Taylor Swift continues to make waves in the entertainment industry with her blockbuster 'Eras Tour.' The latest news reveals that Disney has reportedly paid over $75 million for the exclusive streaming rights to 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor's Version)' on Disney+ worldwide. This deal signifies a major win for Disney, as they outbid both Netflix and Universal Pictures for the coveted streaming rights.
Although Disney has not yet commented on the agreement, anonymous sources cited by Puck News have confirmed the substantial sum paid by the company. The streaming deal includes the release of an expanded version of the original concert film, which will premiere on Disney+ on March 15. This extended edition will feature five songs that were not included in previous versions of the movie.
'After its wide theatrical premiere on October 13, 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour' achieved remarkable success, earning a staggering $261.7 million at the global box office. This tremendous feat has solidified it as the highest-grossing concert film to date,' reports Puck News. The film was captured during Taylor Swift's performances at the first three shows of the Eras tour in Los Angeles, which took place from August 3 to 5, 2023.
The theatrical release of the film, with a duration of 2 hours and 45 minutes, omitted several songs from the original performances. However, the upcoming Disney+ version will include these previously excluded tracks, along with additional bonus songs. One of the bonus songs confirmed for the streaming release is 'Cardigan,' taken from Swift's critically acclaimed 2020 album 'Folklore.' The other four bonus songs, which are acoustic performances, have yet to be revealed by Swift or Disney.
Based on a careful analysis of Swift's three shows at L.A.'s SoFi Stadium, which were filmed but not included in the initial cut, Variety predicts that the four surprise acoustic songs are likely to be 'Death by a Thousand Cuts,' 'Maroon,' 'You Are in Love,' and 'I Can See You.'
Disney is excited about the exclusive streaming rights to 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.' Bob Iger, chief of the company, expressed his enthusiasm during a recent earnings call, stating, 'We know audiences are going to absolutely love the chance to relive the electrifying 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor's Version)' whenever they want on Disney+.'
To add to the excitement, the digital release of 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour' coincided with Swift's birthday on December 13. This version, distributed by Universal, included three bonus songs that were not shown in theaters, extending the runtime to 3 hours and 1 minute. The inclusion of these additional songs further delighted fans who were eager to immerse themselves in the magic of Swift's live performances.
Overall, the streaming deal between Taylor Swift and Disney brings together two entertainment powerhouses, promising a thrilling experience for fans worldwide. With the debut of the expanded version of 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour' on Disney+, audiences will have the opportunity to relive the electrifying concert and witness the captivating artistry of Taylor Swift in action whenever they desire.
