{
  "id": 11533254,
  "title": "Disney remembers it can license exclusive content to Netflix for money",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/disney-remembers-it-can-license-exclusive-content-to-netflix-for-money",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-02T17:33:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The A.V. Club",
    "slug": "the-a-v-club",
    "url": "https://www.avclub.com/disney-licensing-agreement-with-netflix"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a surprising move reminiscent of a bygone era when companies profited from licensing exclusive content, The Walt Disney Company has struck a deal with Netflix. The arrangement, which was reported by Variety, involves Disney granting Netflix access to select content from its vast library in exchange for payment. This is a stark contrast to the current trend, where Disney and Netflix have shifted the financial burden of expensive content onto consumers through rising subscription fees and onto employees through layoffs and benefit reductions.\n\nAccording to the trade publication, this approach is part of Disney's strategy to capitalize on previously produced projects that have already captivated the company's customer base. By leveraging these assets, Disney aims to keep viewers engaged for upcoming seasons. The agreement encompasses some of Disney+'s most popular series, such as the first two seasons of Percy Jackson And The Olympians. These seasons will be available on Netflix a month and a half before the show's third season premiere on Disney+.\n\nMoreover, the deal extends to titles from 20th Century Television, including Will Trent, Shifting Gears, and the highly acclaimed Tracker. These shows are timed to coincide with their respective season premieres on traditional television networks. Disney also intends to attract new subscribers to the Ice Age franchise, which it acquired in its 2019 acquisition of 20th Century Fox. On October 4, Netflix will have access to all five Ice Age films, with the sixth installment, Ice Age: Boiling Point, set to hit theaters on February 5, 2027. However, the streaming rights for these films will be limited to a three-month promotional period.\n\nIn addition to the popular series and films, Disney will allow Netflix to stream some of its less prominent animated movies. This includes Pixar's Soul and Elio, as well as Raya And The Last Dragon, which premiered in 2021. While it remains to be seen if this strategy of selling off old products to a major corporation will mitigate the ongoing layoffs and price increases at Disney, at least Netflix subscribers will now have the opportunity to watch the eccentric Scrat character that has garnered much attention.",
  "summary": "The Walt Disney Company has agreed to license some of its content library to Netflix in exchange for legal tender.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}