Sky and Disney are developing a new premium channel that will screen new and classic movies from the Disney/Pixar studio.
The creation of Sky Movies Disney is part of a wide-ranging output deal that also includes the renewal of the existing Disney Channels on the Sky platform.
Available in the UK and Ireland, and launching ahead of the Easter holidays on March 28, 2013, it is the first time that Disney has been involved in a co-branded movie channel anywhere in the world.
Virgin Media has confirmed that it will also be offering the new channel.
“The launch of Sky Movies Disney is great news for our customers and builds on the strong relationship that Sky and Disney have enjoyed for more than 20 years,” said Jeremy Darroch, chief executive, BSkyB. “ This is a world-first collaboration that will excite millions of families and further strengthen our market-leading movies service.”
Sky Movies Disney will show recent hits including Brave, Tinker Bell: Secret of the Wings and Wreck-It Ralph in their first pay-TV window. Future releases that will be available include Oz: The Great and Powerful, Monsters University and The Lone Ranger. The new movies will be available on Sky Movies Disney from around six months after they have ended their run in cinemas and will be exclusive to Sky Movies for at least a year.
Alongside new releases, Sky Movies Disney will also offer an extensive library of classic Disney films, including Bambi and Pinocchio, as well as Disney/Pixar animated favourites such as Finding Nemo, Cars and A Bug’s Life. Live action titles such as Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and National Treasure will also be available.
“Through the launch of Sky Movies Disney, we will offer viewers our broadest range yet of popular current and classic Disney and Disney/Pixar films, featuring many of our much-loved stories and characters. Building on the strong performance of our movies and Disney Channels in the UK and Ireland, this agreement will not only increase the range of Disney entertainment being made available, but also the devices and platforms that viewers will be able to enjoy them on,” said Catherine Powell, senior vice president/general manager, media distribution, Disney EMEA.
In addition to the linear channel, broadcast in standard and high definition, all of the titles will be available on Sky Go across smartphones, tablets, laptops and MacBooks. Sky’s new internet TV service, NOW TV, is also included and titles will be shown in 3D on the Sky 3D channel when such a version is available.
Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior – which will continue to be made available to Sky customers, alongside a new HD version of Disney Junior, launching in April.
A dedicated section of Sky’s on demand service will also launch.
