Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., the Chinese e-commerce giant, has teamed up with none other than The Walt Disney Co., largest media company in the world, in providing content services over the internet, according a news from China Daily. This is an over the top service, where an internet television setting is being used to channel contents from Disney entertainment to local consumers, and also for accessing systems for booking tickets for Disney resort.
The service is named "DisneyLife," which is a TV Box set that resembles Mickey Mouse, and is being available at the online retail unit of Alibaba, Tmail.com. The TV box package will also include a full year's subscription to Disney Life. OTT is being referred to online delivery of video, audio and other media without needing a multiple system operator for either distribution or control of the content, according to reports from the news agency.
The license agreement, made by these two companies for a multiyear contract, is about sharing movies by Disney and Pixar, games, animation series, songs, ebooks, travel services, and information on Disney resort and theme park. The TV box is mainly targeted for children and families in China, where, children have the option to view contents according to their age, and with a limitation of time for watching TV.
It is also reported that Disney has opened a Disney Store in the city of Shanghai in May 2015, and that, Shanghai Disney Resort is due to be inaugurated in Spring 2016, which is a joint venture between Disney and Shanghai Shendi.