Dish Network claimed that Univision "undercut the value of a licensing deal" by streaming football matches on Facebook, according to Eriq Gardner of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. The satellite broadcaster is suing Univision for allegedly "breaching contract" in N.Y. federal court. The complaint was "originally filed under seal earlier this month." Last week, a redacted copy of the complaint was made public and revealed that Dish is "aiming for a permanent injunction restraining Univision and its affiliates from allowing programming to be distributed via Facebook Live or for free via other internet or wireless services." Much of the complaint focuses on the benefit to Dish of distributing Liga MX matches. Dish said that these matches are "a major viewing attraction" for Hispanic-American TV audiences -- "one might compare it to the National Football League in terms of the interest it generates." Beginning on Feb. 18, according to the complaint, Univision began streaming the matches "while at the same time airing them live on its broadcast network." Dish said that the Facebook streams will "make it less likely to attract subscriptions" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 7/28).
