Media conglomerate Disney (DIS) has agreed to make a $1B equity investment in ChatGPT owner OpenAI (OPENAI) and has signed a major licensing agreement under which OpenAI’s generative AI video service Sora will have the rights to generate content using Disney’s IP.
As part of the three-year agreement, Disney will allow OpenAI to use its portfolio of more than 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars characters to generate AI video content. Users will also be able to watch curated selections of Sora-generated videos on Disney+. The agreement does not include any talent likenesses or voices.
Through this agreement, Disney said it will become a major customer of OpenAI, using its APIs to build new products, tools, and experiences, including for Disney+, and deploying ChatGPT for its employees.
Sora and ChatGPT images are expected to start generating fan-inspired videos with Disney’s multi-brand licensed characters in early 2026, the companies said on Thursday.