Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS) has reportedly enjoined Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) in a deal that will allow the two tech companies to share rights of their digital content. The agreement will allow users who buy a Disney movie in either of the company’s online stores to watch on their smartphones or tablets regardless of operating software running on the background.
Cross Platform Compatibility
People who register with the Disney Movies Anywhere app and buy a copy of ‘Frozen’ from Apple store will be able to watch it on a device running on Android or Apple TV through their iTunes library. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has over the years stayed clear of cross-platform compatibility only allowing content bought on its store to run on iOS devices shunning any content bought from Google store. Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) had also initiated a similar restriction as the companies sought to popularize their online stores.
Disney Movies Anywhere was only compatible with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iTunes having been launched in February, but a version of the app for Android devices has now been launched.
Disney-Apple Close Ties
The latest agreement goes a long way in allowing users to buy whichever content they wish to buy without having to worry that their libraries will become null with a switch to hardware. Under the agreed deal, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) are to pay Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS) a wholesale rate for each copy of a film sold on their online stores.
The agreement will essentially allow people to build their digital movies collection without having to worry about cross-platform incompatibility. Disney and Apple have over the years enjoyed close ties as Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS) CEO, Robert Iger, is part of Apple’s board. With Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google now on board, Disney Movies Anywhere will now be able to work with retailers that control more than two-thirds go the entire digital movies landscape.
Even though Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS) produces fewer movies than other studios, it is still a powerhouse in the home video market because of its family-entertainment titles that are usually purchased for kids.
