Disney+ to embed Channel 4 broadcasts for U.K. and Irish subscribers

Disney+ will integrate the entire broadcast service of U.K. public broadcaster Channel 4 into its streaming platform for customers in the U.K. and Ireland. The move begins in early 2027 and includes Channel 4’s linear high-definition channel alongside a library of on-demand content. Disney and Channel 4 described the pact as a first-of-its-kind collaboration for the region.

Under the agreement, subscribers will access Channel 4’s main TV channel and hundreds of hours of scripted and unscripted programming directly within the Disney+ interface. The on-demand section will feature a Channel 4-branded area that mirrors the navigation and user experience of the rest of the service. Titles such as drama Maya, comedy Stepping Up, and reality format Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins will be available on Disney+ at the same time they air on Channel 4. Other existing catalog titles like Big Mood and 24 Hours in A&E will also be included.

The deal does not change the price of a Disney+ subscription. Customers in the U.K. and Ireland will gain this new content as part of their existing payment. Channel 4 CEO Priya Dogra stated that the partnership aims to reach viewers who may not currently watch the broadcaster’s main channel. She emphasized that the arrangement complements the broadcaster’s own owned and operated services rather than replacing them.

Karl Holmes, general manager for Disney+ in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, cited local content as a driver for subscriber growth. He noted that Disney+ subscribers in the EMEA region have increased by 30 percent over the last 18 months. Holmes attributed part of that rise to licensing deals with free-to-air broadcasters. He identified the Channel 4 agreement as the most ambitious partnership Disney+ has signed in the region to date.

Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro has previously defined Disney+ as the digital centerpiece of the company’s strategy. This deal follows similar arrangements Disney has struck with European broadcasters, including ITV in the U.K., RAI in Italy, ARD and ZDF in Germany, SIC in Portugal, and RTVE and Atresmedia in Spain. Financial terms for the Channel 4 contract were not disclosed in the announcement.

Data from U.K. measurement firm BARB highlights the demographic differences between the two platforms. Only 3 percent of Channel 4 viewership hours come from people aged 4 to 15, whereas 17 percent of Disney+ viewing comes from that age group. The 16 to 34 age bracket accounts for 10 percent of Channel 4 hours but 39 percent of Disney+ hours. Holmes stated that the partnership allows Disney+ to bring Channel 4’s high-profile shows to its younger audience in a premium environment.

Dogra said the partnership preserves Channel 4’s branding alongside its programming. She explained that the core thesis involves adapting to consumer habits as people seek content across multiple platforms. Both executives indicated they intend to expand the collaboration further. Dogra noted that Disney+ already licenses Disney programming like The Simpsons and films like The Avengers for Channel 4, suggesting future exchanges may deepen the relationship.