DEAL
8:15 AM PDT 06/25/2020
by
Georg Szalai
“The Walt Disney Company remains committed to the business of our children’s channels and continues to execute distribution agreements for Disney channels in many markets where Disney + is also available.”
Walt Disney Co. will close its three linear channels in the UK this fall and move content to the Disney + streaming service.
Starting October 1, Disney + will become the UK’s exclusive home for content from the Disney Channel, DisneyXD and Disney Junior, the company said Thursday.
Attracting more than 54.5 million subscribers worldwide in its first seven months, the direct-to-consumer service will now premiere all the latest movies, series and specials from all three Disney channels, in addition to offering a rich and expansive subsequent catalog of Disney Channel Titles in the UK, including mickey mouse club, Descendants 3 and Phineas and Ferb“Disney said.
The Hollywood conglomerate added: “The Walt Disney Company remains committed to the business of our children’s channels and continues to execute distribution agreements for Disney channels in many markets where Disney + is also available, with the goal of providing our fans with multiple entry points to our narrative. “
A representative of Comcast-owned pay-TV giant Sky UK, which earlier this year struck a distribution deal for Disney +, said: “We have over 5,000 episodes of on-demand content alongside our brilliant linear channels. , from our partners Viacom and Turner, and we are also investing more in our own Sky Kids originals, such as Moominvalley and Morph. Children can see favorites like Peppa Pig and Paw patrol, Sponge Bob Square Pants and the Amazing World of Gumball, all the wonderful LEGO content and much, much more. And it’s all available in one place, along with the best apps, like Disney + and Netflix, at [premium pay TV service] Sky Q. “
One analyst suggested that it had become more difficult for Disney and its distribution partners in Britain to reach transportation deals for the company’s three children’s networks that make financial sense for both parties, making consolidation of content for channels is the next logical step.
PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore called the UK news “a historic moment” and explained: “The transmission revolution is picking up pace and cannot be ignored. Companies can no longer continue to support a large number of channels and cannibalize revenue streams. The future is about streaming and this latest move sets a benchmark for others to follow suit. “
Alex Ritman contributed to this report.
