
Sony Pictures' is strengthening its presence in major streaming platforms in a bid to cover more viewers as the pandemic continues to change viewing habits from across the globe.
The company has struck a multi-year agreement with Disney, granting the giant media and entertainment company the rights to screen its upcoming and old titles on its streaming channels.
Disney owns multiple streaming platforms, namely, Disney+ and Hulu, as well as TV channels such as ABC, Disney Channels, Freeform, FX and National Geographic.
Under the agreement, Disney platforms will carry Sony's 2022-26 theatrical releases which include Marvel's “Spider-Man” and “Venom” series as well as “Morbius,” “Uncharted,” and “Bullet Train,” among others.
The deal also includes rights to a chunk of Sony franchises including “Jumanji” and “Hotel Transylvania” and Marvel films, boosting Disney's roster and programming for years to come.
The financial terms of the partnership have not been disclosed by both parties.
Prior to the Disney deal, Sony has inked a mega-deal with Netflix for the platform to screen its titles after their theatrical runs for an exclusive 18-month period.
This means that Disney will only get to carry the movies after the Netflix window has lapsed.
On the surface, the Netflix deal looks stronger since they will have the first crack to stream these new movies after the theaters.
Industry players, however, argue that Disney is in a more advantageous position since they will get to keep the films in their catalog for a longer period of time.
“This landmark multiyear, 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,” commented Chuck Saftler, head of business operations for ABC, Freeform, FX Networks and Acquisitions in DMED's Networks division.
He added, “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.”
Keith Le Goy, president, worldwide distribution and networks, Sony Pictures Entertainment, said that this latest move falls in line with the studio's goal to make their titles accessible to more viewers.
“This groundbreaking agreement reconfirms the unique and enduring value of our movies to film lovers and the platforms and networks that serve them,” he said.
“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.”