Disney and South Korea’s TVING unveiled a collaboration Tuesday that they are billing as the first partnership between a global streamer and a local OTT platform in the country. The move deepens Disney’s strategic ties with Korean studio giant CJ ENM’s homegrown streaming business and follows its recently announced distribution pact in Japan.
Under the new agreement, Disney+ will introduce bundled subscription plans that combine access to Disney+, TVING and domestic streamer Wavve at discounted rates — up to 37 percent less than the cost of individual subscriptions. The bundles, which became available to Korean consumers on Monday, mark what both companies describe as “a new milestone in the OTT industry,” uniting Disney’s globally recognized IP with leading Korean content from TVING, Wavve and CJ ENM.
The partnership builds directly on Disney’s multiyear content deal announced earlier this month in Japan, under which Disney+ became the exclusive home in the country for up to 60 TVING and CJ ENM titles — including Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Reply 1988 and new original series Dear X.
In tandem, the new Korea-based bundle extends that collaboration in the opposite direction, positioning Disney+ as both a distributor of Korean storytelling abroad and a domestic platform partner for Korean consumers navigating the crowded streaming landscape at home. By teaming up, the streaming platforms will gain heft in a Korean market dominated by Netflix and its prolific output of popular K-content.
“This collaboration marks a bold step for Disney+ in Korea and a key move in our Asia-Pacific strategy, as we continue to explore innovative ways to scale our business and deepen engagement across the region,” said Tony Zameczkowski, senior vice president and general manager of direct-to-consumer for Asia Pacific at Disney. “By partnering with TVING and Wavve, we’re expanding our reach, enriching the content ecosystem, and offering greater value to consumers. We’re also proud to support the global journey of Korean content and hope this sets a new standard for cross-border collaboration in the streaming industry.”
Disney Korea managing director Soyoun Kim added that the partnership, coinciding with Disney+’s fourth anniversary in the market, “not only enhances the value we offer to Korean consumers but also strengthens our role as a bridge between local creativity and global audiences.”
Julie Choi, CEO of TVING, said the bundled plan “allows us to provide audiences with access to Disney+ content and a richer library at a more affordable price,” adding that the company looks forward to seeing “more Korean stories reach new audiences around the world” through its collaboration with Disney+ Japan.
The two-tier bundle offers consumers the choice of a Disney+-TVING-Wavve package for $15.40 (₩21,500) per month or a Disney+-TVING plan for $12.85 (₩18,000), delivering access to Disney’s premium franchises — Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars and more — alongside hit Korean dramas, variety shows and CJ ENM series.
The move reflects Disney’s ongoing effort to both bulk up and localize its streaming strategy across Asia-Pacific.
At its recent content showcase in Hong Kong, Disney’s regional leadership emphasized that it will be increasing investments in original, local-language content from both South Korea and Japan.