Alibaba’s Youku Stacks Up with Disney’s Biggest Cartoon Trove
What’s the Deal All About?
Alibaba’s media arm has just inked a multi‑year license with Disney’s buddy, Buena Vista International Inc. The result? Over a thousand Disney episodes will be streaming on Alibaba’s platforms, from set‑top boxes to the Youku app.
Why It Matters
- Disney had a rough start in China – its DisneyLife service was shut down by regulators in 2016 after just a few months.
- Now Alibaba’s deal gives it the biggest Disney animation library in Mainland China.
- With 580 million devices and 1.2 billion daily views, Youku is already a major player.
Industry Reaction
“Adding Disney content really beefs up our catalogue and puts us ahead in foreign content distribution,” said Yang Weidong, president of Youku. “It’s a game‑changer for us and for viewers who want top‑quality animated classics.”
What’s Next?
Alibaba has already secured deals with Warner Bros., Paramount, Fox, NBCUniversal, and Sony Pictures. This new Disney partnership just adds another heavyweight to its lineup.
