The Walt Disney Company has agreed to invest $1bn in OpenAI, enabling users to make videos with its copyrighted characters on the video generation app, Sora.
Disney is the first major Hollywood studio to license parts of its catalogue to OpenAI.
As part of the three-year licensing arrangement, Sora users will be able to generate short, social videos that can be viewed and shared, drawing on more than 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars characters.
ChatGPT Images will also be able to turn a few words by the user into fully generated images, drawing from the same intellectual property. The agreement does not include any talent likenesses or voices.
Among the characters available for fans to use in their creations are Mickey Mouse, Lilo, Stitch, Cinderella, Simba, and Mufasa, as well as characters from the worlds of Encanto, Frozen, Inside Out, Moana, Monsters Inc., Toy Story, Up and Zootopia, plus animated or illustrated versions of Marvel and Lucasfilm characters like Black Panther, Captain America, Deadpool, Iron Man, Thor, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Leia, Stormtroopers, and Yoda.
Alongside the licensing agreement, Disney will become a major customer of OpenAI, using its APIs to build new products, tools, and experiences for its services, including Disney+, and deploying ChatGPT for its employees.
“Technological innovation has continually shaped the evolution of entertainment, bringing with it new ways to create and share great stories with the world,” said Robert A. Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence marks an important moment for our industry, and through this collaboration with OpenAI, we will thoughtfully and responsibly extend the reach of our storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their works.”
“Disney is the global gold standard for storytelling, and we’re excited to partner to allow Sora and ChatGPT Images to expand the way people create and experience great content,” said Sam Altman, Co-Founder and CEO of OpenAI. “This agreement shows how AI companies and creative leaders can work together responsibly to promote innovation that benefits society, respect the importance of creativity, and help works reach vast new audiences.”
The Motion Picture Association, the lobbying group of Disney, Netflix, Paramount, Amazon MGM Studios, Sony, Universal, and Warner Bros. Discovery, recently called on OpenAI to take “immediate” action on Sora2 copyright and intellectual property concerns. Discover more here.
Britain could switch off terrestrial TV in the 2030s, Sky discovers
Sky research has found that the UK is capable of fully moving to internet-delivered TV in the 2030s – if the UK Government sets a clear timetable and invests in targeted help for those most at risk of digital exclusion.
UK screen industry hits £13.3bn in 2025
The value of the UK screen industry increased by 5.4% to £13.3bn in 2025, with streaming more than compensating for the decline in traditional pay TV value, according to DEGI research. Cinema is also reportedly continuing to grow back to its pre-pandemic levels.
YouTube set to pass 30 billion videos in early 2026
YouTube has reached 29 billion videos as of December 2025, with growth driven by Shorts, AI-generated content, and expansion in markets such as India, according to new research from Omdia.
BBC appoints Rhodri Talfan Davies as Interim Director General
The BBC Board has confirmed that Rhodri Talfan Davies will act as Interim Director-General, after Director-General Tim Davie officially stands down on 2 April 2026. In doing so, the organisation has revealed that the process to appoint a new Director-General is underway.
Sky unveils plans for major redevelopment of Livingston campus
Sky has confirmed plans for a major investment in an expanded Scottish office in Livingston, having submitted a full planning application.
