Disney Initiates Legal Action Against Sling TV Regarding New Temporary TV Passes


Sling TV has rolled out temporary bundles for budget-friendly TV viewing, but Disney has initiated a lawsuit against them, alleging that these offerings infringe upon their licensing agreement. As reported by Deadline, Disney has filed legal action against Sling TV regarding its new “Day Pass” feature, which grants users 24-hour access to live TV channels for as low as $4.99, with options for extended viewing. One of the included channels is ESPN, a significant asset for Disney. Disney contends that these bundles contravene their current carriage agreement with Sling. Disney remarked, “Sling TV’s latest offerings, made available without our approval, violate our license agreement stipulations,” and has asked the court to mandate compliance by Dish, Sling’s parent organization. Disney also asserted that Sling did not reach out to them prior to introducing these passes. The model is distinctly different from traditional cable offerings, enabling users to pay $5 to watch specific events such as a football game. College football, mainly broadcast on Disney networks, is set to start this weekend. Sling informed Deadline that it stands by its choice to launch the passes and plans to mount a defense. Those who are interested in these passes should seize the opportunity while they last.