Warner Bros. Discovery has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Dish Network’s Sling TV, alleging that its new short-term bundles violate existing licensing agreements. The lawsuit, filed under seal in New York federal court, comes after Sling rolled out a first-of-its-kind program ahead of the college football season.
The offerings allowed users to buy daily, weekend, or weekly passes for a fraction of a monthly subscription cost.
Sling TV Lawsuit Sparks Streaming Industry Clash
According to Sling TV, a day pass priced at just $4.99 included access to major networks such as TNT, CNN, and ESPN. While consumers embraced the flexibility, Warner Bros. Discovery and other media giants argue it disrupts the traditional subscription-based business model.
Warner Bros. Discovery spokespersons stressed, “While we value our partnership with DISH, this program violates the terms of our agreement. We hope this issue is quickly and amicably resolved.”
The dispute centers on whether Sling’s “pay-as-you-want” model undermines the studios’ revenue streams. Traditionally, companies like Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney rely on monthly subscriptions to justify costly sports and entertainment rights.
