Overview
- Dish filed antitrust and breach-of-contract counterclaims on Jan. 2 in the Southern District of New York, targeting Disney and ESPN over Sling TV’s short-term Sling Passes.
- Dish alleges illegal tying by conditioning access to ESPN on carrying lower-value channels and claims Disney denied Sling most-favored-nation terms extended to rivals.
- The counterclaims ask for unspecified damages, a ruling that Disney and ESPN violated U.S. antitrust laws, and injunctions to unwind Disney’s Fubo acquisition and the ESPN‑Fox One bundle.
- Dish says Disney is moving to corner the skinny sports bundle market through ESPN Unlimited and restrictive contracts, while acknowledging some Sling Pass promotions inaccurately said “no subscription.”
- A judge in November denied Disney’s bid to block Sling Passes, which remain available, and Disney calls Dish’s new claims meritless as the case continues in S.D.N.Y.