(qlmbusinessnews.com via theguardian.com – – Tue, 3rd Mar 2020) London, Uk – –
Service to launch in Europe this month will be integrated into Sky Q’s set top box
Disney has struck a deal with Sky to make its new streaming service available to more than 13m UK households.
Disney+, which is due to launch in the UK and much of western Europe on 24 March, is to be integrated into the Sky Q box, to be followed by Sky’s streaming service Now TV in the coming months. Disney+ is also being made available as a standalone app.
The multi-year deal is structured in a similar way to Sky’s deal with Netflix, which includes Netflix programming being included in the Sky TV and on-demand service that was renewed last month.
As part of the new deal, content from Fox, such as The Simpsons, and Hollywood films including Le Mans ’66 and Terminator: Dark Fate, will continue to be available on Sky TV and Sky Cinema as well as Disney+. Disney paid $71bn (£55bn) for Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox last year.
“We’ve built a strong partnership with Disney over three decades and we’re pleased that our customers in the UK and Ireland can continue to enjoy their world-class content – all in one place on Sky Q,” said Jeremy Darroch, group chief executive of Sky.
Sky’s deal with Disney is non-exclusive, meaning Sky’s rivals Virgin Media and BT will be able to strike distribution deals.
“We are delighted that Sky is selling the Disney+ service on their platform and, along with our other distribution partners, will deliver exceptional reach at launch,” said Kevin Mayer, chairman of Walt Disney Company’s direct-to-consumer and international business.
BT-owned telecoms company EE is expected to strike a deal to be the exclusive mobile operator to offer Disney+.
“EE looks to be in prime position given its track record in securing key premium content partnerships,” says Paolo Pescatore, media and tech analyst at PP Foresight.
Disney+, which has been cut to £49.99 for an annual subscription as an introductory offer ahead of launch, will offer content including the $100m Star Wars spin-off series The Mandalorian, Pixar hits such as Toy Story and family favourites such as Frozen 2.
The initial Disney+ offering is significantly cheaper than Netflix, which charges £7.99 a month for its most popular package, and Prime Video, which costs £79 a year.
By Mark Sweney
