Alibaba Co-Launches DisneyLife Content System In China

Early this week, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Walt Disney Co jointly announced its multi-year licensing deal for its over-the-top content system for mainland China. Called the DisneyLife system, the Wall Street Journal said that the content system, which can be ordered online via Alibaba’s online shopping website Tmall, aims to increase sales of Disney’s toys, books and other merchandise, and trips to Disneyland. A Disney spokeswoman has confirmed that the Mickey Mouse-shaped content system is expected to be shipped to customers from December 28.

According to the press release, customers will be able to enjoy Disney and Pixar’s most popular family feature films including “Frozen,” “Cinderella,” “Big Hero 6,” “The Lion King,” “Tangled,” “Toy Story,” “Monsters University,” “Cars,” “The Incredibles,” and many more, access to a digital library of e-books for kids, and a song for every day with hundreds of tunes at launch via Wasu Media Network Co. Ltd.

Venture Beat said that the DisneyLife system is a strategic move, especially to Disney, as the company faces the typical market barriers any foreign TV network encounters when entering China.