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Disney and YouTube Settle Lawsuit Over Hiring of Executive Justin Connolly as Carriage Deadline Looms

The deal calls for completion of specified conditions within 45 days before a dismissal is filed by Jan. 5, 2026.

Overview

  • Disney and YouTube filed a Notice of Settlement of Entire Case in Los Angeles Superior Court resolving the breach-of-contract dispute over Connolly.
  • YouTube has not disclosed terms, Disney confirmed the settlement, and the court set a dismissal checkpoint for Jan. 5, 2026, with details kept confidential.
  • The settlement specifies that dismissal is contingent on completion of agreed conditions within 45 days, with the court retaining enforcement jurisdiction if needed.
  • In June, Judge James C. Chalfant denied Disney’s emergency bid to block Connolly’s move as YouTube told the court he would be walled off from Disney negotiations and bound by confidentiality.
  • Connolly left Disney in May despite a 2025–27 contract to become YouTube’s global head of media and sports, and the settlement arrives as separate YouTube TV–Disney carriage talks face a Thursday night deadline that could otherwise risk a blackout.