Disney Teams Up with Pokémon Company for Exclusive Streaming Deal

Disney has made a surprise move by partnering with The Pokémon Company International to bring both new and classic Pokémon programming under the Disney streaming umbrella. The global distribution agreement was announced at PokémonXP in San Francisco, marking a significant addition to Disney+.

The partnership centers around 'Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu', a new stop-motion series scheduled for release on Disney XD and Disney+ in 2027. This series follows the adventures of Sirfetch’d and Pichu as they try to help other Pokémon, with mixed results.

Aardman Animation, known for 'Wallace & Gromit' and 'Chicken Run', helped bring this project to life. The agreement also includes classic 'Pokémon the Series: The Beginning', which chronicles Ash Ketchum and Pikachu's earliest adventures and is now streaming on Disney+ in select international markets.

This partnership does not extend to Disney's theme parks or give them rights to build Pokémon attractions, unlike a bigger deal between Universal Studios Japan and The Pokémon Company. This new agreement highlights the growing importance of collaborations between entertainment giants.