Alibaba Video Arm Signs Deals With NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures

  • Multiyear agreements give Youku subscribers access to movies
  • Deal comes as Alibaba doubles down in entertainment, Hollywood
Photographer: Anthony Kwan/Bloomberg
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Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s video streaming service, Youku Tudou, has signed content licensing deals with NBCUniversal and Sony Pictures Television, marking a deeper foray into entertainment for the Chinese e-commerce giant.

The multiyear agreements gives Youku subscribers access to hundreds of films from the studios, the service said Thursday in a statement. Users will also have faster access to new and recently released movies, including “Blade Runner 2049” and “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” Youku said.