Channel 4 comes to Disney+ in 2027. Its live channel costs nothing extra

Channel 4 and Disney said on 27 October that Channel 4’s main HD channel will stream live inside Disney+ in the UK and Ireland from early 2027. Subscribers will not pay extra for it. Neither company disclosed the financial terms.

The deal also covers on-demand shows. Several new Channel 4 programmes each year will land on Disney+ on the same day they air on TV. The first named titles are the drama Maya with Bella Ramsey, the comedy Stepping Up with Denise Welch and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. Older shows such as 24 Hours in A&E, Big Mood and Tip Toe will sit in a separate Channel 4 section of the app.

Disney+ now carries ITV, RAI, ZDF and Channel 4 shows

Channel 4 joins a growing list of European broadcasters that sell or share content with Disney+. Indian Television lists ITV in the UK, RAI in Italy, ARD and ZDF in Germany, SIC in Portugal, and RTVE and Atresmedia in Spain. In September, Disney+ also signed a deal with French broadcaster M6 for hundreds of episodes.

Adam Smith, who runs Disney’s streaming business, said in the announcement that “local broadcaster partnerships are very important as we build our content libraries”. Karl Holmes, head of Disney+ in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said subscribers in the region grew 30% over 18 months.

Channel 4 reaches older viewers, Disney+ reaches younger ones

Viewing data from Barb, the UK audience measurement body, shows why both sides want this. People aged 55 and over account for 63% of the hours spent watching Channel 4. On Disney+, the same age group accounts for just 11%. People aged 16 to 34 make up 10% of Channel 4 viewing but 39% of Disney+ viewing.

Channel 4 CEO Priya Dogra said the partnership offers “more choice and value for audiences”. She also said Channel 4’s own channel and its streaming service remain its main homes.

Channel 4 has not said who sells ads in the Disney+ stream

Neither statement explains how advertising will work when the live channel plays inside Disney+. Disney already allows ads in every Disney+ plan. If Channel 4’s ad breaks run as normal, a UK advertiser could reach Disney+ viewers through a Channel 4 buy. If Disney replaces them, Disney+ gains a new block of British TV to sell.

The question for media buyers is simple: will Channel 4 count viewing inside Disney+ in the audience figures it sells to advertisers? The companies have until the early 2027 launch to say.