Walt Disney Co. is investing $1 billion in OpenAI under a new commercial partnership with the ChatGPT and Sora developer.
The three-year licensing agreement will allow users of Sora, OpenAI’s artificial intelligence video tool, to create AI videos using more than 200 characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars, the entertainment giant announced Thursday.
Disney is the first major company to strike a licensing deal with OpenAI on Sora, which uses generative artificial intelligence to create short videos.
“Through this collaboration with OpenAI we will thoughtfully and responsibly extend the reach of our storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their works,” Disney CEO Robert Iger said in a statement.
As part of the deal, Disney said it will deploy ChatGPT for its employees and use OpenAI tech to develop new products. Some user-generated Sora videos will also be made available on the Disney+ streaming service.
The agreement does not include any talent likenesses or voices, Disney said.
AI video generators like Sora have impressed users with their ability to quickly create realistic clips based on simple text prompts. At the same time, concerns over misinformation, deepfakes and copyright have swelled. In the aftermath of the Sora 2 release, clips of copyrighted characters, as well as prominent figures like Martin Luther King Jr., started cropping up on the platform.
Disney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. OpenAI directed CBS News to the press release issued Thursday.
The Walt Disney Company announced on Thursday that it has signed a three-year partnership with OpenAI that will bring its iconic characters to the company’s Sora AI video generator. Disney is also making a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI.
Launched in September, Sora allows users to create short videos using simple prompts. With this new agreement, users will be able to draw on more than 200 animated, masked, and creature characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, including costumes, props, vehicles, and more.
These characters include iconic faces like Mickey Mouse, Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Baymax, Simba, as well as characters from Encanto, Frozen, Inside Out, Moana, Monsters Inc., Toy Story, Up, and Zootopia. Users will also be able to draw on animated or illustrated versions of Marvel and Lucasfilm characters like Black Panther, Captain America, Deadpool, Groot, Iron Man, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Stormtroopers, and more.
Users will also be able to draw on these characters while using ChatGPT Images, the feature in ChatGPT that allows users to create visuals using text prompts.
The agreement does not include any talent likenesses or voices, Disney says.
“The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence marks an important moment for our industry, and through this collaboration with OpenAI we will thoughtfully and responsibly extend the reach of our storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their works,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger in a statement.
Disney says that alongside the agreement, it will “become a major customer of OpenAI,” as it will use its APIs to build new products, tools, and experiences, including for Disney+.
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“Disney is the global gold standard for storytelling, and we’re excited to partner to allow Sora and ChatGPT Images to expand the way people create and experience great content,” said Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, in a statement. “This agreement shows how AI companies and creative leaders can work together responsibly to promote innovation that benefits society, respect the importance of creativity, and help works reach vast new audiences.”
When Bob Iger eagerly told investors that slop was on the menu at the House of Mouse last month, the Disney CEO mentioned that the studio was in talks with a major generative AI company to power its reckless new era. It’s no longer talks: Disney’s disastrous turn into the AI bubble is here.
This morning the studio announced it had agreed to a major deal with OpenAI that will see over 200 Disney characters—including ones from Pixar and Marvel properties, as well as Star Wars—allowed to be used on its Sora video platform and in imagery generated by ChatGPT, making Disney the first major brand to license its content with the AI company.
The three-year licensing deal, which remains subject to negotiation agreements and approval from both Disney and OpenAI’s executive boards, does not cover the likenesses of actors or any voice rights. As part of the agreement, Disney will also become a “major customer” of OpenAI, integrating ChatGPT into its workflow as well as using the company’s APIs to develop new products, tools, and experiences.
“Technological innovation has continually shaped the evolution of entertainment, bringing with it new ways to create and share great stories with the world,” Iger said in a statement shared by OpenAI this morning. “The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence marks an important moment for our industry, and through this collaboration with OpenAI we will thoughtfully and responsibly extend the reach of our storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their works.
“Bringing together Disney’s iconic stories and characters with OpenAI’s groundbreaking technology puts imagination and creativity directly into the hands of Disney fans in ways we’ve never seen before, giving them richer and more personal ways to connect with the Disney characters and stories they love,” the Disney CEO concluded.
The news comes after Disney has spent the past few years joining several high-profile lawsuits alongside other Hollywood studios to aggressively pursue generative AI platforms from the likes of Midjourney and MiniMax, that allowed users to generate imagery of its characters in breach of Disney’s intellectual copyrights. Indeed, this morning Variety reported that Disney lawyers sent a cease and desist letter to Google this week, accusing the company of “infringing Disney’s copyrights on a massive scale” by allowing its properties to be generated and distributed through its AI platforms.
But even while doing so publicly, the studio has been internally experimenting with implementing generative AI into its movies for a while—only to have those efforts dashed by concerns with both legal ramifications and potential public backlash.
Over the summer, the Wall Street Journal reported on two separate instances related to the production of the live-action Moana remake and Tron: Ares where Disney floated the use of generative AI. In the former case, it would’ve been reportedly used to mask over the use of Dwayne Johnson’s cousin, Tanoai Reed, to act as a stand-in for the performer on days he was unavailable. In the latter, Disney allegedly experimented with integrating a character powered by generative AI into Tron‘s grid of programs—named “Bit,” and envisioned as a potential companion for Jeff Bridges’ Kevin Flynn.
In neither case did the plans come to fruition, with Disney wrapped up in legal concerns over ultimate copyright involving the use of AI, as well as fears that news of its use would engender further public enmity with the studio—a fear that reached a fever pitch months after the report when Disney rode a wave of boycott calls and widespread criticism over its decision to temporarily suspend late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over comments he made on-air in the wake of the assassination of the right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk, seen as the latest in a long line of attempted capitulations made by the movie studio to the Trump administration.
With its deal with OpenAI in place, those copyright concerns are seemingly no longer an issue for the studio. It remains to be seen if public backlash will be.
It looks like Disney wasted no time delivering on CEO Bob Iger’s promise to bring AI-generated content to Disney+. On Thursday, the company announced the start of a three-year licensing agreement with OpenAI to bring more than 200 of its beloved characters, including those from Star Wars and Pixar, to the Sora app and ChatGPT. With the deal in place, OpenAI users will be able to prompt ChatGPT to generate images that tap into Disney’s intellectual property, with costumes, props, vehicles and environments covered.
The agreement does not cover voices or “talent likenesses.” On paper, that should mean Sora users won’t be able prompt the app to make a video with Black Widow and get something with Scarlett Johansson likeness in it.
Last week, Lucasfilm shocked the world with the announcement that its plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Wars with a theatrical re-release would mark the first official re-release of the original theatrical cut of A New Hope for the first time in decades. But the legacy of tweaks George Lucas has made to Star Wars is as long as Star Wars‘ existence itself… and what “original” actually means has been changing, from a certain point of view, from the very beginning.
No one, least of all Lucas, could have predicted the way Star Wars would change pop culture as we knew it when it first released in 1977. The movie that made it to theaters was one of a thousand compromises, with things tweaked and cut and given up on as Lucas strove to realize his ambitious ideas on screen. The moment Star Wars hit theaters, the director was not done pushing what he could change, emboldened by its immediate success—establishing a long history of his revisits to the movie that changed his career forever. Here’s a timeline of the changes made, from 1977 to the film’s latest version streaming on Disney+.
