Disney-BigPond pact on Video on Demand

By VICKI ROTHROCK
HONG KONG — International TV distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company, Disney-ABC Intl. Television (Asia Pacific) has signed a video-on-demand movie agreement with Australia's BigPond Internet service provider, the Mouse House's first such deal in Oz.

Customers of BigPond's Movie Downloads service will be able to download-to-rent current and library pics from Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures and Miramax Films.

BigPond Movies was launched a year ago as Australia's first legal movie download service. Members also have access to TV shows, sports, short films and music videos.