three years since taking operational control of Hulu.
The complaint was made around the time of YouTube TV the price rose to $65a huge increase from the original $35 price tag after adding Disney-owned channels, including the aforementioned ESPN. 2021 during the disputeYouTube TV effectively (but not publicly) said its core service would be $15 cheaper without Disney programming.
In a tweet at the timeYouTube TV pointed out that networks requiring the carriage of a “full portfolio of channels” increase the “total cost of service”.
While Disney has admitted no wrongdoing, the media giant has agreed to pay $50 million. Anyone who subscribed to YouTube TV (or DirecTV Stream, DirecTV Now and/or AT&T TV Now) between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2026 will be eligible for a portion of the settlement.
The agreement also says Disney “should consider” offering its distribution partners the option to carry fewer channels, including ESPN, such as YouTube TV, but there is no actual requirement.
It follows YouTube TV and another program from Disney A very public fight in late 2025 where the same issues were raised – YouTube TV executive Disney was called “unnecessarily aggressive.” during the negotiation process. Disney’s programming has been off the air for YouTube TV subscribers for almost two weeks until a new agreement is reached.
More on YouTube TV:
Follow me: Twitter/X, Topics, Blueskyand Instagram
FTC: We use automatic affiliate links that generate income. More.
