Disney and Netflix Sign Broad Licensing Deal, Bringing 'Ice Age' and 'Percy Jackson' to Streaming Rival

Key points

• Disney and Netflix have entered into a new, expansive content licensing agreement.
• The deal includes all five 'Ice Age' films and 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' for short promotional windows.
• Current-season shows like 'Will Trent' and 'Shifting Gears' are also part of the agreement.
• Library series such as 'Felicity' and 'This Is Us' are included in the deal.
• Disney will continue to maintain exclusivity on Disney+ and Hulu for core titles.

Background

This deal follows a previous agreement in December 2023, which included titles like 'Scandal' and 'Black-ish' for a limited 18-month period. The new agreement marks a shift in the relationship between Disney and Netflix, which had previously been characterized by a 'streaming arms race.'

How outlets are covering it

Variety and What's on Netflix emphasize the strategic nature of the deal, highlighting how Disney is leveraging Netflix's global subscriber base to monetize its library and promote upcoming releases. TVLine focuses on the specific titles and release dates, while Yahoo provides a broader overview of the deal. All sources agree on the core details of the agreement, but vary in their emphasis on the strategic implications and specific titles included.

Why it matters

This deal is significant because it represents a major shift in the relationship between Disney and Netflix, two of the largest players in the streaming industry. It also highlights the growing trend of content licensing between major media companies, as they seek to maximize the reach and monetization of their content.

What to watch

The next step is to monitor the impact of this deal on both Disney and Netflix, as well as the broader streaming industry. It will be interesting to see how the deal affects the availability of content on Disney+ and Hulu, and whether it leads to further licensing agreements between the two companies.