1977
After Star Wars‘ release in May of 1977, multiple changes were made between its initial launch and the film’s wider theatrical run later in the year: four visual errors in the film were corrected, including new laser effects and explosions during the Millennium Falcon‘s escape from Mos Eisley, a recomposition of the matte painting used to depict the exterior of the Massassi temple on Yavin IV, and changes to the cloudscape in the shot of the Rebel fighters leaving the base to assault the Death Star. The last change made didn’t affect the film itself, but its closing credits sequence, which was completely redone with new formatting and spacing.
Lucas also made multiple dialogue and audio changes between the 35mm Dolby Stereo and 70mm 6-track audio versions of the films, and the mono mix created in the summer of 1977. The changes were minor compared to audio tweaks to come over the next 50 years, largely adjusting the timing of certain lines of dialogue and effects, rather than radically changing anything outright, although some voiceover lines were altered for characters like Stormtroopers and C-3PO. Perhaps the most identifiable differences include a complete re-recording of Shelagh Fraser’s lines as Aunt Beru, done out of a belief by Lucas that her original takes sounded too British, and a correction so that Luke accurately says, “Blast it, Wedge, where are you?” during the Death Star assault, rather than cursing Biggs (that will become important later!).
1981
The first significant change to Star Wars is when it officially becomes A New Hope. Re-released in theaters after the launch of Empire Strikes Back a year prior, Star Wars‘ opening crawl was updated to include the subtitled “Episode IV: A New Hope” to match Empire‘s own use of the episodic titling. There were several other updates to the opening crawl beyond this most obvious one: a new starfield background was used, to match Empire‘s, as was the Star Wars title card, and a minor alteration in the crawl to capitalize “Rebel” in its second paragraph.
Those were not the only tweaks for the re-release, though: the opening shots of the Tantive IV‘s pursuit were recomposited to remove some visible bordering, as were slight changes to some effects like engine glow and the positioning of planets in the background of the chase.
1982-1993
A New Hope‘s first home releases also included some minor changes. The initial VHS, Betamax, and CED releases of the film used the 35mm Dolby Stereo audio track, removing a C-3PO line added in the mono mix when R2-D2 displays the Death Star’s internal layouts, where the protocol droid explains that shutting down one of the station’s tractor beam generators would free the Millennium Falcon. The limitations of CED and Laserdisc as a format meant those initial releases in particular also had a peculiar change: the film was sped up to fit on a singular disc, cutting its run time from 121 minutes to under two hours.
The laserdisc releases of A New Hope utilized a newly remastered audio track, but there were further changes in various iterations for the laserdisc release of the film over the remainder of the 1980s and early 1990s. The 1988 widescreen laserdisc release of A New Hope in America was based on the master used for a Japanese release from 1986, which had been adjusted to account for Japanese language subtitling. Attempting to correct the changes ultimately created an issue where the viewable section of the screen shrunk over the course of the film, but this was corrected in a 1992 re-release.
A 1993 laserdisc release of the entire trilogy, dubbed The Definitive Collection, used yet another newly supervised audio mix for A New Hope, this time incorporating elements from all three original Dolby Stereo, 6-track, and mono mixes, including the latter’s dialogue changes. These same editions of the film were rereleased on laserdisc and VHS in 1995, marking the last time the “original” versions of all three films would be available in a widely accessible format for another decade.
We’ve reached the big one: the release of the Star Wars special editions. Beyond remastering and restoration of all three films for fidelity’s sake, A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi all received a swath of cosmetic updates to their visual effects, incorporating new, reworked, and extended shots that utilized CGI (including some that incorporated tie-in elements from other parts of the since-established Expanded Universe tie-in media, such as the presence of swoop bikes and Dash Rendar’s Outrider in Mos Eisley from Shadows of the Empire).
But perhaps more infamously, each film also received some narrative tweaks and additions, many of which are still debated to this day. We’ll stick to A New Hope, as that’s what we’re focusing on here: two significant added scenes include Han Solo’s encounter with Jabba in Mos Eisley, now featuring a CG recreation of the character’s appearance from Return of the Jedi (deleted scenes from the original film that this footage was taken from portrayed Jabba as a human, leading to an awkward addition here where Han “accidentally” steps on Jabba’s tail while walking behind him) as well as a brief appearance by Boba Fett in the background, and a scene added to the Yavin IV base where Luke and Biggs reunite with each other, giving the latter’s death during the Death Star assault more dramatic weight. The Special Edition cut also restores the “Blast it, Biggs” line change initially corrected in the mono mix of the film, presumably to further display Luke and Biggs’ bond.
Then there is, of course, the most debated tweak of all: the Special Edition adds an initial shot fired by Greedo during his cantina encounter with Han, moments before Han pulls the trigger on his own blaster to kill the bounty hunter, to create an impression that Han acted in self-defense rather than pragmatism. We’re not going to get into it, but we will revisit it over the course of the rest of this timeline, because people will spend years getting angry about it.
2004
The original trilogy’s first DVD releases, based on the Special Editions, incorporated further changes beyond remastering for the format, altering some of the additions from the 1997 releases while also providing some connective elements to the prequel trilogy, in full swing at the time of the release.
In the case of A New Hope, many of the changes are broadly audio-based, tweaking the effects on certain lines of dialogue or incorporating new sounds at certain moments—perhaps most significantly in terms of audio was a total rework of the voice filter used on Darth Vader, to better align A New Hope with the rest of the original trilogy—as well as corrections on color grading errors introduced in some sequences, like a pinkish hue over the scenes depicting Luke and Obi-Wan’s arrival in Mos Eisley. A newly updated CG model of Jabba to replace the one used in the Special Edition’s additions was also included, and for the first time, English language signage seen throughout the film was replaced with Aurebesh typography, marking a radical overhaul of the history of the written word in Star Wars.
Then, of course, Tatooine is also the home of another change: the Han and Greedo encounter is altered yet again so that the two fire almost simultaneously (although Greedo is still, by the blink of an eye, the first to pull the trigger). No one continues to be satisfied by this.
2006
The 2004 DVD cuts of the original trilogy were re-released for a limited time two years later, with one significant addition. As well as newly remastered versions of the 2004 editions, each release came with a bonus disc containing the so-called original versions of the films, available for the first time in a home format since 1995.
In actuality, these versions weren’t quite the originals. Although A New Hope reinstated the original, pre-1981 opening crawl from a remaining print, the rest of the audio and visual presentation was derived from the versions made for the 1993 laserdisc transfers of the original trilogy released as The Definitive Collection. Until 2027, this will remain the last official release of any version of the pre-Special Edition versions of the film.
The saga’s release on Blu-ray for the first time introduced yet further changes beyond those included in 2004 and 1997. Again, these were broadly audio tweaks rather than anything particularly significant (such as Obi-Wan’s krayt dragon call to scare off the Tusken Raiders, changed again from a tweak made in the 2004 mix—the same scene includes an awkwardly framed piece of rock placed in front of R2-D2 in the small alcove he initially hides from Obi-Wan in).
That doesn’t mean the Han and Greedo scene doesn’t get yet further tweaks, though. A few frames from the moment of blaster fire are shaved off, bringing the timing of the altered scene back closer in line to the original, even as it keeps the near-simultaneous, Greedo-first tweaks introduced in 2004. No one continues to be satisfied by this.
