Big news! Disney has filed a lawsuit against Dish Network, alleging that the company’s streaming service, Sling TV, is violating its distribution agreements by offering ultra-short-term pay-TV packages.
The legal action comes in response to Sling TV’s recent introduction of flexible “pass” options, which launched two weeks ago and allow viewers to access live TV for as little as 24 hours, or for a single weekend or week. While the packages were designed to give subscribers more viewing flexibility, Disney and ESPN claim the offerings breach existing programming agreements.
A New Disney Lawsuit Emerges
Disney spoke out on the issue yesterday. “Sling TV’s new offerings, which they made available without our knowledge or consent, violate the terms of our existing license agreement,” a Disney representative said in a statement. “We have asked the court to require Dish to comply with our deal when it distributes our programming.”
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeks to have Dish remove Disney-owned networks from the short-term packages until the dispute is resolved. The move underscores ongoing tensions between traditional media companies and emerging streaming models that prioritize flexible, short-term access.
Sling Dismisses Disney’s Claims
Sling TV, meanwhile, has dismissed the lawsuit as “meritless” and confirmed that it will “vigorously defend our right” to offer viewers flexible pay-TV options. The service insists that its new packages fall within the bounds of its existing agreements.
The case could have wider implications for how traditional licensing contracts adapt to a growing demand for a la carte and short-term streaming options. For now, Disney’s networks remain accessible through Sling TV’s standard subscription tiers, but the availability of the new short-term passes could be in jeopardy depending on the court’s ruling.
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