Channel 4, Disney in On-Demand Deal

LONDON, October 19: In a
deal with Disney-ABC International Television, the U.K.’s Channel 4 will make
ABC series available for viewing on a free, ad-supported basis on its
video-on-demand channel, 4oD, for up to 30 days following their initial linear
broadcast.

This is the first time in
Europe that Disney-ABC International Television has made its network series
available on demand, free of charge to viewers and supported by advertising.
The deal kicks off with tonight’s episode of Ugly Betty (season 2, episode 3), which will be the first
show to be made available streamed and downloaded on 4oD via PC. Subsequent
seasons of Desperate Housewives,
Brothers & Sisters, and the
upcoming series Reaper and Dirty
Sexy Money will also be available
on 4oD.

Archive
programming—those beyond 30 days post transmission on Channel
4—will continue to be available on a pay-per-view basis on 4oD.

“We want Channel 4 viewers
to be able to see our shows in a format, time and platform to suit them and to
make the process as simple as possible,” said Jeff Ford, the director of
acquisitions at Channel 4 and Film4. “This deal means that viewers can now
catch up on some of their favorite U.S. shows, alongside home grown product,
free of charge at a time convenient to them which can only be good news.”

Jim Brehm, the senior VP
of sales at Disney-ABC International Television, said: “We’re committed to
working with partners who have strong brands in the digital space, like Channel
4, to enhance consumers’ viewing experience of our content, and expand its
distribution. Building on this partnership, we’re pleased to bring these series
to U.K. viewers in a free, ad-supported model for the first time, allowing them
to enjoy these much talked-about shows whenever, wherever and however they
wish.”

—By Irene Lew