Variety has learned that YouTube personality Like Nastya has reached a content development arrangement with Disney. The pact calls for an original animated preschool show for Disney Jr. and Disney+, alongside live-action material targeting kids, tweens, teens, and families. Disney will also showcase a handpicked selection of Like Nastya’s preexisting library content.
“I’m incredibly proud of Anastasiia and how ‘Like Nastya’ has grown into a global brand loved by millions of families worldwide,” said Anna Radzinskaia, Nastya’s mother and the founder of the Like Nastya brand. “Bringing together the worlds of ‘Like Nastya’ and Disney is an exciting opportunity to create something truly special for a new generation.”
The Like Nastya Brand
Like Nastya was founded in 2016, and it now operates more than 25 YouTube channels. Between them, they have more than 450 million subscribers across all of them. The channels can be found in 22 different languages.
Disney’s Recent Deals
Recently, Disney has been forming alliances with popular creators. Among its recent announcements are these partnerships:
- Dhar Mann Studios
- Gracie’s Corner
- Lenny Pearce
In August, Disney reached an agreement with TikTok for sharing content. This arrangement allows fans to find and make material built around scenes from Disney films and series, covering Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, FX, and other properties. Pieces produced by creators who sign up for the program will show up on both TikTok and on Disney+ as “Verts,” the company’s vertical video offerings. The service is set to start in the U.S. within the next few months.
| Creator | Platform | What Disney Gets |
|---|---|---|
| Like Nastya | YouTube | Animated preschool series, live-action content, curated library |
| Dhar Mann | N/A | Partnership |
| Gracie’s Corner | N/A | Partnership |
| Lenny Pearce | N/A | Partnership |
| TikTok creators | TikTok | Fan-created content featuring Disney scenes |
What This Deal Means
The deal brings Like Nastya’s global audience directly into Disney’s portfolio. The live-action content covers kids, tweens, teens, and families, and the animated series targets preschool viewers.
Disney gains access to existing Like Nastya content through the curated library presentation, while Like Nastya extends its brand’s reach beyond its own channels in return.
The Bottom Line
Disney’s arrangement with Like Nastya works well for both sides. The company secures a tested content maker who already commands attention around the world, while Like Nastya picks up production backing and a wider stage for its material.
Disney treating popular creators as content producers rather than merely influencers is what the partnership signals. A creator who began on YouTube back in 2016 now has a deal with Disney, which marks a notable milestone for their career.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.