Disney has signed a multi-year deal with Sony Pictures, through which it will release its content on its streaming platforms. “This landmark multi-year, platform-agnostic agreement guarantees the team at Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution a tremendous amount of flexibility and breadth of programming possibilities to leverage Sony’s rich slate of award-winning action and family films across our direct-to-consumer services and linear channels,” said Chuck Saftler, head of Business Operations for ABC, Freeform, FX Networks, and Acquisitions in DMED’s Networks division, who played a key role in the negotiations.
The move was made following Sony's decision to sign a similar high-profile distribution deal with Netflix earlier this month. The companies confirmed that theatrical releases from 2022-26 are covered by the deal, with Disney gaining access following their Pay 1 TV window. In effect, Sony has outlined its movie release strategy as such: films will first be released in cinemas, then made available via paid rentals and purchases, followed by Netflix for an exclusive 18-month period, and then finally to Disney’s streaming services such as Hulu and Disney+.
For older properties, Disney will have access to the movies as soon as June, a release from the companies announced. Disney will also be buoyed by gaining access to the Spider-Man franchise which is owned by Sony but is a part of its gargantuan Marvel Cinematic Universe empire. “This groundbreaking agreement reconfirms the unique and enduring value of our movies to film lovers and the platforms and networks that serve them,” said Keith Le Goy, president, Worldwide Distribution and Networks, Sony Pictures Entertainment. “We are thrilled to team up with Disney on delivering our titles to their viewers and subscribers. This agreement cements a key piece of our film distribution strategy, which is to maximize the value of each of our films, by making them available to consumers across all windows with a wide range of key partners.”
For Sony’s part, the deals with Netflix and Disney more or less confirm that the PlayStation maker has no intention of following the likes of WarnerMedia, NBCUniversal and ViacomCBS in launching its own premium streaming service. “This is a win for fans, who will benefit from the ability to access the very best content from two of Hollywood’s most prolific studios across a multitude of viewing platforms and experiences,” Saftler said.