Channel 4 Picks Up Stack Of Disney Shows Including X-Files, Abbott Elementary, Bones, The Americans & More!
Channel 4 is building up content on its revamped UK streaming service as they do a deal with Disney for a pile of shows including ‘The X-Files’, ‘Abbott Elementary’, ‘Bones’, ‘The Americans’, ‘Empire’, ‘Scandal’, ‘The Killing’, ‘Star’ and ‘Grown-ish’.
“We’re so pleased to have agreed such an extensive content deal with Disney, ranging from their most iconic series and fresh hits,” said Channel 4 Head of Acquisitions Nick Lee. “We look forward to our viewers being able to binge series after series on Channel 4.”
Channel 4 recently rebranded the streaming part of their UK service from “All4” to be called “Channel 4”, the same as the broadcast channel, allegedly, to make “it even easier for audiences, particularly younger viewers, to find and stream the very best telly available in the UK”… Although I’m not sure anyone entirely follows the logic (apart from internally at Channel 4) of how having a streaming service and linear channel with the same name makes things “easier”, but anyway…
Regardless of the name, Channel 4 streaming has been building up a good selection of shows from across the board, and this is a solid selection of old and new content from Disney.
The full list of Disney-owned shows coming to Channel 4 streaming includes:
Alias (Season 1-5)
Travelling around the world incognito. Fighting the bad guys. Wrestling with inner demons. For young spy Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) this is a typical day at her not-so-typical job as a secret agent. Utilizing a variety of disguises and secret weapons, Sydney infiltrates this dangerous underworld, discovering family secrets, hidden agendas and ultimately, love.”
The Americans (Seasons 1-6)
It’s the early-1980s, at the height of the Cold War and pair of Soviet spies (Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys) masquerade as a typical American couple to spy on the American Government. Their children, neighbours, co-workers, and friends are completely unaware of their activities.
Empire (Seasons 1-6)
Hip-hop mogul and CEO of Empire Entertainment, Lucious Lyon (Terrance Howard) has always ruled unchallenged, but a medical diagnosis predicts he will be incapacitated in three years, which prompts the sharks to circle. He must choose a successor among his three sons who are battling for control over his multi-million-dollar company, while his ex-wife schemes to reclaim what is hers.
Scandal (Seasons 1-7)
Former White House Communications Director, Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) starts her own crisis management firm only to realise her clients are not the only ones with secrets. She and her team use their legal smarts and connections to manage crises, save reputations, and diffuse what could be considerable scandals in Washington, D.C. Though they handle controversy professionally, this crew has a few scandals among them as well. Olivia has had an affair with the President, and though they still long to be together, their careers come first and make romance all but impossible.
The X Files (Seasons 1-11)
The truth is out there. Two FBI special agents, Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) are charged with investigating the seemingly unexplainable. Their strange cases include UFO sightings, alien encounters and abductions, and just about everything else among the paranormal.
Bones (Seasons 1-12)
Forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and F.B.I. Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) build a team to investigate unsolved and often brutal murders, but quite often, all there is to examine is rotten flesh or mere bones.
The Killing (US) (Seasons 1-4)
A police investigation, the saga of a grieving family, and a Seattle mayoral campaign all intertwine after the body of 17-year-old Rosie Larsen is found in the trunk of a submerged car.
Star (Season 1-3)
Star’s life in the foster system didn’t dull her dreams, but it did give her the strength to pursue them. Committed to following the path to fame in the cut-throat music industry, the singer tracks down her sister, Simone, and her best friend from Instagram, Alexandra, and the trio make their way to Atlanta. As the young women chase down their dream, they find that ambition has a price and sometimes that price is too high.
Grown-ish (Seasons 1-6)
From “black-ish” executive producer Kenya Barris comes a contemporary take on the current issues facing both students and administrators in the world of higher education. Yara Shahidi portrays Zoey – Dre (Anthony Anderson) and Rainbow’s (Tracee Ellis Ross) popular, entitled, stylish and socially active 17-year-old daughter – as she heads off to college and quickly discovers that not everything goes her way once she leaves the nest.
Abbott Elementary (Season 1-2)
A workplace comedy following a group of dedicated, passionate teachers – and a slightly tone-deaf principle – as they navigate the Philadelphia public school system. Despite the odds being stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life, and though these incredible public servants may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do – even if they don’t love the school district’s less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children. Abbott Elementary will air on E4 and then be available to stream on Channel 4.
These join previously announced acquisitions including ‘Dr. Death‘, the US remake of ‘Queer As Folk‘, ‘Becoming Elizabeth’, ‘Cruel Summer‘, and ‘Made For Love‘. The service also features a number of Channel 4 originals, along with a pile of comedy, drama, documentaries, reality, lifestyle and film titles, including international content from Walter Presents, all available for free.
The X Files, Abbott Elementary, Bones, Alias and The Americans are all set to arrive in Summer 2023, with the other shows coming later in the year on Channel 4 streaming.
