Canal+ extends Disney pact

Canal+ Group has extended its wide-ranging distribution agreement with Disney Media Distribution France.

This hands Canal+ first-run rights to Walt Disney movies from Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm, including the upcoming Star Wars films; and SVOD service Canalplay continued access to ABC Studios programming such as Lost, Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives, along with feature films.

The deal marks the latest event in the pair’s relationship, which is long-running and earlier this year saw them partner on a new streaming service from Disney-owned multichannel network Maker Studios.

Talking about the new agreement, Canal+’s head of films, Didier Lupfer, said: “We will be able to offer our subscribers some of our greatest productions from the prestigious Disney studios, which also include films from Marvel Studios, Disney Pixar and Lucasfilm, starting with the highly anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”