Comcast-owned United Kingdom satellite-TV operator Sky is “on the verge” of signing a deal to integrate Disney+ directly into its Sky Q advanced video system, the London Telegraph reported.
Sky Q is similar to Comcast’s X1 platform in the U.S. Speaking last week during Comcast’s fourth-quarter earnings report, chairman and CEO CEO Brian Roberts said the company is seeking to have Sky Q achieve “X1-like penetration levels as quickly as possible.” As of the end of Q4, the system is in around 42% of Sky pay TV homes.
With Disney+ enjoying brisk uptake in the U.S. since its November 12 debut, reaching a current level of 23 million subscribers, according to one estimate. Native integration into a major UK pay TV operator’s flagship operating system would be a great way to start a European invasion.
According to the Telegraph, the service would debut on March 24 on Sky and be priced at £5.99 per month, around $7.83 in U.S. dollars. Disney+ packages family-oriented movies and TV shows from Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm and National Geographic.
Notably, Sky’s rivals, Virgin Media and BT, would still be allowed to distribute Disney+, they just couldn’t natively integrate the SVOD service into their operating systems.
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