Disney Media Distribution and the Academy have signed a six-year extension of their agreement for DMD to serve as the international distributor for the Academy Awards telecast. The extended agreement will last through 2020, Academy president Tom Sherak and Disney/ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney announced on Friday.
Under a deal signed in 2011, ABC also has the domestic rights to broadcast the Oscar show for the same period of time.
February's Oscar show was broadcast in more than 225 countries around the world – including, for the first time, live streaming on an internet site in China.
"Disney Media Distribution has been successful in securing distribution around the world for the Academy Awards and we're thrilled to extend this partnership," said Sherak in the statement announcing the extension. "The Oscars are an international event beloved by a global audience."
Added Sweeney, "We are excited to be able to extend our agreement to deliver the world's biggest celebration of entertainment to audiences around the globe. We look forward to building on the foundation of our relationship with the Academy, and working together to reach new audiences on new platforms in the years ahead."
