Comcast is one step closer its VOD nirvana: it will do a deal with Walt Disney for such shows as “Desperate Housewives” and “World News with Charles Gibson,” reports WSJ. CBS did so a year ago, and NBC followed in March.
The broader deal includes Comcast’s purchase of Disney’s broadcast and cable programming, including ABC, ESPN, and the Disney Channel, for more than $1 billion a year. It also gives Comcast rights to use Disney promotional content on its high-speed Internet portal Comcast.net.
Some parts of the deal:
—ABC will make “Lost” and “Desperate Housewives” available on-demand for free, along with two other new prime-time shows to be agreed upon in the future
—Programming from Disney cable networks as ESPN, the Disney Channel and Toon Disney will be available on demand for the first time.
—Disney movies will be made available for a fee, including “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” and “The Guardian.” Disney has agreed to release some of its movies to Comcast as early as 15 days after the release to retail stores.
—Initially, the ABC on-demand content will be available only in those markets in which Disney owns the ABC station.
Related:
—CBS Drops VOD Charges On Comcast; Revenues Guarantee From Cable Co.
—ABC, Fox On Comcast VOD Soon; Joins NBC, CBS On Next Day Sale
—NBC Universal Shows On VOD on Comcast; Non-Prime Time Free