Disney+ has agreed a global distribution partnership with The Pokémon Company International, expanding Disney’s access to Pokémon programming and including an exclusive new stop-motion series from Aardman. The deal matters because it brings a major family entertainment franchise more closely into Disney’s television and streaming services, beginning with classic Pokémon content and leading to a newly commissioned original series.

“Pokémon the Series: The Beginning” became the first programme released under the agreement when it began airing on Disney XD earlier this month; it is also streaming on Disney+ in the US and selected international markets. The new Aardman-made series, “Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu”, is due in 2027 and follows the two Pokémon on quests across the Galar region; it will air on Disney XD and stream exclusively on Disney+. The partnership was announced at Pokémon XP in San Francisco, while Aardman’s creative team includes director Tom Parkinson, IP development creative director Nat McKay and model-making creative lead James Young.