Disney + Sony Deal: Spider-Man’s Thwiping to Disney+!
Webheads, we have good news for you: Oscorp Industries and Stark Industries have reached an agreement! We have a new Disney and Sony deal!
Sony Pictures Entertainment and the Walt Disney Company have reached a new licensing agreement that will bring Spider-Man and other Marvel properties to Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution’s vast portfolio of platforms, starting with Sony’s 2022 movie release slate, according to a report in Variety.
Sony + Disney Team-Up for New Sony Deal
The massive and complex deal, which covers theatrical releases from 2022 to 2026, comes on the heels of Sony’s output deal with Netflix for titles in the post-theatrical release window. Chuck Saftler, head of Business Operations for ABC, Freeform, FX Networks and Acquisitions for DMED, and Keith Le Goy, president of Worldwide Distribution and Networks for Sony Pictures Entertainment, negotiated the deal.
It makes sense that these two executives were in charge of the deal, as they are both powerhouses in creative programing. For example, at the end of August 2014, Saftler was the person behind #EverySimpsonsEver, which made television history for its 12 day consecutive broadcast of Seasons 1 through 25 of The Simpsons.
Photo: Boston University
The Sony and Disney deal includes U.S. rights to new theatrical releases following their Pay 1 TV window, as well as Sony Pictures’ Universe library titles for Disney’s streaming services and linear platforms, which includes Disney+ and Hulu, as well as its linear entertainment networks like ABC, FX Networks, Disney Channels, National Geographic, and Freeform.
Elizabeth Hurley as Morgan La Fey in Runaways on Hulu. Photo: Hulu/Marvel
In addition to the Spider-Man titles, the Sony and Disney deal also includes a significant number of other library titles that will be released across its various platforms and outlets like Jumanji. Notably, Hulu’s acquiring access to a significant number of titles beginning June 2021.
What Does It Mean for Disney?
The recent deal is another example of the entertainment industry trying to grapple with changing landscape in TV and film distribution. In the official press release, which you can read at the Sony Pictures website, Saftler said:
This landmark multi-year, platform-agnostic agreement guarantees the team at Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution a tremendous amount of flexibility and breadth of programming possibilities to leverage Sony’s rich slate of award-winning action and family films across our direct-to-consumer services and linear channels. This is a win for fans, who will benefit fromthe ability to access the very best content from two of Hollywood’s most prolific studios across a multitude of viewing platforms and experiences.
Big Money Deals. Photo: The Animated Times
Not only is the deal a win for fans, but a win for the company. According to the Variety report:
The complex agreement is likely to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Sony over the term of the deal, which runs about six years in total given the lag time for Disney getting access to the movies. With Netflix and Disney deals combined, Sony is expected to rake in about $3 billion in movie licensing over the life of the deals.
Le Goy noted that the deal was “groundbreaking” and reflected the “unique and enduring value of our movies to film lovers and the platforms and networks that serve them.”
“Bring me (moving) pictures of Spider-Man!” J.K. Simmons as LEGO J. Jonah Jameson in LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2. Image: Nintendo Switch.
This is a developing story, so if you (like J. Jonah Jameson) just want to know where you can lay your eyes on (moving) pictures of Spider-Man, keep your browser on Marvel Blog!
Featured Image: CinemaBlend
