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.”
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Day pass: $4.99 for 24 hours of access
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Weekend pass: A few dollars more for expanded coverage
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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.
