Disney is suing Sling TV over its new streaming passes that give you access to live cable networks for as little as one day. The lawsuit, filed under seal, claims Sling violated the terms of its licensing agreement with Disney and included its networks in the short-term packages without permission, according to a report from Deadline.
The Dish-owned Sling TV announced one-day, one-weekend, and one-week streaming passes earlier this month, which start at $5 and let you watch content on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Disney Channel, and other networks for a short period of time. Sling TV is positioning the passes as a way for people to catch one-off sporting events or award shows without getting locked into a subscription to cable or pricey live TV streaming services.
As reported by Variety, Disney alleges the streaming passes go against its current licensing agreement, which states that Sling TV and Dish must provide subscribers with access to its content through monthly subscriptions. “Sling TV’s new offerings, which they made available without our knowledge or consent, violate the terms of our existing license agreement,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. Disney has asked Sling TV to remove its channels from the streaming passes.
In a statement to Deadline, Sling TV calls Disney’s lawsuit “meritless” and says that it will “vigorously defend our right to bring customers a viewing experience that fits their lives, on their schedule and on their terms.” Neither Sling TV nor Disney immediately responded to The Verge’s request for comment.
