Dish Countersues Disney as Sling Passes Battle Intensifies
The Walt Disney Company finds itself in the middle of another major media battle, this time over the launch of Dish Network’s limited-time passes for Sling TV.
As a quick recap, to meet consumer demand in an increasingly competitive market, Sling introduced its Day Pass, Weekend Pass, and Week Pass, allowing users to tailor the length of their subscription to their viewing needs.
Photo: Rolling Stone
While the slim packages are a win for consumers, they pose challenges for companies like Disney, which have long leveraged their most popular networks to require carriers to also carry their niche channels.
Disney Files Suit
After Sling TV introduced its new short-term passes, Disney filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, arguing that the new Sling packages violated the terms of its distribution agreement with Sling’s parent company, Dish Network.
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Now, the battle between Disney and Dish is heating up.
Dish’s Counterclaim
According to a new report from Variety, Dish has filed a federal antitrust counterclaim against Disney and ESPN.
Walt Disney Company
In their latest filing, Dish argues that it “had no contractual obligation to consult” when launching the new Sling Passes.
Disney, Dish continued, is leveraging its place in the television market to “destroy competition,” violating the Sherman Act by only allowing distributors access to stations like ESPN if they carry “low value” channels that customers don’t want.
Photo: ESPN
Finally, Dish argues that Disney’s recent acquisition of Fubo and the launch of its ESPN-Fox One bundle violate antitrust laws.
Photo: Miriam-Webster
By purchasing Fubo, they said, Disney “effectively hoards consumer-friendly sports options for itself and blocks alternative skinny bundles.”
What Dish Wants
In their countersuit, Dish is seeking monetary damages and an injunction to “unwind” Disney’s acquisition of Fubo and its ESPN-Fox One bundle.
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