Disney+ to Stream Channel 4 in U.K. and Ireland by Early 2027

Channel 4’s main broadcast channel and on-demand library will arrive on Disney+ in the U.K. and Ireland in early 2027. The Walt Disney Co. and the U.K. broadcaster announced the agreement on Sunday, calling it a landmark first for the region.

Subscribers will access the linear HD channel and hundreds of hours of scripted and unscripted content without paying an additional fee. The on-demand section will feature new titles at the same time they air on Channel 4. This includes the drama Maya starring Bella Ramsey, the comedy Stepping Up featuring Denise Welch, and the reality format Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Channel 4 CEO Priya Dogra said the partnership aligns with the broadcaster’s digital-first strategy. She explained that audience habits are shifting toward multiple platforms, and this deal allows Channel 4 to reach viewers who may not tune into its owned and operated services. Dogra emphasized that the Channel 4 branding will be preserved within the Disney+ interface.

Disney sees the move as a way to strengthen its local content offering. Karl Holmes, general manager for Disney+ EMEA, stated that the next wave of growth in the region will be driven by local programming. He noted that Disney+ has added 30 percent more subscribers in the EMEA region over the last 18 months. Holmes called this the most ambitious deal the service has signed in Europe.

The collaboration targets a younger demographic. BARB data shows that 3 percent of Channel 4 viewers are aged 4 to 15, while 17 percent of Disney+ users fall into that bracket. Holmes said bringing Channel 4’s buzzy shows to Disney+ allows the platform to connect with its large young adult audience. He described the deal as a culmination of lessons learned from previous partnerships with ITV, RAI, ARD, ZDF, SIC, RTVE, and Atresmedia.

Financial terms of the pact were not disclosed. Both executives indicated the partnership could expand to include more Disney content on Channel 4 in the future. Dogra noted that the broadcaster already licenses Disney properties such as The Simpsons and The Avengers. Further details on launch timing and specific content availability are expected in coming months.