2019
The launch of Disney+ in the United States brought with it yet another alteration of the film, part of a process to restore the film to 4K streaming quality. The streaming version of A New Hope arguably contains some of the slightest alterations to the post-Special Edition version of the film released over the course of the 21st century, broadly adjusting color correction issues on scenes introduced in the 1997, 2004, and 2011 releases.
That does not mean the most-tweaked scene in Star Wars history got off scott free, however. Now Han and Greedo’s encounter climaxes with an awkward cut to Greedo shouting “Ma Klounkee” before he fires. The scene otherwise maintains the pacing of the 2011 iteration, although it also removes a very brief visible shot of the Greedo dummy before it violently explodes. Not only does no one continue to be satisfied by this, they’re mostly comedically confused, birthing a new Star Wars meme in the process.
2027
That brings us back to last weeks news of that the previously announced 50th anniversary screenings of A New Hope will now not just arrive earlier in 2027, but with a version of the “original” film. As with everything we’ve gone through above, what that means with Star Wars certainly remains in flux, and Lucasfilm has yet to provide any kind of details about this release beyond its existence. A statement released by the studio has simply described it as “a newly restored version of the classic Star Wars (1977) theatrical release.”
We’ve got two years before we find out what the galaxy far, far away’s latest definition of “original” is.
The Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) bundle is officially on sale for $5 per month for one year (for a total of $60) through December 1, giving new and returning subscribers a full year of both streaming platforms for less than the cost of a few movie tickets. The bundle includes Disney+ and Hulu’s basic plans with ads, so if you’ve been waiting for a sign to catch up on Only Murders in the Building or dive into the Star Wars universe, this is it.
Disney+ and Hulu make one of the most balanced streaming pairs available, blending family-friendly favorites with acclaimed originals and network TV staples. Disney+ brings a vast library of animated classics, blockbuster franchises and exclusive content from Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars and National Geographic. It’s the place to stream nearly every Star Wars film and series, plus the full Marvel Cinematic Universe lineup and Disney’s most recent theatrical releases.
Disney+
Instead of $13 per month for the ad-supported bundle, you’ll get it for $5 monthly for one year.
For families, it doubles as a reliable destination for animated favorites, from Encanto to Inside Out 2, and its kid-friendly interface makes it simple to hand over the remote without worrying about what’s queued next.
Hulu balances things out with a more adult-oriented lineup of current TV shows, next-day network episodes and a growing roster of award-winning originals. The platform hosts series like The Bear,The Handmaid’s Tale and Only Murders in the Building, alongside comedies, thrillers and documentaries that regularly feature in awards conversations. It’s also the home for next-day streaming of ABC and FX shows, making it especially useful if you’ve already cut the cable cord but still want to keep up with primetime TV.
The Duo Basic bundle ties these two services together under a single subscription, offering a simple way to expand your library without juggling multiple accounts. This tier includes ads on both platforms, but the trade-off is significant savings compared with paying for each service separately. For many households, that’s an acceptable compromise when it means access to such a wide range of content.
Both platforms also integrate smoothly across devices. Disney+ is available on nearly every smart TV and streaming stick and Hulu’s interface is built around customizable profiles, so everyone in the household can keep separate watch lists. The bundle login works seamlessly between the two, and since they’re both owned by Disney, it’s easy to switch from a Marvel marathon to a new episode of The Great or Abbott Elementary without leaving the ecosystem.
If you prefer a more premium experience, you can upgrade to the Duo Premium bundle for ad-free viewing, but the Basic plan remains the best value for most users. It’s an especially practical pick if you’re looking to consolidate your streaming subscriptions without losing access to major franchises or hit series.
If you’re still comparing options or thinking about how to simplify your lineup, our guide to the best streaming services outlines how Disney+, Hulu and others stack up. But for those already invested in Disney’s worlds or Hulu’s critically acclaimed originals, this annual Duo Basic deal offers one of the easiest and most affordable ways to keep it all in one place.
Apple TV+ — 6 months for $36: Apple TV+ is offering six months of access for only $36 for Black Friday, which comes out to a discounted price of $6 per month for the six-month period. The deal is live now for new and eligible returning subscribers and runs through December 1, giving you a chance to stream shows like Silo, The Morning Show and For All Mankind for less. The biggest caveat to the deal is that you must subscribe directly through Apple and not through a third-party service.
HBO Max — one year for $36: HBO Max’s Black Friday deal gives subscribers one year streaming for $36 through December 1. This Black Friday streaming deal is on the ad-supported option, which normally goes for $11 per month. With this discount, you’re getting it for $3 per month for one year. You can sign up via HBO Max’s website or, if you’re a Prime Video subscriber already, via that service as an add-on.
Paramount+ — two months of Essential or Premium for $6: This Black Friday deal brings the monthly price of either Paramount+ tier down to just $6 for two months, or $3 per month. The obvious better deal is on the Premium plan, which typically costs $13 per month.
Sling TV Orange — day pass for only $1: Sling TV launched Day Passes earlier this year, giving users one-day access to a variety of its packages. This deal cuts $4 off the normal price of a day pass for Sling Orange. With that, you get unlimited access for 24 hours to Orange’s more than 30 channels that includes ESPN, CNN, TBS and others.
The Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) bundle is officially on sale for $5 per month for one year (for a total of $60) through December 1, giving new and returning subscribers a full year of both streaming platforms for less than the cost of a few movie tickets. The bundle includes Disney+ and Hulu’s basic plans with ads, so if you’ve been waiting for a sign to catch up on Only Murders in the Building or dive into the Star Wars universe, this is it.
Disney+ and Hulu make one of the most balanced streaming pairs available, blending family-friendly favorites with acclaimed originals and network TV staples. Disney+ brings a vast library of animated classics, blockbuster franchises and exclusive content from Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars and National Geographic. It’s the place to stream nearly every Star Wars film and series, plus the full Marvel Cinematic Universe lineup and Disney’s most recent theatrical releases.
Disney+
Instead of $13 per month for the ad-supported bundle, you’ll get it for $5 monthly for one year.
For families, it doubles as a reliable destination for animated favorites, from Encanto to Inside Out 2, and its kid-friendly interface makes it simple to hand over the remote without worrying about what’s queued next.
Hulu balances things out with a more adult-oriented lineup of current TV shows, next-day network episodes and a growing roster of award-winning originals. The platform hosts series like The Bear,The Handmaid’s Tale and Only Murders in the Building, alongside comedies, thrillers and documentaries that regularly feature in awards conversations. It’s also the home for next-day streaming of ABC and FX shows, making it especially useful if you’ve already cut the cable cord but still want to keep up with primetime TV.
The Duo Basic bundle ties these two services together under a single subscription, offering a simple way to expand your library without juggling multiple accounts. This tier includes ads on both platforms, but the trade-off is significant savings compared with paying for each service separately. For many households, that’s an acceptable compromise when it means access to such a wide range of content.
Both platforms also integrate smoothly across devices. Disney+ is available on nearly every smart TV and streaming stick and Hulu’s interface is built around customizable profiles, so everyone in the household can keep separate watch lists. The bundle login works seamlessly between the two, and since they’re both owned by Disney, it’s easy to switch from a Marvel marathon to a new episode of The Great or Abbott Elementary without leaving the ecosystem.
