Background
The Pokémon anime franchise — produced by OLM, Inc. and licensed by The Pokémon Company — has been a global media staple since its Japanese debut in April 1997.
Over decades the television series has moved across broadcasters and streaming platforms in different territories while The Pokémon Company and its partners have managed international licensing.
Pokémon Horizons, the most recent anime installment, premiered in Japan in April 2023 and represents the current serialized entry in the franchise.
What was reported
An unofficial Disney news account, The Disney Beat, posted claims that Disney has regained international broadcast rights to the Pokémon anime outside Japan.
The account further asserted that episodes would begin airing on Disney Channel and Disney XD starting August 6, with episodes added to Disney+ one day after linear broadcast.
Rewritten statement (journalistic):
The Disney Beat reported that Disney has reclaimed international broadcast rights to the Pokémon anime and plans to schedule episodes on Disney Channel and Disney XD beginning August 6, with those episodes becoming available on Disney+ the following day.
This account is not an official statement from Disney or The Pokémon Company.
Verified context and current status
- Pokémon Horizons premiered in Japan in April 2023 and is the latest official series produced by OLM under The Pokémon Company.
- The Disney Beat is an independent, unofficial Disney news account; its reports do not constitute confirmation from Disney or The Pokémon Company.
- At the time of publication, Netflix continues to list and stream episodes of recent Pokémon seasons in regions where Netflix holds distribution rights.
What’s next
Neither Disney nor The Pokémon Company has published an official press release confirming a new international licensing agreement or a broadcast schedule tied to the August 6 date reported by The Disney Beat.
Until either corporate party confirms via an official channel — a corporate press release, a verified social account, or a network programming bulletin — these claims should be treated as unverified.
Why this matters
Any change in international broadcast or streaming partners would affect where global audiences find Pokémon episodes and could shift future licensing windows for linear broadcast and streaming.
For fans and industry watchers, formal confirmation will clarify which seasons and territories are included, and whether agreements cover classic catalog episodes, current seasons such as Pokémon Horizons, or both.
We will update this report when Disney, The Pokémon Company, or an authorized broadcast partner issues an official statement.
The Pokémon anime franchise — produced by OLM, Inc. and licensed by The Pokémon Company — has been a global media staple since its Japanese debut in April 1997.
Over decades the television series has moved across broadcasters and streaming platforms in different territories while The Pokémon Company and its partners have managed international licensing.
Pokémon Horizons, the most recent anime installment, premiered in Japan in April 2023 and represents the current serialized entry in the franchise.
What was reported
An unofficial Disney news account, The Disney Beat, posted claims that Disney has regained international broadcast rights to the Pokémon anime outside Japan.
The account further asserted that episodes would begin airing on Disney Channel and Disney XD starting August 6, with episodes added to Disney+ one day after linear broadcast.
Rewritten statement (journalistic):
The Disney Beat reported that Disney has reclaimed international broadcast rights to the Pokémon anime and plans to schedule episodes on Disney Channel and Disney XD beginning August 6, with those episodes becoming available on Disney+ the following day.
This account is not an official statement from Disney or The Pokémon Company.
Verified context and current status
- Pokémon Horizons premiered in Japan in April 2023 and is the latest official series produced by OLM under The Pokémon Company.
- The Disney Beat is an independent, unofficial Disney news account; its reports do not constitute confirmation from Disney or The Pokémon Company.
- At the time of publication, Netflix continues to list and stream episodes of recent Pokémon seasons in regions where Netflix holds distribution rights.
What’s next
Neither Disney nor The Pokémon Company has published an official press release confirming a new international licensing agreement or a broadcast schedule tied to the August 6 date reported by The Disney Beat.
Until either corporate party confirms via an official channel — a corporate press release, a verified social account, or a network programming bulletin — these claims should be treated as unverified.
Why this matters
Any change in international broadcast or streaming partners would affect where global audiences find Pokémon episodes and could shift future licensing windows for linear broadcast and streaming.
For fans and industry watchers, formal confirmation will clarify which seasons and territories are included, and whether agreements cover classic catalog episodes, current seasons such as Pokémon Horizons, or both.
We will update this report when Disney, The Pokémon Company, or an authorized broadcast partner issues an official statement.
