It came close to zero hour, but Disney and Amazon finally hammered out a deal to make the Disney+ streaming service available on Fire TV devices.
The service, which launches on Nov. 12, will be available on Fire TV streaming devices, Fire TV Edition smart TVs and compatible Fire tablets. Disney+ content will also be included in Fire TV’s universal search feature.
When Disney first announced distribution plans for Disney+, Amazon Fire TV was notably absent from the list of devices and platforms that would support the service. A recent support suggested that the absence was linked to an advertising dispute.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Amazon wants to sell a “substantial percentage” of the available ad space on Disney streaming apps, and Disney isn’t taking the deal. The publication’s sources seemed to think a deal could still be reached, but said that if not, streaming apps for networks including ABC, ESPN and Disney Channel could be pulled down from Fire TV devices.
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Disney is shoring up the device compatibility list for Disney+ on the same day the company announced fiscal fourth-quarter earnings. The company’s consolidated revenues jumped by 34% thanks largely in part to revenues at the direct-to-consumer and international business segment totaling about $3.4 billion, up more than 100% year over year. The same segment’s operating loss increased from $340 million to $740 million, which Disney attributed to the consolidation of Hulu, costs associated with the upcoming launch of Disney+ and ongoing investment in ESPN+.
Disney’s cable networks revenues increased 20% to $4.2 billion and operating income decreased $19 million to $1.3 billion due in part to increases in programming, production and marketing costs at ESPN. Broadcasting revenues for the quarter increased 26% to $2.3 billion and operating income decreased $17 million to $377 million.
However, Disney’s primary focus for the quarterly report was on its direct-to-consumer strategy.
“We’ve spent the last few years completely transforming The Walt Disney Company to focus the resources and immense creativity across the entire company on delivering an extraordinary direct-to-consumer experience, and we’re excited for the launch of Disney+ on November 12,” said CEO Bob Iger in a statement.