If you prefer a more premium experience, you can upgrade to the Duo Premium bundle for ad-free viewing, but the Basic plan remains the best value for most users. It’s an especially practical pick if you’re looking to consolidate your streaming subscriptions without losing access to major franchises or hit series.
If you’re still comparing options or thinking about how to simplify your lineup, our guide to the best streaming services outlines how Disney+, Hulu and others stack up. But for those already invested in Disney’s worlds or Hulu’s critically acclaimed originals, this annual Duo Basic deal offers one of the easiest and most affordable ways to keep it all in one place.
Apple TV+ — 6 months for $36: Apple TV+ is offering six months of access for only $36 for Black Friday, which comes out to a discounted price of $6 per month for the six-month period. The deal is live now for new and eligible returning subscribers and runs through December 1, giving you a chance to stream shows like Silo, The Morning Show and For All Mankind for less. The biggest caveat to the deal is that you must subscribe directly through Apple and not through a third-party service.
Paramount+ — two months of Essential or Premium for $6: This Black Friday deal brings the monthly price of either Paramount+ tier down to just $6 for two months, or $3 per month. The obvious better deal is on the Premium plan, which typically costs $13 per month.
HBO Max — one year for $36: HBO Max’s Black Friday deal gives subscribers one year streaming for $36 through December 1. This Black Friday streaming deal is on the ad-supported option, which normally goes for $11 per month. With this discount, you’re getting it for $3 per month for one year. You can sign up via HBO Max’s website or, if you’re a Prime Video subscriber already, via that service as an add-on.
Sling TV Orange — day pass for only $1: Sling TV launched Day Passes earlier this year, giving users one-day access to a variety of its packages. This deal cuts $4 off the normal price of a day pass for Sling Orange. With that, you get unlimited access for 24 hours to Orange’s more than 30 channels that includes ESPN, CNN, TBS and others.
Zootopia 2 reviews are out now, and if early reviews and Rotten Tomatoes scores are any indication, fans of the Disney franchise should be very excited.
What are the Zootopia 2 reviews saying?
Over on Rotten Tomatoes, Zootopia debuted to a magnificent 94% score. While not quite as high as 2016’s Zootopia (which had a 98% score), the score is still extremely high, and yet another Disney animated project that seems to be an incredible movie.
Slant Magazine Derek Smith praised the movie, saying that it “provides plenty of food for thought for its young audience, making a more expansive statement on the dangers of intolerance than the first film, and without sacrificing any of its charm, humor, or visual ingenuity along the way.”
Variety’s Peter Debruge also praised the film, saying “these movies are comedies first and crime-film homages second, but it’s their tertiary value as social commentary that makes the franchise so indispensable: Behind the laughs are teachable moments.”
The Hollywood Reporter’s Frank Scheck also had positive things to say, noting that the sequel “proves more than worth the lengthy wait, knocking it out of the park with its dazzling visuals, sophisticated humor and doses of genuine emotion.”
Newsday’s Rafer Guzman praised the cast of the film, noting “the movie delivers a satisfying combination of laughs, family-friendly thrills and a new, not-so-subtle note of romance.”
ComingSoon’s Jonathan Sim also loved the movie, saying it’s not only “a worthy follow-up, but also a zippy, colorful, and surprisingly introspective buddy-cop adventure that expands the franchise in fur-nomenal new directions.”
“After cracking the biggest case in Zootopia’s history, rookie cops Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find their partnership isn’t as solid as they thought when Chief Bogo orders them to join the Partners in Crisis counseling program. But it doesn’t take long for their partnership to be put to the ultimate test when they find themselves on the twisting trail of a mystery tied to the arrival of a venomous snake in the animal metropolis,” reads the official synopsis.
Encanto filmmakers Jared Bush and Byron Howard co-directed Zootopia 2, with Bush also writing the screenplay and Yvett Merino producing the movie. The sequel will also feature the return of Shakira as Gazelle, Idris Elba as Chief Bogo, Bonnie Hunt as Bonnie Hopps, Don Lake as Stu Hopps, Nate Torrence as Clawhauser, Jenny Slate as Bellwether, Alan Tudyk as Duke Weaselton, Maurice LaMarche as Mr. Big, Leah Latham as Fru Fru, Josh Dallas as Frantic Pig, Tommy Chong as Yax, and Mark Smith as Officer McHorn.
Zootopia 2 arrives in theaters on November 26, 2025.
Didn’t watch Tron: Ares in theaters last month? Well, count yourself among a lot of people, considering that the film turned out to be one of Disney’s biggest box office flops in a while. But there’s good(?) news: if you were simply waiting long enough to be disinterested in watching the latest (and potentially final, for a very long while) Tron movie at home, the time is nigh.
This morning Disney confirmed that Tron: Ares would begin its home release next week, with a digital release set for the first week of December, followed by a physical release in early January 2026.
As well as the film itself, the home releases will come with a raft of behind-the-scenes bonus content, including featurettes about the history of Tron, developing the film’s lightcycle sequences, and one that is described as a “personal journey with Jared Leto” looking at Ares‘ creation, fitting given that Leto played a hugely significant role in reviving Tron after a planned sequel to Tron: Legacy stalled out at Disney. Whether that was ultimately for better or worse? Still kinda TBD.
Beyond the featurettes, the home releases will include a trio of deleted scenes from the film, including one simply credited as “Lisberger Cameo”—indicating that original Tron writer and director Steven Lisberger was going to make a cameo in the film at some point. Lisberger did make a brief appearance in Tron: Legacy as Shaddix, one of the bartenders at the End of the Line Club, so it’s a shame his continuation of that legacy, for want of a better word, didn’t continue in the theatrical cut of Ares. At least it’ll live on as a deleted scene!
Here’s the full list of bonus features:
Deleted Scenes: – Seth’s Date – Burning Man – Lisberger Cameo
Featurettes: – The Journey To Tron: Ares: Go on a personal journey with Jared Leto, director Joachim Rønning and other cast and crew members for an in-depth making-of look showcasing the stunning visuals, incredible stunts, cool (but heavy) costumes, and next-level sets of Tron: Ares. – Lightcycles On The Loose: Join director Joachim Rønning as he peels back the layers of one of the most action-packed sequences in the film. Discover what ILM and the artists who grew up loving the franchise contributed, and what other iconic film the sequence pays homage to. – The Artistry Of Tron: Ares: Director Joachim Rønning and actor-producer Jared Leto sit down to discuss their journey creating Tron: Ares. The pair unpack key moments and the striking visual, sonic and artistic philosophies that drive the storytelling both in and out of the Grid. – Cast Conversations: Join the cast in candid conversations as they reflect on stepping into character, memorable on-set experiences, funny anecdotes and personal insights. Get a glimpse of the off-screen camaraderie that shines in their electric on-screen synergy. – The Legacy Of Tron: Decades after Tron first took the world by storm, and with Tron: Legacy in between, there’s loads of nostalgia to mine for Tron: Ares. Catch some clever easter eggs and noteworthy cameos as this enduring franchise continues to leave its mark.
Tron: Ares releases digitally on December 2, with a Blu-ray and DVD release set for January 6, 2026.
