Disney Takes Legal Action Against Dish Network Over New Mini Bundles

Disney has filed a lawsuit against Dish Network's Sling TV over its new mini bundles, which allow subscribers to watch channels for 24 hours, weekends, or a week at lower costs. Disney claims the offerings violate existing distribution license agreements and was not consulted before launch. Sling TV calls the lawsuit "meritless" and says the new passes offer more flexibility for viewers. Disney's stock has marginally increased, while Dish Network's has risen 7%.

The Walt Disney Co. has filed a lawsuit against Dish Network's Sling TV, alleging that the pay-TV service's new mini bundles violate existing distribution license agreements. Disney claims that Sling TV included its networks in the short-term packages without prior consent [1].

The mini bundles, introduced earlier this month, allow subscribers to access Sling TV's full channel lineup for 24 hours, weekends, or a week at significantly lower costs. These packages start at $4.99, a fraction of the usual minimum monthly subscription fee of $45.99 [1]. The new offerings were rolled out during the start of college football and the NFL season, targeting consumers looking for flexible viewing options.

Disney argues that Sling TV's move contradicts decades of precedent in the pay-TV business, where long-term contracts were the norm. The company has requested the court to enforce compliance with their existing license agreement [1].

Sling TV, however, has described the lawsuit as "meritless" and maintains that the new passes offer more flexibility for viewers. A Sling representative did not immediately respond to Deadline's request for comment on the lawsuit [1].

The lawsuit has had a marginal impact on Disney's stock, while Dish Network's stock has risen by 7% since the announcement [1].

References:
[1] https://deadline.com/2025/08/disney-sues-sling-tv-mini-bundles-violate-carriage-deal-terms-1236498333/