MUMBAI: In a seemingly odd turn of events, Disney and the US cable giant Comcast, who have been at loggerhead, have formed an association for a high-speed Internet venture.

According to the deal, Comcast will pay an estimated $20 million over five years to Disney to provide online children's games, activities and video shots for its high-speed Internet customers. In February this year, Comcast had made a $66 billion offer to buy Disney but Disney officials rebuffed it resulting in a war of words between the two.

However, the present deal to launch a comparatively modest venture proves that the companies have put aside their differences in order to explore ways to tap into the flourishing broadband market. The deal provides Disney an outlet to promote its TV shows, movies and games.

"The deal reflects that broadband is a critical component of our future growth strategy," Walt Disney Internet Group president Steve Wadsworth is quoted in media reports as saying.

"What we're doing with Disney is beginning to provide a best in class content for kids and solutions for the whole family," said Comcast online business VP for marketing and business development Greg Butz.