The Beatles Anthology — The landmark 1995 ABC docuseries gets a modern-day restoration and expansion, with a new chapter that shows … the creation of the original docuseries. How meta! Yes, these guys really want you to remember they’re the ones who wrote “Glass Onion.” (Disney+)
Jingle Bell Heist — An American woman and a British guy fall for each other while plotting the Christmas Eve robbery of a swank London department store. But it’s OK, you see, because they’re only trying to get money to take care of their kids. You know, just like everybody at Dancers Royale is majoring in poli sci at UCF. (Netflix)
Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age — Season 3 profiles creatures like the woolly mammoth, the sabertooth tiger and the snow sloth, which exerted a fragile control over the frigid terrain of Earth’s first and greatest climate catastrophe. Each episode ends with commentary by Bill Gates, who has thought it all over and decided it’s bullshit. (Apple TV)
Stranger Things 5, Volume 1 — Arriving just in time for the Hellfire Club to receive their AARP cards, the show’s eagerly awaited conclusion finds our heroes determined to eliminate Vecna once and for all. Supposedly, we’ll also discover the true nature of the Upside Down. You mean we aren’t living in it? (Netflix)
WondLa — In the third and final season of this animated fantasy, human heroine Eva fights to save her world by recapturing the purloined Heart of the Forest. But is all that trouble really worth it for something that couldn’t make it off James Cameron’s drawing board? (Apple TV)
Premiering Friday:
The Stringer: The Man Who Took the Photo — Remember that famous pic of a Vietnamese girl getting blasted by napalm? The shot that was credited to AP photographer Nick Ut? Well, modern investigators suspect it may have actually been the work of a Vietnamese stringer. I don’t know, man. They’re going to have to work hard to sell me on the idea that a local came out on the short end of that war. (Netflix)
Premiering Monday:
All the Empty Rooms — A documentary crew hits on a novel way to underline the epidemic of gun violence: photographing the bedrooms of children lost to school shootings. You know what would be even more persuasive? If they TOLD THE PARENTS THEY WERE SHOWING UP FIRST. (Netflix)
Love Is Blind Italy — The latest international edition of the hit dating franchise is hosted by sportscaster Fabio Caressa and his wife, news presenter and culinary expert Benedetta Parodi. Expect to see her dishing all kinds of dirt about the contestants on her Twitter, because she can just explain it’s a Parodi account. (Netflix)
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman — Dave welcomes the legendary Adam Sandler. And if that prospect doesn’t thrill you, just remind yourself that the last guy he platformed was Warren Zevon. (Netflix)
Troll 2 — This sequel to the 2021 schlock-horror hit raises the stakes by depicting the coming of a fresh and fearsome menace, the Megatroll. It’s like a newer and more virulent version of Nick Fuentes assembled from the bodies of several lesser Nick Fuenti. (Netflix)
Premiering Tuesday:
Matt Rife: Unwrapped: A Christmas Crowd Work Special — Last year’s favorite stand-up comic celebrates the holiday in his trademark fashion: by letting the paying customers do his work for him. Stay tuned for New Year’s Eve, when he’ll be going for the really big laughs by making a withdrawal from a food bank. (Netflix)
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Plus everything else premiering on Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Peacock and Disney+ this week
Disneyland After Dark will include 70 Years of Favorites, Sweethearts’ Nite, Disney Channel Nite, Star Wars Nite, and Pride Nite with dates being announced for all.
Disneyland recently announced the dates and initial details for all five of the 2026 Disneyland After Dark events, including new themes, new events, and fun new perks. Disneyland After Dark is a separately ticketed event held at Disneyland on select nights from January to June. The events take place from 9 pm-1 am, but admission includes a pre-party mix in allowing guests into the park as early as 6 pm. The purchase of tickets also includes unlimited digital downloads of Disney Photopass photos, and a commemorative event guide map, and a keepsake. 70 Years of Favorites, Sweethearts’ Nite, Disney Channel Nite, Star Wars Nite, and Pride Nite have been announced as the five themes for this year’s Disneyland After Dark.
Sweethearts’ Nite
The night is dedicated to celebrating love for all sweethearts, whether spouses, family, or friends will be returning this year. With nine nights, including January 22nd, 25th, 27th and February 3rd, 5th, 8th, 10th, 12th, and 7th, it is a good way to kick off the year. Bringing back the same environment as past years, the nights will also include a few new events and items.
Entertainment will include:
The “Celebrate Love Cavaclade” as it glides down Mainstreet, USA (new)
“Once Upon A Dream – A Musical Journey Through the Disney Songbook” featuring live singers and culminating in a nighttime ball beneath the stars (new)
A Valentine’s Dance Party at Tomorrowland Terrace featuring Donald Duck and Daisy Duck
Disney Duets Festive Karaoke in the Golden Horseshoe (new)
Photo Backdrops staged throughout the park referencing all your favorite films like “The Aristocrats”, “Tangled”, “Aladdin”, and “Lady and the Tramp”
Specialty food will include:
A Triple Berry Slushy with a Mickey-Shaped Glow Cube at Galactic Grill (new)
Surf N’ Turf loaded fries at Red Rose Taverne
Mickey Shaped Strawberry Cream Puff at Rancho Del Zocalo Restaurant
Additional specialty items are available at table-service restaurants like Café Orleans, River Belle Terrace, and Carnation Café, but reservations are recommended
Sweethearts’ Nite will also feature Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse ear headbands, trading pins, T-shirts, zip-up hoodies and tumblers for sale.
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70 Years of Favorites
One of the new themed nights is 70 Years of Favorites, celebrating the seven decades of unforgettable moments at Disneyland park, in honor of Disney’s 70th anniversary. There will be just two nights, on March 3rd and 5th. Events will include:
Swing dancing at the Royal Theatre in Fantasyland
A Videopolis Dance Party at Tomorrowland Terrace, featuring a live DJ and ‘80s tunes in a throwback setting
Line dancing at The Golden Horseshoe, paying tribute to “Woody’s Round Up” show, a staple on the Frontierland stage in the late ‘90s and early 2000s
Photo opportunities thrown back to past entertainment like “Mad T Party”, “Main Street Electrical Parade” and Club Buzz
Encounters with “Long Lost Friends” including those from Disney Afternoon, “Mother” and “Father” from Carousel of Progress, Merlin, Flik and Atta, and the Fantasmic! Monkeys
And as with all Disneyland events, special food will be featured as well, including:
Mushroom Philly Sandwich (plant-based) and Maple Bacon Cinnamon Roll at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe
Birria Mac and Cheese in a Bread Bowl at Refreshment Corner
Gaston Brew at Red Rose Tavern
Additionally, Blackened New York Steak and Prawns will be available at River Belle Terrace, but reservations are recommended
Disney Channel Nite, Star Wars Nite, and Pride Nite are all returning themes for Disneyland After Dark, with further details about their entertainment and specialty foods to be announced early in 2026. Disney Channel Nites will be a blend of entertainment, characters and music, celebrating the beloved eras of the iconic TV channel will take place April 12th, 14th, and 16th, followed by Star Wars Nites on April 28th and 30th, as well as May 4th and May 6th. The two Pride Nites will take place during the month of June, Pride month, on the 16th and 18th to celebrate and bring together allies and members of the community for a festive evening featuring rainbow projection, lively decor, and dazzling entertainment.
