Disney to stream movies online

“The Wonderful World of Disney,” the venerable prime-time TV show originally hosted by Walt Disney himself, is getting its geek on.

For the first time, Disney.com plans to stream full-length movies online. The films will air on TV, on the Disney-owned ABC network’s weekly “Wonderful World of Disney” program, every Saturday night throughout the summer, then be available for free -- that is, paid for by advertising -- on the company’s website. The lineup includes Pixar films “Finding Nemo” (it’s online through Friday) and “Monsters, Inc.” as well as such family comedies as “Freaky Friday” and “Princess Diaries 2.”

The Disney Channel original movie “Camp Rock” also will be available for streaming June 23, after its June 20 TV premiere. Think of it as a bonus Jonas Brothers feature, which includes an online chat and games.

Disney is no stranger to using its popular television show to promote new technologies. In the late 1960s, the program was renamed “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color” to tout network broadcasts’ switching from black and white to “living color.”