This means that the exclusive deal between Disney and Netflix that went into effect last September is now finished, though according to CNBC, you still have some time to watch Netflix’s Disney theatrical content, as they won’t be removed from Netflix until 2018.
With this acquisition, Disney is beginning plans to create its own streaming services, including an ESPN one that will launch early next year and a straightforward Disney media one sometime in 2019.
It was announced today (via THR) that Disney has paid $1.58 billion for an additional 42% share in BAMTech, a streaming technology company owned by MLBAM, which itself is owned by Major League Baseball.
Disney’s new streaming service will also not affect the company’s deal with Hulu (which streams many of the studio’s older movies), and it will also not affect the Netflix’s Marvel TV shows, like the upcoming Defenders miniseries.