Tickets for the 70 Years of Favorites and Sweethearts’ Nite go on sale to the general public on December 11 at 9 am. Magic key presale holders can get tickets on December 9th if they are Inspire Key holders, while All-Key holders get access to tickets on December 10th. Sale dates for the other three nights will be announced along with their other details in 2026. These nights will be full of magic and fun so don’t miss out.
Wicked: For Good, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as frenemy witches Elphaba and Glinda, stays fairly faithful to its source material. But fans of the Broadway musical may be surprised to find that Wicked: For Good also makes a few unexpected left turns not found in the second half of composer Stephen Schwartz and writer Winnie Holzman’s stage musical. Those changes—which the film’s creative team discussed with me for Universal and VF’s official Wicked: For Good podcast—mostly have to do with Grande’s Glinda the Good, who closes her character arc by stepping into her power in a new way. (Warning: Spoilers for Wicked: For Good are below.)
Wicked: Part One focused on Elphaba’s journey from green-skinned Shiz University student to the Wicked Witch of the West. But while Erivo’s Elphaba is still front and center in Wicked: For Good, the sequel is more focused on Glinda’s turn from powerless figurehead and brand ambassador for the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) to a truly good witch who has her own magical powers. In a departure from the stage show, director Jon M. Chu includes a flashback to little Glinda, played by Scarlett Spears, at her birthday party, attempting to convince her guests that she has magical powers. It’s a moment meant to mirror the flashback scene from the first Wicked when little Elphaba, Karis Musongole, discovers her innate magical powers.
Over the course of Wicked: For Good, written by Holzman and Dana Fox, Glinda’s perfectly manicured facade cracks as Elphaba’s power grows. In another change from the stage play, Erivo has a new song—a rousing ballad called “No Place Like Home”—which underlines her commitment to Oz. Schwartz also added a new song for Glinda, the eleven o’clock number “The Girl in the Bubble,” in which Grande’s character wrestles with her complicity in the hunt for Elphaba—and finally, actively, makes the choice to make good on her promise to truly be Glinda the Good.
Before the end of the film, the estranged witches reconnect to sing the titular song, “For Good.” The stage show ends shortly after this number, with Elphaba “melting” after Dorothy Gale throws a bucket of water on her and Glinda pledging to the Ozians that she will try to be good. Wicked: For Good follows similar beats: After Elphaba has seemingly melted, Glinda stands up to both the Wizard and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), imprisoning Morrible and revealing to the Wizard that Elphaba was, in fact, his daughter, after discovering they both drank the same green elixir. All of this happens on stage as well.
What’s new, though, is that in the final act of the film, both Elphaba and Glinda each get what they desire. Glinda ends the film by closing the arc on the story’s persecuted talking-animal subplot, asking for all of the Ozians to join her in inviting the recently excommunicated creatures to return to Oz. The stage play leaves this thread dangling, while in the film it’s clear that Elphaba’s sacrifice was not in vain, and that Glinda will carry through on her efforts to make Oz a safe space for all. We even see Elphaba’s favorite mammalian professor, Dr. Dillamond (Peter Dinklage), and his tiny goat glasses return to his classroom.
This will bring live coverage to Disney+ and ESPN in the country for the first time, along with ESPN documentaries and live broadcasts of NBA Countdown.
The deal kicks off with a doubleheader on Thursday (November 20), with the Houston Rockets at the Cleveland Cavaliers followed by the New York Knicks at the Dallas Mavericks. Following that will be marquee events such as NBA on Christmas Day, the NBA Draft and the All-Star Celebrity Game.
Disney+ subs in the Philippines will be able to stream one NBA Conference Finals series live, with the others and the NBA Finals available after a delay.
“For millions of Filipinos, basketball isn’t just a sport – it’s a passion, a shared language and a powerful source of national pride,” said Vineet Puri, Vice President and General Manager, The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia. “The NBA is deeply woven into the fabric of Filipino life, inspiring generations of fans and uniting local communities.
“Through this unique deal, we are bringing basketball fans in the Philippines closer than ever to the teams and players they love with all the NBA-focused programming while enjoying the best in global entertainment all on Disney+.”
“Our collaboration with Disney+ Philippines makes it easier than ever for our passionate fans across the country to access the NBA, experience iconic moments from throughout the season and follow their favorite teams and players on the devices and platforms they use most,” added Kelly Cooke, Head of Content Partnerships and DTC at NBA Asia.
Sports rights deals are becoming increasingly important to local streaming services. In Asia-Pacific, Disney+ has primarily focused on securing rights in Australia and New Zealand, where the service has an ESPN+ sports tile.
In an interview with Deadline last week, Disney’s APAC content chief Carol Choi was keen to manage expectation on sports rights deals, but did say: “We are constantly looking at what’s available and where the market is mature enough to integrate sports into our offering.”
Disney TV Studios boss Eric Schrier, in Hong Kong for the Disney APAC Showcase, was more bullish, telling us: “You’ll see us opportunistically get into some sports in some local territories. We have that capability in live sports, so on a global basis, we’re looking at sport in an opportunistic way where it can complement what we’re trying.”
Disney has released the first trailer for its live-action remake of “Moana,” starring Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson. Based on the animated version, the live-action version (also titled “Moana”) was announced in 2023 and is slated for release on July 10, 2026. Disney has now released the first trailer for the remake, which follows the same story as the animation, giving fans a first look at the island and people of Motunui.In April 2023, Dwayne Johnson announced that he would be returning as his character, Maui, from the animated original.“Deeply humbled to announce we’re bringing the beautiful story of MOANA to the live action big screen!” he wrote along with a video of him and his two younger daughters, Jasmine and Tiana, at the beach in O‘ahu. “This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace, mana and warrior strength. I wear our culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once in a lifetime opportunity to reunite with MAUI, inspired by the spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me. We’re honored to partner with @DisneyStudios to tell our story through the realm of music and dance, which at the core is who we are as Polynesian people. Much more to come, but until then What can I saaaaaay except…You’re welcome.”Also featured in the new trailer is Lagaʻaia as Moana, as well as Johnson as the shapeshifting demigod Maui, who can only be seen from behind as he takes on the form of an eagle.Per the trailer, the movie will feature songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s original soundtrack, including “I Am Moana”, which Lagaʻaia sings throughout the teaser.Released in 2016, the original Disney Animation Studios film followed the titular character, voiced by Auli’i Cravalho. Moana attempted to restore the heart of the goddess Te Fiti, with the help of demigod Maui.”Moana,” the live-action remake, will release in theaters on July 10, 2026.
Disney has released the first trailer for its live-action remake of “Moana,” starring Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson.
Based on the animated version, the live-action version (also titled “Moana”) was announced in 2023 and is slated for release on July 10, 2026. Disney has now released the first trailer for the remake, which follows the same story as the animation, giving fans a first look at the island and people of Motunui.
In April 2023, Dwayne Johnson announced that he would be returning as his character, Maui, from the animated original.
“Deeply humbled to announce we’re bringing the beautiful story of MOANA to the live action big screen!” he wrote along with a video of him and his two younger daughters, Jasmine and Tiana, at the beach in O‘ahu. “This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace, mana and warrior strength. I wear our culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once in a lifetime opportunity to reunite with MAUI, inspired by the spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me. We’re honored to partner with @DisneyStudios to tell our story through the realm of music and dance, which at the core is who we are as Polynesian people. Much more to come, but until then What can I saaaaaay except…You’re welcome.”
