Disney and Sony have reached a multi-year agreement for the post-pay-1 launch window, a pact that will end Spider Man and other major franchises eligible for Disney + distribution for the first time.
The flagship streaming service and Hulu are among the many platforms covered by the agreement, which the official announcement called “unprecedented”. A number of platforms are involved under the Disney tent, including ABC, FX, Freeform. No specific plans for Disney + have been finalized yet, but Marvel fans were wondering when Spidey and others will appear alongside the rest of the streaming stable. For complicated legal reasons, the franchise was not a full member of the Disney-controlled Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The related story
“Floor is Lava” renewed for season 2 on Netflix
Film releases from 2022 to 2026 will move to Disney after their release on Netflix, which earlier this month announced an agreement with Sony for an exclusive co-production right, as well as co-production rights for live-streaming movies.
The financial conditions were not disclosed in the statement, and the companies refused to comment on any dollar figures. A person familiar with the pact estimated the combined total value of Netflix and Disney transactions at over $ 3 billion.
Library rights to franchises as well Spider Man, Jumanji, Hotel Transilvania and others are part of the package.
The official announcement said the deal “offers Disney enormous programming potential on its platforms and makes them key destinations for a robust Spider-Man movie collection.” Hulu will also receive a “significant number” of library titles starting in June.
Linear networks joining the new offering include ABC, Disney Channels, Freeform, FX and National Geographic. FX and Sony have been working for years, and Disney’s general agreement manages to conclude a previous “post-pay-1” agreement with FX. Universal, another key provider for FX, has recently ended its long-term relationship with FX, so Sony’s ongoing stock offering is a boost to its widely distributed pay-TV network.
“This agnostic, multi-year platform agreement guarantees the Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution team a tremendous amount of flexibility and a wide range of programming opportunities to benefit from Sony’s rich list of award-winning action and family movies. our direct to consumers. and linear channels, ”said Chuck Saftler, chief operating officer for ABC, Freeform, FX Networks and DMED Network Acquisitions. Saftler, a key architect of FX transactions, played a key role in the negotiations. “This is a win-win for fans who will benefit from the ability to access the best content from two of Hollywood’s most prolific studios, across a multitude of viewing platforms and experiences.”
Keith Le Goy, president of global distribution and networking for Sony Pictures Entertainment, called it a “revolutionary deal.” “It cements a key part of our film distribution strategy,” he added, “which is to maximize the value of each of our films by making them available to consumers in all windows, with a wide range of key partners.”
In a note to employees, SPE film group chairman Tom Rothman said the Netflix and Sony transactions “reflect the exceptional and unique value of the cultural impact films we make and market. There is nothing like the remarkable picture of Sony Pictures available for free on the modern market, and the demand for it is consequently robust. ”