Netflix, Disney deal start date revealed

Netflix’s exclusive agreement for Disney’s movie titles in the US will begin this fall after an almost four-year wait.

Ted Sarandos

The deal, signed in December 2012 to come into effect this year, will see the US SVoD service become the exclusive US pay TV home of the latest films from Disney and its offshoots Marvel, Lucasfilm and Pixar.

In a blog post, Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said the deal will kick in from September.

The agreement covers all Disney films released in theatres since the start of 2016, meaning the latest Star Wars Film – The Force Awakens – will not feature on the service.

US channel Starz currently has the output rights to Disney titles in the States and will therefore have streaming rights to the blockbuster film.

Disney’s 2016 movie slate includes Zootopia, The Jungle Book, Captain America: Civil War, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Finding Dory, The BFG, Pete’s Dragon, Doctor Strange, Moana and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

The timing of the deal marks a huge coup for Netflix, which is pushing to take an increasing number of exclusive licences to compete with Amazon and Hulu.

In related news, Netflix is prepping an original Japanese drama series to launch in 190 territories simultaneously this October.

Midnight Diner is based on the comic book of the same name by Yaro Abe that sold more than 3 million copies in Japan. It will launch on October 21.