Disney Interactive Studios Strikes Video Deal with YouTube

Disney and YouTube have announced an exciting new partnership that will bring new Disney content to the internet in a new way. The two companies announced the launch of a new co-branded YouTube channel on Disney.com and YouTube, which will feature family-friendly original series.

The partnership comes as part of YouTube’s new original content plan. On October 29, the company announced that the site will be launching dozens of new channels with original content, with help from high-profile entertainers such as Amy Poehler and Jay-Z.

“With online video consumption exploding and YouTube at the center of that trend, we see an opportunity for Disney Interactive and YouTube to bring Disney’s legacy of storytelling to a new generation of families and Disney enthusiasts on the platforms they prefer,” Jimmy Pitaro, Co-President of Disney Interactive, said in a statement. “As we prepare to re-launch Disney.com in fall 2012, the Disney/YouTube destination will play a critical part in our next generation platform.”

The new partnership will be beneficial to both parties. For YouTube, the partnership will further YouTube’s presence in the world of television and help the site to gain credibility among parents and families. YouTube’s presence as one of the largest video platforms, as well as one of the well-known websites on the internet, will help to increase Disney’s exposure of their content to younger viewers, as well as expand Disney’s online presence and aid in the re-imagining of Disney.com.

Content on the new channel will include “video drawn from relevant family-friendly content currently available across YouTube, original video produced by Disney, as well as a blend of current Disney Interactive original series, select Disney Channel programming and Disney user created content.” The first series to debut on the channel will be based on “Where’s My Water,” one of Disney’s mobile games, and its main character Swampy. The series is currently expected to launch in February 2012.