• by Wayne Friedman , June 14, 2012

Moving further into the TV authenticated world, Disney/ABC Television announced new elements of its wide-ranging programming deal with Comcast: the launch of new mobile apps of its TV kids' networks.

Comcast Xfinity TV consumers can now access Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior via mobile and tablet devices through new apps -- Watch Disney Channel, Watch Disney XD and Watch Disney Junior --  buoyed by Web sites WATCHDisneyChannel.com, WATCHDisneyXD.com and WATCHDisneyJunior.com.

This follows the app Disney/Television launch some time ago under its Watch ESPN brand. The deal is part of a long-term distribution agreement between Comcast and Disney announced in January 2012.

Comcast Xfinity customers can get programming Disney free, while non-Comcast customers, so-called non-authenticated users -- can access apps on a limited number of “on demand” episodes each month.

Next up would presumably be ABC network shows. The companies also agreed to collaborate to create new viewing experiences for Xfinity TV customers.

Comcast said later this year that Xfinity TV will also integrate all content available through Watch apps on Xfinity.com, as well as on other viewing platforms. Xfinity TV already offers more than 75,000 TV shows and movies.

Other media companies are further along -- such as Time Warner -- making their TV networks readily available for cable operators, satellite and telco companies to incorporate via new mobile efforts.

These efforts, under so-called "TV Everywhere" initiatives, are focused on giving existing multichannel programming service consumers -- who represent around 90% of U.S. TV homes -- free access to networks on mobile/tablet devices.

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