Channel 4 is coming to Disney+ in the UK and Ireland in early 2027 following a landmark agreement between the British broadcaster and The Walt Disney Company. The new partnership will bring Channel 4’s main live HD television channel to Disney+ alongside hundreds of hours of scripted and unscripted programming, all included with an existing Disney+ subscription at no additional cost.
Announced on Tuesday, 27 October, the deal will also see selected new Channel 4 programmes released on Disney+ on the same day they become available through Channel 4. Multiple shows will join the service each year, giving subscribers another way to watch British television without needing to switch streaming apps. The companies have described the agreement as one of Disney+’s most significant international partnerships with a local broadcaster.
Which Channel 4 Shows Are Coming To Disney+?
Among the programmes confirmed for the arrangement are the drama Maya, featuring Bella Ramsey, the comedy Stepping Up, featuring Denise Welch, and the reality series Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. These are among the titles expected to be available on Disney+ alongside their Channel 4 releases, rather than viewers having to wait for a later streaming window.
Disney+ will also carry hundreds of hours from Channel 4’s existing on-demand catalogue. The companies have specifically named the comedy-drama Big Mood, the drama Tip Toe and factual series 24 Hours in A&E as examples of the programming included in the offering. A complete list of shows, individual arrival dates and the size of the catalogue at launch have not yet been confirmed.
Will You Be Able To Watch Channel 4 Live On Disney+?
Yes. As part of the agreement, subscribers in the UK and Ireland will be able to stream Channel 4’s main linear HD channel directly through Disney+, meaning they can watch its scheduled programming live rather than only catching up on selected episodes afterwards. Channel 4 will have its own branded section in the Disney+ app, using the same navigation and viewing experience as the rest of the service.
The new Channel 4 offering will come at no extra cost to existing Disney+ subscribers. However, the deal does not mean that every programme on Channel 4, or every show available through Channel 4’s own streaming service, has been licensed to Disney+. The announcement refers to a selection of on-demand content and multiple new series each year. Channel 4’s existing free-to-air and streaming services are not being replaced by the Disney+ partnership.
Why Are Disney+ And Channel 4 Working Together?
For Disney+, the partnership expands its British programming at a time when streaming services are investing more heavily in locally relevant entertainment. For Channel 4, it offers an additional route to audiences who already spend time watching television through subscription platforms, including viewers who may not regularly visit its own streaming app.
Adam Smith, Chairman of Direct-to-Consumer at Disney Entertainment, said local broadcaster partnerships are an important part of Disney’s strategy to expand its libraries and reach audiences around the world. Priya Dogra, Chief Executive of Channel 4, said the collaboration would help the broadcaster’s programmes find viewers in new places and give audiences more choice.
The companies have worked together before, including a deal for select seasons of The Simpsons to air on E4. Channel 4 is also preparing to bring Friends back to its own free streaming service in 2027, although that separate announcement does not mean the sitcom is confirmed for Disney+ under this deal.
When Will Channel 4 Launch On Disney+?
Channel 4 is scheduled to arrive on Disney+ in the UK and Ireland in early 2027, but neither company has announced an exact launch date. More information about when the branded section will open, which programmes will be available immediately and how future titles will be added is expected closer to launch.
For now, the key distinction is that the deal includes both the live Channel 4 HD channel and an on-demand selection, with some new shows set to arrive on Disney+ at the same time as on Channel 4. It is a substantial expansion of the Disney+ UK and Ireland library, but the full line-up remains to be announced.