Also featured in the new trailer is Lagaʻaia as Moana, as well as Johnson as the shapeshifting demigod Maui, who can only be seen from behind as he takes on the form of an eagle.
Per the trailer, the movie will feature songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s original soundtrack, including “I Am Moana”, which Lagaʻaia sings throughout the teaser.
Released in 2016, the original Disney Animation Studios film followed the titular character, voiced by Auli’i Cravalho. Moana attempted to restore the heart of the goddess Te Fiti, with the help of demigod Maui.
“Moana,” the live-action remake, will release in theaters on July 10, 2026.
Catherine Laga’aia and Dwayne Johnson are set to make a splash with the first trailer for Disney‘s live-action feature adaptation of Moana.
Director Thomas Kail’s remake of the original 2016 animated film hits theaters July 10, 2026. The trailer includes the title character performing the song “How Far I’ll Go,” which was featured in the initial movie.
Rounding out the cast are John Tui as Moana’s father, Chief Tui; Frankie Adams as Moana’s mother, Sina; and Rena Owen as Moana’s Gramma Tala.
Johnson, Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia and Lin-Manuel Miranda serve as producers. Executive producing are Kail, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth and Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 film and its 2024 theatrical sequel.
Live-action remakes of popular animated properties continue to be a priority for Disney, which recently put a new version of 2010’s Tangledback in development after it was paused earlier this year following Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot’s live-action Snow White underperforming at the box office. The studio had a massive hit with the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, while Barry Jenkins’ prequel movie Mufasa: The Lion King also had a strong showing when it debuted late last year.
Disney and YouTube TV reached a new deal to bring channels like ABC and ESPN back to the Google-owned live streaming platform Friday, ending a blackout for customers that dragged on for about two weeks.
“As part of the new deal, Disney’s full suite of networks and stations – including ESPN and ABC – have already begun to be restored to YouTube TV subscribers,” The Walt Disney Co. said in a statement. “We are pleased that our networks have been restored in time for fans to enjoy the many great programming options this weekend, including college football.”
Disney content had gone dark on YouTube TV the night of Oct. 30, after the two sides failed to reach a new licensing deal. In the days that followed, YouTube TV subscribers were left without Disney channels on the platform — notably disrupting coverage of top U.S. college football matchups and professional sports games, among other news and entertainment offerings.
Beyond ESPN and ABC, other Disney-owned content removed from YouTube TV during the impasse included channels like NatGeo, FX, Freeform, SEC Network, ACC Network and more.
At the time the carriage dispute reached its boiling point, YouTube TV said that Disney was proposing terms that would be too costly, resulting in higher prices and fewer choices for its subscribers. And the platform accused Disney of using the blackout “as a negotiating tactic” — claiming that the move also benefited Disney’s own streaming products like Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.
Disney, meanwhile, said that YouTube TV had refused to pay fair rates for its channels. The California entertainment giant also accused Google of “using its market dominance to eliminate competition.” And executives blasted the platform for pulling content “prior to the midnight expiration” of their deal last month.
On Nov. 3, Disney also asked YouTube TV to restore ABC programming for Election Day on Nov. 4 to put “the public interest first.” But YouTube TV said this temporary reprieve would confuse customers — and instead proposed that the entertainment giant agree to restore both its ABC and ESPN channels while the two sides continued negotiations.
The blackout marked the latest in a growing list of licensing disputes in today’s streaming world. And consumers often pay the price.
From sports events to awards shows, live programming that was once reserved for broadcast has increasingly made its way into the streaming world over the years, as more and more consumers ditch traditional cable or satellite TV subscriptions for content they can get online. But amid growing competition, renewing carriage agreements can also mean tense contract negotiations — and at times service disruptions.
YouTube TV and Disney have been down this road before. In 2021, YouTube TV subscribers also briefly lost access to all Disney content on the platform after a similar contract breakdown between the two companies. That outage lasted less than two days, with the companies eventually reaching an agreement.
Meanwhile, YouTube TV has removed other networks from its platform after expired agreements. Spanish-language broadcaster Univision has been unavailable on YouTube TV since Sept. 30, for example. At the time, its parent company TelevisaUnivision decried Google’s move — noting it would strip “millions of Hispanic viewers of the Spanish-language news, sports, and entertainment they rely on every day” and called on the platform to reverse course.
YouTube TV’s base subscription plan costs $82.99 per month — which, beyond Disney content, currently includes live TV offerings from networks like NBC, CBS, Fox, PBS and more. The platform previously said it would give subscribers a $20 credit if its dispute with Disney lasted “an extended period of time” — which it reportedly allowed customers to start claiming on Nov. 9.
Disney also doles out live TV through both traditional broadcasting and its own lineup of streaming platforms. ESPN launched its own streamer earlier this year, starting at $29.99 a month. And other Disney content can be found on platforms like Hulu, Disney+ and Fubo. Disney currently allows people to bundle ESPN along with Hulu and Disney+ for $35.99 a month — or $29.99 a month for the first year.
Google and Disney have finally reached an agreement, a couple of weeks after YouTube TV lost access to Disney channels that include ESPN, FX and ABC stations. In a statement, Google said the deal “preserves the value of [its] service for [its] subscribers and future flexibility in [its] offers.” Subscribers will be able to start watching Disney channels as they return over the course of the day, as well as access any content in their library. “We apologize for the disruption and appreciate our subscribers’ patience as we negotiated on their behalf,” YouTube wrote.
The new deal “recognizes the tremendous value of Disney’s programming and provides YouTube TV subscribers with more flexibility and choice,” Disney Entertainment co-chairpersons Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, as well as ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “We are pleased that our networks have been restored in time for fans to enjoy the many great programming options this weekend, including college football,” they added.
Disney pulled its channels from YouTube’s subscription service on October 31 after the companies failed to reach a deal for the renewal of their partnership. Google said at the time that Disney “used the threat of a blackout on YouTube TV as a negotiating tactic to force deal terms that would raise prices on [its] customers.” Meanwhile, Disney accused Google of “refusing to pay fair rates for [its] channels” and using its dominance in the market to “eliminate competition and undercut the industry-standard terms” that its other partners had agreed to.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, YouTube TV subscribers will get access to select live and library programming from ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost under the terms of the new agreement. Google will also be able to offer Disney+ and Hulu bundles to YouTube TV customers and will be able to offer genre-based channel packages. Google has sent out emails to YouTube TV subscribers, notifying them about the return of Disney channels. It also clarified that they will still be able to claim the $20 credit, which the company gave out to make up for the missing channels, until December 9.
Jump for joy! A deal has been reached. Photo: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images
To quote Homer Simpson, woo-hoo! Our corporate overlords are finally getting along. Disney and YouTube TV have squashed their carriage beef, signing a deal to bring all your favorite ESPN, ABC, and Disney properties back to YouTube’s streamer. Disney Entertainment co-chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro praised the deal in a joint statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. “We are pleased that our networks have been restored in time for fans to enjoy the many great programming options this weekend, including college football,” they wrote. “Subscribers should see channels including ABC, ESPN and FX returning to their service over the course of the day, as well as any recordings that were previously in their Library,” a spokesperson for YouTube said Friday night. “We apologize for the disruption and appreciate our subscribers’ patience as we negotiated on their behalf.”
