C&W Optus says signs new Disney deal
SYDNEY, July 26 (Reuters) - Telecommunications group Cable &
Wireless Optus Ltd said on Monday it has renegotiated its deal with
Walt Disney Co's (NYSE:DIS - news) Disney Channel.
C&W Optus chief executive Chris Anderson said the deal would
guarantee that the Disney Channel would stay part of the Optus
Television pay-TV line-up, while Optus would pay substantially lower fees.
C&W Optus said the deal involved significant cost savings, but gave no figure.
The Australian Financial Review reported on Monday that C&W Optus was expected to save A$40
million in the first two years and A$85 million over the six-year life of the contract.
A C&W Optus spokesman was not available to comment.
Under the deal, Disney would be able to offer the channel to other pay-TV operators, while Optus
could include other family channels on Optus Television.
C&W said the new arrangements also included the possibility of Disney appearing on other Optus
platforms such as high speed cable modem and the Internet.
The deal follows similar renegotiations by C&W Optus with Hollywood movie studies last month,
which it said would save it about A$250 million over six years.
``Again, this deal is not dependent on our rivals agreeing to share content,' said C&W Optus chief
executive Chris Anderson.
``If Disney wants to license other providers that is now up to them,' he said.
C&W Optus, which is 52.5 percent owned by Britain's Cable & Wireless Plc (quote from Yahoo! UK &
Ireland: CW.L), said it was looking at including Disney content on its new high speed cable offering
Optus@Home, where family entertainment would be a central element. |
