Disney+ Will Carry Channel 4's Main Channel and Bake Off Live in UK and Ireland

Channel 4 will stream its main TV channel and on-demand shows on Disney+ in the UK and Ireland from early next year, under a licensing deal whose commercial terms were not disclosed. The Telegraph reported the agreement, which puts The Great British Bake Off and Gogglebox on Disney's streaming service live.

What the Channel 4 and Disney+ Deal Covers

Disney+ subscribers will be able to watch Channel 4's main channel live, including Bake Off, Gogglebox and the broadcaster's news coverage. The agreement also includes on-demand access to selected new shows, among them the upcoming comedy series Stepping Up, starring Denise Welch, and the reality show Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. Hundreds of hours of Channel 4 back catalogue programmes, such as Big Mood, Tip Toe and 24 Hours in A&E, will also be available. Channel 4 programmes will sit in a dedicated section of the Disney+ app under the broadcaster's branding.

Channel 4 is seeking younger audiences: official viewing figures show more than three quarters of its total viewing hours come from people aged 45 or older, while 16 to 34-year-olds account for 39pc of viewing on Disney+, with a further 17pc from children aged 15 or younger. Priya Dogra, chief executive of Channel 4, said the youth-focused broadcaster was "leaning into partnerships with like-minded organisations". She told The Telegraph: "Audience habits are evolving and Channel 4 needs to evolve to meet those habits. This is about how we are taking action to own our future." Karl Holmes, Disney's European streaming boss, said the deal would give Disney+ subscribers access to Channel 4's "innovative, buzzy and talked-about shows".

Channel 4's Cost-Cutting and Leadership Changes

The partnership comes during heavy cost-cutting at Channel 4, which is cutting around a quarter of its workforce in the biggest redundancy round in its 40-year history. The broadcaster posted a £10m deficit last year and has secured permission from the Government to access the remaining half of a £150m debt facility. Dogra, who took over as chief executive in March, has appointed David Brindley, the TV producer behind Educating Yorkshire and Race Across the World, as director of programmes, replacing Ian Katz.

Disney+ Streaming Partnerships Across Markets

Disney+ has expanded its streaming partnerships across several markets, according to akta.pro company records. In June 2026, Astro and Disney+ expanded their collaboration to bring Disney+ content to Malaysian audiences through Astro TV, Astro GO and NJOI, with reciprocal carriage of Malaysian originals on Disney+. Disney+ also signed a distribution deal with Orange Belgium allowing telecom subscribers to add Disney+ to existing mobile, broadband and TV subscriptions. Disney+ is available in more than 150 markets and has approximately 131.6 million global subscribers, with 57 to 60 million in the US.

Earlier Disney+ Moves in the UK and Ireland

Disney+ acquired second window rights for the RTÉ-BBC comedy-drama The Walsh Sisters in October 2026, with the show also sold to TV2, TV4, MTV Oy, Pickbox, Yes, Stan and Roku, according to Yahoo. Disney and Formula 1 said they will release the documentary The Pursuit: F1 ACADEMY on Disney+ on November 19, 2026, produced with ESPN, Forbes reported. Hulu and Disney+ will release new shows and movies in November 2026, including season 2 of All's Fair and The Remarried Empress on November 4, and season 3 of Percy Jackson on November 20, Yahoo reported.

When Channel 4 Content Arrives on Disney+

Channel 4's main channel and on-demand content will arrive on Disney+ in the UK and Ireland starting early 2027, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The partnership includes multiple Channel 4 shows available day-and-date, with financial terms undisclosed.