Today is the day that entertainment juggernauts Disney are expected to unveil to the world their grand plans for the highly anticipated streaming service Disney+. The Investors Meeting presentation is set to detail how Disney is planning to compete with the other big streaming services, such as Netflix, Amazon, and soon Apple – who recently announced that they are investing $2 billion into original content production for their streaming service Apple TV+.
As the entertainment and tech industry battle it out for our loyal subscription, what are Disney likely to offer to gain our allegiance?
First of all, despite the vast back catalog of Disney’s output, they are still going to offer less content than Netflix or Amazon as they are limited to their own studio productions. This means that the price is likely to be lower than its major competitors. Today Disney may announce how much Disney+ will cost, and it has been rumored that the service could even be free. We might have to wish upon a star for that one to come true, though.
Despite the potentially cheaper cost, what will really make viewers forgo their subscription fatigue and sign up to yet another streaming service, will be what’s available to watch. So what do we know so far about the films and shows that are going to be accessible on Disney+?
Disney has over 80 years of producing some of the most loved movies ever made, and now all of these are only going to be available to stream on Disney+. This is obviously a major draw and will especially appeal to parents who want unlimited access to family-friendly films. Along with its existing catalog, it is already rumored that Disney plans to release a series of remakes that will only be available online, such as a live-action version of Lady and the Tramp.
As Disney has expanded its operations over the past ten years, Disney+ will also be the one-stop-shop for all Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar movies, past, present and future. Disney+ will also be home to the National Geographic, another of its big five properties.
Perhaps most exciting about Disney+ is the opportunity for the company to produce original TV based on their existing franchises. These include new series based on George’s Lucas’ Star Wars, which will follow new characters from our favorite galaxy, far, far away. There are also new Marvel series being lined up, which will follow characters such as Loki, Vision and Scarlet Witch, and Hawkeye. Pixar classics are also going to get TV adaptations, such as the Monsters Inc. spin-off Monsters at Work.
Whatever Disney announced today, there definitely seems to be more than enough lined up – old and new – for people to get excited about.
