Disney challenges Netflix: will launch its own on-demand movie and series platform in November

On November 12, Disney will launch its streaming movies and series platform: it will be called Disney+ and will cost $6.99 per month (approximately 6 euros), with the possibility of having a discount in case of an annual subscription, which will cost $69.99 (approximately 60 euros). The intent of the American company is to compete with other popular on-demand content platforms, such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. Disney’s catalog will include in the initial stages, in addition to Disney films (among which, of course, the classics: for example, already from the debut date the audience will be able to see again the very famous Lilli and the Tramp) and Pixar, also Marvel films, Star Wars, National Geographic documentaries, Fox-branded programs (recently acquired by Disney) and much more. After the November 12 launch (the date on which the service will start in the United States), there will be a gradual rollout to other countries around the world: in Europe the platform could arrive as early as the end of 2019, or at most in the first quarter of 2020, while in other parts of the world (for example, Central America or Eastern Europe) the landing is planned for the fall of 2020.

The goal announced at a press conference by Disney is to reach 90 million subscribers by 2024, the year from which the company expects the return on investment to begin. The cost of the service, which is significantly lower than that of Netflix (which costs $9 per month and currently has 139 million subscribers worldwide, including 58 in the U.S.), is probably an indication that Disney wants to position itself as an aggressive competitor that intends to carve out a leading role in the market right away. And to better achieve this goal, Disney will equip itself with a very rich library: 100 recent films (including the complete Star Wars series, all Pixar films, all episodes of the highly successful The Simpsons series, and historical films such as Titanic and Avatar), 400 classics, 10 films, and 25 original series (including the highly anticipated series The Mandalorian, a Star Wars spin-off, and the documentary series The World According to Jeff Goldblum, a world trip with renowned Hollywood actor Jeff Goldblum): all streaming in the first year of programming, and some titles from day one (e.g., the complete 30 seasons of The Simpsons, already available since November 12). No commercials are scheduled to air, plus content can be downloaded and viewed offline.

The platform was unveiled yesterday by Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of Disney; Kevin Mayer, president of the Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International segment; Christine McCarthy, vice president and chief financial officer; Lowell Singer, vice president of Investor Relations; and Jimmy Pitaro, president of ESPN and co-chairman of Disney Media Networks.

“Disney+,” said CEO Iger, “establishes a solid step forward into an exciting new era for our company, during which consumers will have a direct connection to the incredible array of creative content that is The Walt Disney Company brand. We are confident that the combination of our unrivaled storytelling, our much-loved brands, our iconic products, and our innovative technology will make Disney+ a major player in the marketplace, and deliver significant value to consumers and shareholders.”

“We are excited about the growth of our portfolio and consumer offerings,” Mayer said. “As demonstrated today, with Disney+ we bring to life an extraordinary form of entertainment, with innovative ways to reach audiences around the world. We will continue to enhance the user experience with continued access to high-quality programming, making the service increasingly attractive to consumers.”

To get a preview of Disney+, you can also visit the official website, which is already available in Italian.

Disney challenges Netflix: will launch its own on-demand movie and series platform in November

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.