Disney has filed a lawsuit against Sling TV parent company Dish Network over Sling’s newly-announced “Day Pass” offerings, which would provide short-term access to channels like ESPN and ESPN2, late Tuesday in U.S. District Court in New York, according to Front Office Sports. The lawsuit comes as Disney-owned ESPN is promotiing its new direct-to-consumer service, […]
Disney has filed a lawsuit against Sling TV parent company Dish Network over Sling’s newly-announced “Day Pass” offerings, which would provide short-term access to channels like ESPN and ESPN2, late Tuesday in U.S. District Court in New York, according to Front Office Sports.
The lawsuit comes as Disney-owned ESPN is promotiing its new direct-to-consumer service, which could allegedly be undercut by Sling TV’s new “Day Pass” plan. The ESPN networks are being marketed in Sling TV packages in 24-hour blocks for just $4.99, with a weekend option and weeklong option going for $9.99 and $14.99, respectively.
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Each of those plans would seemingly create direct competition to ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer product, which costs $29.99 per month in an unbundled bases. But in the lawsuit, Disney is alleging the new “Sling Orange” offerings “run afoul of their existing distribution agreement and was introduces without prior notification or agreement,” according to FOS. A normal Sling TV subscription will run a household $45.99 per month.
“Sling TV’s new offerings, which they made available without our knowledge or consent, violate the terms of our existing license agreement,” Disney said in a statement, according to FOS. “We have asked the court to require Dish to comply with our deal when it distributes our programming.”
For their part, Sling TV dismissed Disney’s claim.
“We are aware of what has been filed and believe Disney’s lawsuit is meritless,” Sling TV wrote in a statement to FOS.. “We will vigorously defend our right to bring consumers a viewing experience that fits their lives, on their schedule, and on their terms. We are excited about our new pass subscriptions and the overwhelmingly positive response we’ve received from fans looking for simple, affordable ways to enjoy the content they love.”
This suit comes at the same time YouTube TV and FOX Sports are entrenched in a carriage dispute in the days leading up to Week 1 of the 2025 college football season.
Fox Sports, YouTube TV locked in carriage dispute ahead of college football, NFL season
Just days before the college football season begins, another television disagreement takes center stage. According to Austin Karp of SBJ, there is an “impasse” between FOX and YouTube TV regarding a potential deal between the two. This would mean channels such as FOX, FS1, and Big Ten Network would be dropped from YouTube TV’s lineup.
“It wouldnt be football season with some sort of carriage impasse,” Karp said via X. “Fox and YouTube TV (Google) apparently at an impasse regarding a deal. Fox/FS1/BTN getting dropped would obviously be a big deal for NFL, MLB, college football fans.”
While there is some time to iron things out before NFL games get underway, the same cannot be said about college football. FOX is set to host one of Week 1’s best showdowns, as the Texas Longhorns travel up to Columbus to face the Ohio State Buckeyes. Big Noon Kickoff will also be in town before Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, and Jenny Taft have the call from inside the Shoe.
YouTube TV says the previously listed channels will be taken off if an agreement with the network cannot be reached by 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday. From there, just over 48 hours until the Auburn-Baylor kickoff from McLane Stadium.
— On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.
Category: General Sports
