Disney and ITV partner in streaming wars

The Walt Disney Company and ITV have announced a strategic deal for Disney+ and ITVX.

The partnership will be billed as a “Taste of ITVX” and a “Taste of Disney+” on their respective streaming services in the UK.

Starting 16th July, a curated, and regularly refreshed selection of hit shows and movies from Disney+ and ITVX will be available to viewers on both platforms. The agreement showcases ITV and Disney’s world-class content to each other's complementary audiences, extending reach and allowing more viewers to discover Disney+ and ITVX.

Joe Earley, President, Direct-to-Consumer, Disney Entertainment commented: “We are proud of this innovative collaboration with ITV, which will allow us to bring Disney+ customers some of the UK’s favorite and buzzworthy shows and encourage ITVX viewers to discover some of Disney+’s award-winning series and blockbuster films.”

It will allow Disney+ viewers to watch the likes of ITV‘s Love Island, Mr Bates vs The Post Office or Spy Among Friends, and vice versa: ITV audiences can watch the first season of FX’s The Bear or Lucasfilm’s Andor alongside other hit Disney movies.

Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, ITV said: “Disney are fantastic partners with a brilliant breadth of content. This mutually beneficial alliance allows us to show our complementary audiences a specially selected collection of titles, regularly updating, that gives a flavour of the range in our respective offerings. For us, this deal means even more great content for viewers on ITVX, and even more opportunity for viewers to find and enjoy our distinctive titles and services.”

Lucasfilm and ITV have a storied history. Star Wars premiered on ITV in 1982, and I remember recording it off-air on my parents' Panasonic VCR. I will follow this development with great interest.

What are your thoughts on the Disney and ITV deal? Is it a good idea? Let me know in the comments below.