The launch of Disney+, Disney’s very own subscription-based streaming service, has been confirmed. It’s slated for launch in the U.S on November 12, 2019, and will cost users $6.99 (about S$9.48) per month. Disney+ aims to be an ad-free streaming service, supported solely by subscription fees. It is also intended to be available on a variety of platforms, ranging from the web and smart TVs, to game consoles such as the PS4.
“This is our first serious foray in this space (video-streaming), and we want to reach as many people as possible with it.” Disney’s chairman and CEO Bob Iger explained, with regard to the $6.99 price point. Disney+ in the U.S will also be making an annual plan available at $69.99 per year. This amounts to an even cheaper sum of $5.83 per month. That’s about half of what Netflix’s standard plan costs!
Following its initial launch in North America, Disney ultimately aims to have Disney+ rolled out everywhere in the world within the next two years. The streaming service is estimated to be released in Western Europe and Asia-Pacific regions starting from the end of this year, followed by Eastern Europe and Latin America from the end of 2020.
What to Expect Out of Disney+
Disney+ will be the exclusive home for new releases from Walt Disney Studios, Pixar, Lucasfilm and Marvel. At launch, Disney+ will include 7,500 episodes of current and off-air TV shows; 25 original series and 10 original movies and specials; 400 movie titles in its library, and the release of 100 recent theatrical films – according to Agnes Chu, the senior Vice President of content at Disney+.
All 30 seasons of “The Simpsons” will be available for streaming on the platform as part of these launch releases, as Disney obtained exclusive rights to the series through its acquisition of 21st Century Fox. Beyond that, all of the Star Wars films will be made available for streaming as well, along with 250 hours of National Geographic content and Marvel movies such as “Captain Marvel” and “Avengers: Endgame”.
Speaking of Marvel, the series “Falcon & Winter Soldier” and “Vision and Wanda” were just confirmed today! These two series, along with “Loki” have been confirmed to air on Disney+.
Let’s hope that Disney+ delivers on what it promises. If it does, it’s bound to be one of the strongest contenders amongst video-streaming platforms, in terms of the content it has to offer, as well as its subscription price.
Sheryl Lim, Writer (Lifestyle)
A sleepless cryptid with a sweet tooth, who spends most of her free time on the internet. Sheryl loves binge-watching shows on Netflix, Persona 5's Joker, arcades, and all her emotional support K-Pop boys.
