Yahoo to sign up Disney to internet TV

Reports claim deal is in the offing

Yahoo's efforts to create a new business model to broadcast live television to the net may receive a boost, as reports claim the search provider is in talks with Disney over a potential deal.

The deal would allow some of Disney's television networks to be available on sets fitted with Yahoo's internet TV software, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited sources familiar with the matter.

Disney is looking to create online channels, or widgets, for its ESPN, ABC and Disney networks that would broadcast content to Yahoo-connected TV sets. The content would be free.

The news follows Yahoo's recent victory in the online TV space which saw it become the first firm to win rights to broadcast FA Premier League football highlights via the internet.

Meanwhile, rival News Corp is also in talks with companies, including Samsung, about licensing TV shows and movies from 20th Century Fox's library for use on tablets and internet-connected TVs, the Wall Street Journal reported.