Disney, NBCU Tie Up with Norwegian Cable Operator Altibox

OSLO: The cable operator Altibox, which reaches some 250,000 customers in Norway and Denmark, has struck two separate agreements that add to its content lineup, one with Disney Nordic and one with NBCUniversal International Television Distribution.

The service can now offer Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior and Disney Channel on Demand through set-top boxes (STBs) and its TV Everywhere platform. Customers can use the seven-day catch-up functionality for Disney's TV channels on both STBs and all mobile devices through TV Everywhere. The agreement between Altibox and Disney Nordic also sees Disney Movies on Demand becoming available in the Nordic region.

Additionally, Altibox will offer ABC Studios, an on-demand service that features popular series from ABC Studios such as Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives and Criminal Minds after their first local broadcast window.

The two have also extended their existing digital rental deal, added to the functionality of digital purchase to customers.

Separately, Altibox inked a deal with NBCUniversal International Television Distribution, strengthening the on-demand entertainment service with a variety of contemporary and classic Hollywood films. Upcoming titles that will be available for Altibox customers include The World's End, Blackfish, The Wolf of Wall Street and Kick Ass, in addition to new installments in the Fast & Furious and Despicable Me franchises.

"This is fantastic news for our customers, and a groundbreaking agreement for Altibox," said Øyvind Lundbakk, product director at Altibox. "Disney offers great family entertainment which is highly valued by many. The deal is a proof that both Disney and Altibox adapt to the new TV and media habits, letting the customers enjoy first-class entertainment from Disney when they want and where they want at home on the Altibox TV Everywhere platform."

Lundbakk added, “The youth audience has the highest expectations and is embracing new technology. They have high demands of both consumption of entertainment and of the content itself. The new agreement enables Altibox to meet these expectations.”

Franca Rossander, the general manager of media distribution at The Walt Disney Company Nordic, said, “With this deal we are deepening our relationship with Altibox. This is especially exciting as it is the first agreement for our Disney Movies on Demand service in the Nordics, a service which will offer our fantastic Disney films to the family audience, on their terms—anywhere at any time.”

Lundbakk added, "We are proud to announce that our customers will now have access to an even bigger selection of entertainment in our movie rental service. Through this deal with NBCUniversal, we can offer a more robust portfolio of film titles to Altibox users. 

In February, several new improvements were made to Altibox, making movie rental on the VOD service faster and easier to use.  

“Our customers have made it clear that they want a variety of entertainment options, as well as the convenience of watching the films and series; this is all now possible with the touch of a button.”