Alibaba’s strategy of becoming a media powerhouse took new form Tuesday with the announcement of a new deal with Disney to bring the entertainment company’s content and merchandise to China.
Called DisneyLife, a Mickey-Mouse-themed streaming device will include a collection of Disney (DIS) and Pixar movies, animation series, games, e-books, songs, travel services, and Disney theme parks and resorts information. The box, which connects to the Internet, will be sold on Alibaba’s (BABA) online shopping mall Tmall and will cost $125, which also includes a subscription to the service.
The box, said the two companies, is more than just content. Users will be able to purchase Disney merchandise, and plan a visit to the Hong Kong and Shanghai Disney amusement parks.
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For Disney, the deal with Alibaba could potentially give the company greater access to the fast-growing Chinese consumer market, and Alibaba’s massive user base of 384 million consumers.
The deal bolster’s Alibaba’s ambitions of expanding its Internet empire from e-commerce and cloud computing into media. The news follows Alibaba’s acquisition of one of China’s largest newspapers, The South China Morning Post. Earlier this year, the e-commerce juggernaut bought Chinese YouTube-like video service Youku Tudou in a deal valued at $5.2 billion. Alibaba also offers a Netflix-like streaming service to its users.
In turn, Alibaba also sees an opportunity to help Youku Tudou monetize its massive audience using Alibaba’s advertising services.
For more on Alibaba’s media ambitions, watch this video:
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