The Walt Disney Co. has inked a deal to provide more programming on Britain’s BSkyB. The pay-TV service is even adding a new channel dedicated to animated films from the Disney library.
While financial terms of the contract have not been made public by neither Disney nor BSkyB, Britain’s Times newspaper reports that it’s valued at 130 million pounds ($226 million) a year.
The deal gives BSkyB an edge in the competitive children’s television market, and provides Disney with a new outlet for its animated productions. In addition to tacking on the animated movie channel, BSkyB will make Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney available to more Sky satellite service subscribers by taking them out of the premium service package and including them in its basic channel linup.
The movie channel, Disney Cinemagic, will launch as a new premium service that will feature both classic Mouse House product such as Lady and the Tramp, and recent hits such as Pixar’s The Incredibles. BSkyB is also extending Disney’s sports coverage with the inclusion of ESPN Classic.
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