Disney and Comcast agree to 10-year streaming and video-on-demand deal

The Walt Disney Company and Comcast have reportedly signed a 10-year deal that will give subscribers to Comcast’s Xfinity service access to programs through its video-on-demand service, OnDemand, as well as streaming rights on mobile devices.

The Wrap reports that the deal will make the content, which includes ABC, Disney Channel and ESPN programs, available to all 22.8 million Xfinity subscribers. The move actually strengthens the relationship between Comcast and ABC, despite the fact that Comcast owns ABC’s rival network, NBC, since it purchased NBCUniversal.

In addition to making content available on the OnDemand service, the deal also gives Comcast streaming rights on new platforms such as mobile devices.

Businessweek reports that the deal also includes a new Disney Channel called Disney Junior, that will feature programming made for preschoolers.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, exact financial details of the agreement were not released, although it may be similar to a 10-year agreement that Comcast had also signed with CBS Corp. in the past.

In a statement, Neil Smit, chief executive of Comcast Cable, called the agreement “unprecedented and innovative,” according to The Los Angeles Times. Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media Networks, called the deal an example of what “...can be achieved when programmers and distributors collaborate and innovate together to meet the ever-evolving needs of consumers and enhance the viewing experience.”

The entire agreement will cover a total of 70 services, with license fees that will be slowly phased in. In addition to ABC, Disney Channel and ESPN content, programs from local ABC-owned stations like WABC-TV in New York and Chicago’s WLS-TV will also be included, reports the Los Angeles Times.