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.

Why the Short-Term Model Matters

Attorney David Yohai, representing Warner Bros. Discovery, argued in the complaint:
“The passes fundamentally disrupt this industry-standard model by allowing customers to purchase access to the most sought-after programming, such as major sports events, essentially a la carte for a fraction of the cost.”

• Day pass: $4.99 for 24 hours of access

• Weekend pass: A few dollars more for expanded coverage

• Week pass: Full access without a long-term contract

These options allow sports fans to watch key events—such as NFL games or the U.S. Open—without paying for an entire month or costly pay-per-view.

Disney Filed Similar Lawsuit

The lawsuit mirrors a recent filing from Disney, which accused Dish of launching the short-term bundles without consultation. Disney argued that Sling ambushed its partners to capitalize on the start of the NFL and college football seasons.

Both companies are seeking damages and injunctions to block Dish from continuing these offerings.

Sling TV Defends Its Consumer-First Strategy

Dish Network, through parent company Echostar, defended its decision, calling Sling TV’s innovation a direct challenge to outdated pricing structures.

“Sling has broken the mold of expensive, rigid bundles with flexible Sling Orange Day, Weekend and Week Pass subscriptions – pay-as-you-want instant access,” the company said. “This customer-first model challenges the old guard’s outdated pricing playbook, exposing their dependence on market power and resistance to change.”

Sling also highlighted its 2021 app redesign, which introduced a personalization engine across devices like Amazon Fire TV, offering viewers more control over their entertainment experience.

Industry at a Crossroads

The clash signals a broader battle over how consumers will pay for live sports and entertainment in the streaming era. Short-term subscriptions could become a disruptive force, giving viewers flexibility while potentially upending media giants’ subscription revenue models.

As Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney push back, the courts will now decide whether Sling TV’s innovation marks the future of streaming—or a breach of longstanding industry rules.

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