Disney+ Secures Amazon Fire TV for Launch
Amazon and The Walt Disney Company have ended what amounted to brinksmanship in the realm of next-generation television, with the latter’s Disney+ streaming service now set to be viewable on Amazon Fire TV devices when it debuts next week, Nov. 12.
“We’re excited to announce that the all-new Disney+ app will be available on Amazon devices including Fire TV streaming devices, Fire TV Edition smart TVs, and compatible Fire Tablets starting on Tuesday, November 12th,” read a press release sent out by Amazon reps this afternoon.
Related: Disney+ Still Lacks an Amazon Fire TV App a Week Away from Launch
Disney faced the prospect of its highly anticipated $6.99 new direct-to-consumer service being shut out on a dominant OTT platform. The company had already secured deals for distribution on Roku, iOS, Android and most other leading streaming devices.
Amazon had reportedly been pushing to sell a significant amount of ad inventory within Disney+. Terms of the deal weren't announced.
Fire TV users will have the ability to use Alexa voice control to download the Disney+ app when it debuts next week.
“Just say, ‘Alexa, open Disney Plus’ into your Alexa Voice Remote, paired Echo device, or Fire TV Cube with Alexa built-in,” Amazon said in its statement. “Disney+ content will also be included in Fire TV’s universal search feature making it easy to find and discover content with your voice. Just say, ‘Alexa, play The Mandalorian’ to start streaming; or discover Disney+ content in search results such as, “Alexa, find Star Wars movies.”
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Daniel Frankel is the managing editor of Next TV, an internet publishing vertical focused on the business of video streaming. A Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered the media and technology industries for more than two decades, Daniel has worked on staff for publications including E! Online, Electronic Media, Mediaweek, Variety, paidContent and GigaOm. You can start living a healthier life with greater wealth and prosperity by following Daniel on Twitter today!