Disney Moves to Toss TV Streamers’ Proposed Antitrust Class Suit

Walt Disney Co. moved to dismiss a proposed class action brought by TV streamers who allege the entertainment conglomerate violated antitrust laws through agreements that led to subscription price hikes.

The plaintiffs, YouTube and DirecTV subscribers, failed to sufficiently allege Disney’s agreements unreasonably restrained trade, Disney said in its motion to dismiss the amended complaint Friday in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.

Disney’s control of streaming giant Hulu and ESPN has allowed it to negotiate contracts for the sports network and related channels, resulting in significant power over TV streaming market prices, the plaintiffs allege. ...