Disney Unites With Dreamworks

Disney finalizes DreamWorks deal

Will handle distribution, marketing for six pics a year

By Carl DiOrio

Feb 9, 2009, 12:20 PM ET

DreamWorks' Disney deal is done. Disney said Monday that the studio has agreed to enter into an exclusive "long-term distribution arrangement" with DreamWorks. "Under the terms of this arrangement, Disney will handle distribution and marketing for approximately six DreamWorks films each year," the studios said in a joint release. "The first DreamWorks motion picture to be released under the Touchstone Pictures banner is scheduled to hit theaters in 2010." The deal follows Friday's surprise announcement that Universal and DreamWorks had been unable to finalize their previously announced distribution arrangement. DreamWorks brass bolted Paramount in October to re-establish DreamWorks as a privately operated company. Reliance Big Entertainment has pledged $325 million to the venture, and JPMorgan Securities is leading a loan syndication that targets raising another $325 million by March 31.

Read More...