Warner Bros. Discovery is now suing Dish Network over the launch of Sling’s new ‘Day Pass’ feature. This is the second lawsuit Sling has faced over the new feature, following Disney launching its own dispute last month.
Sling launched its Day Pass plan in early August, and as part of a wider set of short-term options that allow consumers to sign up to a live TV package on a day, week, or weekend basis.
Soon after the launch of the Day, Week, and Weekend Pass options, Disney filed a lawsuit claiming approval for the new short-term plans was not sought nor given. Disney also argued the new plans violate the existing agreement between Disney and Sling.
Now, Warner Bros. Discovery is suing Sling, and for pretty much the exact same reason. Similar to Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery is arguing the new passes violate the terms of its existing distribution agreement with Sling.
“This is a breach of contract action against Dish Network L.L.C to enjoin Dish’s unauthorized distribution, transmittal, and sale of Programmers’ valuable television networks and other content as part of Dish’s new Day, Week, and Weekend Passes on its Sling TV platform,” WBD said in a court filing.
Similar to Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery’s main issue with the new short-term plans appears to be that they don’t lock subscribers into a subscription and a recurring payment.
“Importantly, the Dish affiliation agreements require that the Programming be distributed as part of a subscription service. This is because Programmers depend on monthly subscriptions to finance, acquire, develop, produce and program hundreds of different programs for their 24/7 network programming,” the filing reads.
Warner Bros. Discovery also says that the passes were launched without its consultation. Furthermore, WBD argues that “Dish’s brazen actions” will cause “irreparable harm” to the affected programmers.
Following Disney’s original lawsuit, Sling doubled-down on its Day, Week, and Weekend Pass options by issuing a press release stating the new short-term packages are good for the industry, and help to put control back in the hands of consumers.
“Our Day, Weekend and Week Pass subscriptions are just another way we’re fighting to bring customers the programming they want with the flexibility they deserve,” Sling said in a previous statement.
Whether the launch of another lawsuit will make Dish and Sling reconsider the new plans remains to be seen. In the meantime, they remain available to subscribers looking to sign up for a live TV package for as little as one day, and for as low as $4.99.
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