“Avatar,” a blockbuster sci-fi film directed by James Cameron and released in 2009, has become the highest-grossing movie of all time, with $2.7 billion in worldwide box office earnings. However, despite Disney’s acquisition of the film’s production studio, 20th Century Fox, the movie is not currently available on Disney Plus, the company’s streaming service. This article will explore the reasons behind this.
The distribution of movies and TV shows is governed by complex licensing agreements, which can vary by region, format, and platform. In many cases, different companies may own the rights to distribute a movie or show, and these agreements often have time-limited clauses.
In the case of “Avatar,” the distribution rights are still subject to a long-term licensing agreement between Fox and HBO. This agreement, signed in 2013, grants HBO the exclusive rights to air “Avatar” on its linear channels and streaming platforms until 2022. As a result, Disney is not currently able to add “Avatar” to its Disney Plus platform until the licensing agreement with HBO expires.
Moreover, the licensing agreement between Fox and HBO includes other popular movies, such as the “X-Men” franchise and the “Ice Age” series. This agreement is part of a larger deal between the two companies, which includes the licensing of Fox’s vast content library to HBO.
Disney’s decision not to challenge the existing licensing agreement with HBO may be due to several factors. Firstly, the legal costs and potential fallout from a legal battle could outweigh the benefits of securing the distribution rights to “Avatar” immediately. Secondly, Disney may prefer to wait until the licensing agreement with HBO expires, rather than paying a premium to acquire the rights to “Avatar” earlier. Finally, Disney may be focusing its resources on creating new content for Disney Plus, rather than acquiring the rights to existing movies and shows.
It is worth noting that “Avatar” is not the only popular movie currently unavailable on Disney Plus. Other non-Disney-produced films, such as “Jurassic Park” and “The Matrix,” are also not available due to similar licensing agreements. Nonetheless, Disney has been actively working to secure the rights to popular movies and shows, as evidenced by the recent addition of the “Star Wars” and “Marvel” franchises to Disney Plus.
In conclusion, the reason why “Avatar” is not currently available on Disney Plus is due to a long-term licensing agreement between Fox and HBO. This agreement grants HBO exclusive rights to air “Avatar” until 2022, and Disney has chosen not to challenge it. Instead, Disney may be waiting until the agreement expires before adding “Avatar” to Disney Plus. This situation highlights the challenges faced by streaming services in acquiring the rights to popular movies and shows, and the complexities of licensing agreements in the entertainment industry.
