Channel 4 Disney-ABC ad-supported on-demand programming deal

19 October 2007

- US network series to be available on demand free to viewers of 4oD -

Channel 4 and The Walt Disney Company's Disney-ABC International Television have announced a partnership which enables ABC Studios shows broadcast by Channel 4 to be made available on Channel 4's bespoke video on demand channel, 4oD, for viewers to enjoy free of charge, with adverts, for up to 30 days post TV broadcast.

This is the first time in Europe that Disney-ABC International Television has made its network series available on demand, free of charge to viewers, supported by advertising.  

Tonight's episode of Ugly Betty (Friday 19th October, season 2, episode 3) will be the first show to be made available streamed and downloaded on 4oD (via PC) and subsequent seasons of Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, and the upcoming series Reaper and Dirty Sexy Money, will follow the same model. 

Each series will be supported by multiple adverts and sponsorship packages to cover on demand transmissions.

The deal was negotiated by Jeff Ford, Channel 4's Director of Acquisitions and Film4 and Catherine Powell, vice president, Sales, UK & Ireland, for Disney-ABC International Television. "We want Channel 4 viewers to be able to see our shows in a format, time and platform to suit them and to make the process as simple as possible. This deal means that viewers can now catch up on some of their favourite US shows, alongside home-grown product, free of charge at a time convenient to them which can only be good news." Jeff Ford, Director of Acquisitions and Film4.

Jim Brehm, senior vice president, Sales, Disney-ABC International Television: "We're committed to working with partners who have strong brands in the digital space, like Channel 4, to enhance consumers' viewing experience of our content, and expand its distribution. Building on this partnership, we're pleased to bring these series to UK viewers in a free, ad-supported model for the first time, allowing them to enjoy these much talked-about shows whenever, wherever and however they wish."

"Once again Channel 4 has secured advertising opportunities around some of the best content in the market, offering another level of commercial opportunity to our advertisers. Great content will drive on-demand take-up and 4oD is leading the way in this area." Errol Baran, Head of New Media Ad Sales, Channel 4.

Archive programming - those beyond 30 days post transmission on Channel 4 -will continue to be available on a pay-per-view basis on 4oD. 

Notes to Editors:

4oD

Channel 4 launched 4oD, its own-brand video-on-demand service on Wednesday December 6th making it the first UK broadcaster to make all its home-grown programming available on an on demand basis. The service offers a combination of free and pay-per-view content enabling registered users to catch up on the majority of the last 30-days of Channel 4's schedule free of charge via PC and TV platforms.