Disney, Tencent Partner to Legally Stream Star Wars in China

The movie is a spin-off from the main trilogy – focusing on Rebel efforts to steal the Death Star plans, and it’s due out in December 2016… right about the time fans finally start coming down from ‘The Force Awakens’. According to Tencent, this is the first time Star Wars movies are distributed online legally in China.

China’s Internet users can now watch Star Wars movies online-legally.

Tencent recently signed deals with The Walt Disney Company and 20th Century Fox to be the exclusive TVoD and SVoD distributor in mainland China for the six films, produced between 1977 and 2005. Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. These photos, coupled with the leaked trailer and concept art from Star Wars Celebration, suggest Rogue One will feature some sort of large-scale beach invasion, but nothing is certain. China, in the Monday press release. Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) early this month began rolling out its much anticipated subscription video service, call TBO, or Tmall Box Office.

The deal marks Tencent’s latest attempt to boost online entertainment offerings such as movies and music. Tencent says it has the No. 1 video platform across PC and mobile in China.

Sy Lau, SEVP of Tencent and President of Tencent Online Media Group said today, “Through this collaboration with Disney and 20th Century Fox, we will elevate and tailor the Star Wars experience for fans via Tencent’s strong understanding of the market and the viral network effect of the highly-connected Tencent user base.”.