Disney agrees to pay $50M over claims it made TV advertising more expensive

The complaint sought class action certification and a jury trial. Instead, the parties agreed to a divorce in March (PDF). The court approved the agreement later that month. Final approval is expected on January 14, as first reported this week by an Alabama reporter. AL.com.

Under the settlement agreement, Disney agreed to pay $50 million. Customers eligible to receive the direct offer purchased YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, DirecTV Now, and/or AT&T TV Now subscriptions between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2026.

Disney admits no wrongdoing under the contract. It also agreed to “consider” offering retailers that it is negotiating the option to offer their subscribers limited Disney channels, including ESPN, for three years after final approval of the deal.

However, according to the language of the agreement, Disney does not appear important to offer the cheapest or the thinnest bundles of its films. Also, Disney can pay up to $50 million, considering that it made $4.6 billion in total operating income in its most recent quarter. However, for concerned users who feel insulted by Disney’s behavior, a formal agreement may provide a sense of justice.

Disney did not immediately respond to Ars Technica’s request for comment.