DirecTV Says Playboy Suit Worth $35 Million

LOS ANGELES — Playboy Enterprises Inc. plans on asking a Los Angeles Superior Court judge in October to strike portions of DirecTV's breach-of-contract suit against the adult media giant.

The suit, which DirecTV amended two weeks ago, focuses on the parties’ Amended and Restated Affiliation and Licensing Agreement, which was inked in August 2007.

DirecTV's amended suit reveals damages of $35 million, which wasn't stated in its original complaint in March.

In the complaint, DirecTV says Playboy and its Spice Hot Entertainment division promised they wouldn't negotiate better deals with other distributors but have violated that "most-favored nations" clause in their deals.

The contract allegedly provided an audit right, which DirecTV exercised last year through a PriceWaterhouseCoopers review.

"Based on what DirecTV has learned from defendants, PriceWaterhouseCoopers informed defendants that they are not in compliance with the most-favored nations clause," the suit says. "Defendants, however, have not offered DirecTV any more favorable terms for distributing defendants' programming services and have not authorized PriceWaterhouseCoopers to disclose any of the information they collected during the audit."

Citing confidentiality provisions, DirecTV does not say what the actual deal terms are. XBIZ calls to DirecTV counsel at Kirkland & Ellis went unreturned at post time.

Playboy, meanwhile, did not immediately respond to XBIZ for comment relative to the suit, but the adult media giant dismissed the complaint last week in a filing with regulators.

"The defendants have reviewed the allegations contained in the amended complaint and believe they are unfounded," Playboy said. "The defendants intend to defend this case vigorously."

The parties are slated to meet at Los Angeles Superior Court on Oct. 21. over Playboy's motion to strike.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Hookup Hotshot Adds TobyDick.com

Hookup Hotshot (HUHS) has added U.K. paysite TobyDick.com to its network.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

Leana Lovings, Shay Sights Front 'Substance' Parody From Brazzers

Leana Lovings stars with Shay Sights in the latest release from Brazzers, a parody of "The Substance.”

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Little Puck Stars in Latest Episode of 'The Bottom Floor' From Adult Time

Little Puck stars in the second episode of Adult Time series “The Bottom Floor,” titled “The Second Coming.”

Haley Spades Stars in Latest From Immoral

Haley Spades stars with Charlie Dean, Matt Bird, and Dean Van Damme in a new three-part release from Immoral Productions, directed by "Porno Dan" Leal.

Octavia Red Makes Her Vampired Debut

Octavia Red has made her Vampired debut alongside Talia Mint and 2023 XMA Europas Female Performer of the Year Tiffany Tatum in the new feature “Hunters.”

Lily Starfire Fronts Latest From Brazzers

Lily Starfire stars with Kyle Mason in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Eating Ass Is the Game."

Country Hotwife Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Content creator Country Hotwife has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint WIFEY, alongside her husband StagHubby and former XMAs Male Performer of the Year Isiah Maxwell.

Vixen Media Group Celebrates 10 Years of 'Tushy'

Vixen Media Group (VMG) is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of studio imprint Tushy.

Show More