Disney’s channels — including ABC, ESPN, Freeform, and FX — went dark on YouTube TV October 30. It was the longest carriage dispute in recent memory, far exceeding the Charter Communications tiff in 2023. That only lasted 11 days. Reports found that this dispute was particularly bitter, with CEOs Bob Iger (Disney) and Sundar Pichai (Google) allegedly brought in to speed things along. It’s times like these one yearns for an old school antenna.
Under the new agreement, ESPN’s full lineup of sports — including content from ESPN Unlimited — will be made available on YouTube TV to base-plan subscribers at no additional cost by the end of 2026. In addition, access to a selection of live and on-demand programming from ESPN Unlimited will be available inside YouTube TV.
The deal also lets YouTube include the Disney+ and Hulu bundle as part of “select YouTube offerings.” According to Disney, “select networks” will be included in various genre-specific packages that YouTube TV expects to launch in the future.
“This new agreement reflects our continued commitment to delivering exceptional entertainment and evolving with how audiences choose to watch,’’ Disney Entertainment co-chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a joint statement. “It recognizes the tremendous value of Disney’s programming and provides YouTube TV subscribers with more flexibility and choice. We are pleased that our networks have been restored in time for fans to enjoy the many great programming options this weekend, including college football.”
In a statement, a YouTube spokesperson said Friday, “We’re happy to share that we’ve reached an agreement with Disney that preserves the value of our service for our subscribers and future flexibility in our offers. Subscribers should see channels including ABC, ESPN and FX returning to their service over the course of the day, as well as any recordings that were previously in their Library. We apologize for the disruption and appreciate our subscribers’ patience as we negotiated on their behalf. ”
Google had said Disney was asking for an unprecedented fee increase for the full suite of ESPN channels, ABC local stations, FX, Disney Channel, Freeform, Nat Geo and more — while Disney claimed the tech giant was “refusing to pay fair rates for our channels.” According to Google, Disney was trying to “reset” the market pricing for its programming (so it could charge similarly higher rates in upcoming renewals with other pay-TV distributors) and that Disney was insisting YouTube TV take the Mouse House’s full lineup of networks. The negotiating teams were led by Disney Platform Distribution EVP Sean Breen and YouTube chief business officer Mary Ellen Coe.
The removal of Disney’s networks from YouTube TV came a day before a busy Nov. 1 Saturday slate for college football as major marquee teams face pivotal contests, many of them aired on ESPN and ABC. In light of the blackout, ESPN made its “College GameDay” football pregame show available free to watch via a livestream on X. YouTube TV customers also missed two airings of “Monday Night Football” on ABC and ESPN. (YouTube pointed out to users they could catch all of ESPN’s programming on the ESPN Unlimited subscription service.)
Along with Disney’s live channels, YouTube TV customers’ DVR recordings of the media conglomerate’s programming were removed, as is standard in such disputes. With the deal renewal, YouTube TV subscribers will regain access to recordings that were previously in their library, according to YouTube.
On Thursday, Disney CEO Bob Iger told analysts that the company had been “working tirelessly to close this deal” but said, “It’s also imperative that we make sure that we agree to a deal that reflects the value that we deliver, which both YouTube, by the way, and Alphabet, have told us, is greater than the value of any other provider.”
Disney Entertainment’s Walden and Bergman and ESPN’s Pitaro had previously addressed the impasse in several memos to staffers. “YouTube TV and its owner, Google, are not interested in achieving a fair deal with us,” the execs wrote in an Oct. 31 email. “Instead, they want to use their power and extraordinary resources to eliminate competition and devalue the very content that helped them build their service.”
Meanwhile, ahead of this year’s Election Night (Nov. 4), Disney asked Google to restore ABC on YouTube TV for one day to serve the “public interest.” Google declined — and instead suggested that Disney allow YouTube TV to make ABC and ESPN available while the two sides continued talks because those are “the channels that people want.” Disney didn’t go for the idea.
Disney has faced other tough negotiations with distributors amid the transition to ESPN Unlimited — the standalone streaming service launched in August that includes everything on the sports programmer’s lineup — and its continued investment in Disney+ and Hulu.
In 2023, Disney’s networks had a 10-day blackout on Charter Communications cable systems in a similar fight over price. To settle the Charter deal, Disney allowed Charter’s high-tier TV subscribers to access Disney+ and the ESPN+ streaming app. In 2024, ESPN and other Disney nets went dark on DirecTV for nearly two weeks before they reached a new deal. In October, Disney and Comcast quietly reached a carriage renewal deal.
Google has encountered no small amount of friction in deal-renewal talks this year for YouTube TV. Other programmers that have fought with the internet company include Paramount Global (now Paramount Skydance), Fox Corp. and NBCUniversal — each of which reached a new deal without a blackout. At the end of September, YouTube TV dropped Univision, with Google alleging the price increases sought by parent company TelevisaUnivision were drastically out of line with viewership on the platform.
YouTube TV is the biggest internet-TV service in the U.S., estimated to have more than 10 million subscribers. Next is Disney, which last week closed a deal to merge its Hulu + Live TV business with Fubo; together, those have almost 6 million subs in North America. Google had asserted Disney’s hardball tactics over a YouTube TV deal was “benefiting their own live TV products, including Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.”
We already could tell just from the way things went from the last few months that Disney and the BBC’s two-year partnership for Doctor Who‘s latest era wasn’t going great—and that was before we really started getting a picture of just how messy things were behind the scenes. But now we’ve just got our latest example of just how bad things seemingly broke between the two studios: the last few episodes of Doctor Who material commissioned as part of Disney’s era will actually air on the BBC well before they hit Disney+.
Although the BBC’s initial statement on the conclusion of its deal with Disney already noted that The War Between the Land and the Seawould release on BBC broadcast channels and the iPlayer streaming service this December, today the corporation confirmed that the series will officially launch December 7 with a two-part premiere in the UK, before rolling out the remaining episodes weekly throughout the remainder of the month. It also further reiterated that War Between will not see a simultaneous broadcast outside of the UK on Disney+, with the series still set to release on the streamer at a currently undisclosed point in 2026.
io9 has reached out to Disney for clarification on War Between‘s international release, with a spokesperson for the streamer only reaffirming that the series will broadcast on Disney+ in 2026.
Regardless of whether international audiences are left waiting weeks or months for the miniseries—which follows UNIT dealing with the return of the Sea Devils, a race of ancient precursor beings who have lived in Earth’s oceans since before the dawn of humanity—the current exclusive release of War Between in the UK strikes a broad contrast with how the past few years of Doctor Who have been broadcast both there and abroad on Disney+.
Controversially for UK fans, Doctor Who‘s broadcast times for the past two seasons were switched to favor streaming-first releases to accommodate better premiere times for US audiences watching on Disney+—a decision that likely contributed to the past two seasons’ diminished audience figures, which was repeatedly noted by Disney as a crucial factor in its consideration over whether or not to renew its partnership with the BBC.
Now the BBC is taking its proverbial TARDIS-shaped ball and going home, and while every Doctor Who fan now has eyes on Christmas 2026 to see just what the future of the main show looks like, international audiences will be left waiting a little longer for any slice of the Whoniverse they can get.
