The Walt Disney Co. has reached an agreement with Netflix Inc. that
allows the rapidly growing subscription service to stream television
shows from the ABC network, Disney Channel and ABC Family, signaling
Netflix’s growing clout as a distributor of programming over the
Internet.
The deal is worth an estimated $200 million, according to one person
with familiar with the matter. The Disney licensing arrangement would
significantly broaden the entertainment options available to Netflix
subscribers, allowing them for the first time to watch previous seasons
of a number of ABC shows including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Brothers &
Sisters,” and “Ugly Better.” In addition, Netflix will add the final
season of “Lost,” for which it previously streamed the first six
seasons.
The video service will also have shows from the ABC Family and
Disney Channel networks, including some shows from the latter channel
that initially aired as recently as 15 days prior.
