Disney isn’t happy with Sling TV’s latest experiment. The company has filed a lawsuit against the Dish-owned live TV streamer, claiming its new short-term streaming passes violate their licensing deal.
Earlier this month, Sling TV rolled out a new set of passes that let viewers buy access to cable networks for just one day, a weekend, or a week. Prices start as low as $5, giving fans a chance to tune into a single sports game, an award show, or another big event without committing to a full subscription. The lineup even includes heavy hitters like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, and the Disney Channel.
But Disney says Sling crossed a line. According to a report from Deadline, the lawsuit, filed under seal, alleges that Sling bundled Disney-owned networks into these short-term packages without approval. Under their licensing agreement, Disney states that Sling and Dish are only supposed to offer its channels through monthly subscriptions.
Louis Eriakha
“Sling TV’s new offerings, which they made available without our knowledge or consent, violate the terms of our existing license agreement,” a Disney spokesperson told Deadline. The company has demanded that Sling pull its channels from the new passes.
Sling, on the other hand, is pushing back hard. In a statement to The Verge, Sling TV spokesperson Ted Wietecha dismissed Disney’s claims as “meritless,” insisting the company will “vigorously defend our right to bring customers a viewing experience that fits their lives, on their schedule and on their terms.”
The battle highlights the ongoing tug-of-war between traditional media giants and streaming services over the extent of freedom customers actually have when it comes to watching live TV.
