Channel 4 inks deal for Disney box sets
David Farnor | On 09, Jul 2023
The Americans, The X Files, Abbott Elementary and Empire are among the box sets heading to Channel 4 this month as part of a new deal with Disney.
The multi-series agreement covers 10 shows, adding over 1,000 hours of iconic American drama to Channel 4’s streaming platform. It kicks off with Alias Seasons 1-5 and The Americans Seasons 1-6 this summer, followed by Empire Seasons 1-6, Scandal Seasons 1-7, The X Files Seasons 1-11, Bones Seasons 1-12, The Killing Seasons 1-4, Star Seasons 1-3, Grown-Ish Seasons 1-6 and Abbott Elementary Seasons 1-2.
Nick Lee, Head of Acquisitions at Channel 4, said: “We’re so pleased to have agreed such an extensive content deal with Disney, ranging from their most iconic series like X Files to fresh hits such as Abbott Elementary and Star. We look forward to our viewers being able to binge series after series on Channel 4.”
The titles will join Channel 4’s library of comedy, drama, documentaries, reality, lifestyle and film titles as well as the international shows from Walter Presents, all available for free. The new deal lands hot off the heals of Channel 4 coming together as one single brand across streaming and linear services. It also arrives as the bigger players in Hollywood begin to react to the pressures facing the fragmented and costly streaming landscape, as offering exclusive titles alone isn’t enough to make a profitable platform, compared to the older model of licensing out titles to third parties.
The 10 new Disney series will be available to stream on Channel 4 from July 2023.
Here’s the full rundown:
Alias – from 9th July
Traveling around the world incognito. Fighting the bad guys. Wrestling with inner demons. For young spy Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) this is a typical day at her not-so-typical job as a secret agent. Utilizing a variety of disguises and secret weapons, Sydney infiltrates this dangerous underworld, discovering family secrets, hidden agendas and ultimately, love.”
The Americans
It’s the early-1980s, at the height of the Cold War and pair of Soviet spies (Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys) masquerade as a typical American couple to spy on the American Government. Their children, neighbours, co-workers, and friends are completely unaware of their activities.
Empire
Hip-hop mogul and CEO of Empire Entertainment, Lucious Lyon (Terrance Howard) has always ruled unchallenged, but a medical diagnosis predicts he will be incapacitated in three years, which prompts the sharks to circle. He must choose a successor among his three sons who are battling for control over his multi-million-dollar company, while his ex-wife schemes to reclaim what is hers.
Scandal
Former White House Communications Director, Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) starts her own crisis management firm only to realise her clients are not the only ones with secrets. She and her team use their legal smarts and connections to manage crises, save reputations, and diffuse what could be considerable scandals in Washington, D.C. Though they handle controversy professionally, this crew has a few scandals among them as well. Olivia has had an affair with the President, and though they still long to be together, their careers come first and make romance all but impossible.
The X Files
The truth is out there. Two FBI special agents, Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) are charged with investigating the seemingly unexplainable. Their strange cases include UFO sightings, alien encounters and abductions, and just about everything else among the paranormal.
Bones
Forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and F.B.I. Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) build a team to investigate unsolved and often brutal murders, but quite often, all there is to examine is rotten flesh or mere bones.
The Killing
A police investigation, the saga of a grieving family, and a Seattle mayoral campaign all intertwine after the body of 17-year-old Rosie Larsen is found in the trunk of a submerged car.
Star
Star’s life in the foster system didn’t dull her dreams, but it did give her the strength to pursue them. Committed to following the path to fame in the cut-throat music industry, the singer tracks down her sister, Simone, and her best friend from Instagram, Alexandra, and the trio make their way to Atlanta. As the young women chase down their dream, they find that ambition has a price and sometimes that price is too high.
Abbott Elementary
A workplace comedy following a group of dedicated, passionate teachers – and a slightly tone-deaf principle – as they navigate the Philadelphia public school system. Despite the odds being stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life, and though these incredible public servants may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do – even if they don’t love the school district’s less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.
Abbott Elementary will air on E4 and then be available to stream on Channel 4.
