If you've paid for YouTube TV in the last seven years, you may be owed some cash from Disney. The company has agreed to a $50 million settlement stemming from alleged antitrust violations, which forced YouTube TV and DirecTV subscribers to pay more than they should have for their live TV streaming services. Keep an eye on your mailbox and inbox for a settlement notice—if you're eligible, you can claim a payment between now and Sept. 8.
What is the Disney settlement about?
This settlement stems from a 2022 class action lawsuit filed by YouTube TV subscribers, who allege that Disney's control over ESPN and Hulu forced streaming services (specifically those providing live TV) to raise their prices. The suit notes that Google's agreements with Disney resulted in a nearly 100% price hike—from $35 to $65—for a subscription to YouTube TV's base package. Disney agreed to settle the suit, though final approval is pending with a hearing scheduled for Jan. 14, 2027.
The Disney settlement provides cash payments for two different classes:
YouTube TV subscribers who purchased their subscription between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2026.
DirecTV live streaming customers who purchased their subscription (branded as DirecTV Stream, DirecTV Now, and/or AT&T TV Now) between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2026.
At this time, it's not clear how much each individual will receive from the settlement, though where you live (or lived) during the settlement period will be a significant factor.
According to the terms, 90% of the payouts will go to customers who resided in the following states at any time between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2026: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The remaining 10% of funds will be distributed to class members in all remaining states.
If you had subscriptions to both services, you may receive a cash payment for each, but you only need to submit one claim form. It's worth noting that payouts are likely to be small, with $50 million split among a huge group of streaming subscribers over a period of seven years.
How to submit a claim for the Disney settlement
If you are part of a settlement class for the Disney lawsuit, you can submit a claim form online. You'll need to log in using the unique ID and PIN included in your notice. From there, you'll need to provide some personal information, verify your YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream subscription and state of residence, and choose an electronic payment method (otherwise you'll receive a paper check).
What do you think so far?
If you didn't receive a notice but believe you're eligible for a payout, you can contact the administrator via email at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can print a PDF version and return it by mail to the following address:
Biddle v. Disney
Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 4720
Portland, OR 97208-4720
Claim forms must be completed online or postmarked by Sept. 8, 2026.