Disney unveils streaming service to take on Netflix, to be rolled out in November

Disney+ will be an ad-free subscription service with original programming as well as shows from 'Star Wars' and Marvel Studios.
Disney unveils streaming service to take on Netflix, to be rolled out in November
Disney unveils streaming service to take on Netflix, to be rolled out in November
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Taking on streaming giants like Netflix and Hulu, Walt Disney Co. has announced it will launch its new streaming service called Disney+ in November, at a price of $6.99 a month.

This comes after the entertainment giant sealed the deal on its $71 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox.

"The linchpin of Disney's streaming strategy, Disney+ will be an ad-free subscription service anchored by programming based on Disney's biggest franchises, including 'Star Wars' and Marvel Studios, as well as original programming," The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

In some markets it would take much longer due to several factors, including the fact that Disney is still in the process of clawing back the rights to its content, sold to other streaming platforms before it had platform aspirations of its own.

"And because the firm has had its chequebook out lately -- spending $70 billion on 20th Century Fox -- Disney+ will also incorporate content from recently acquired companies, such as the first 30 seasons of 'The Simpsons'," the BBC reported.

A report in Verge quotes Kevin Mayer, head of the company’s direct-to-consumer unit as saying that this service will be available to stream through smart TVs, web browsers, on tablets and mobile devices, and game consoles. 

Dsiney+ has also reportedly signed a deal with Roku and Sony for availability on respective platforms.

In terms of content, there will reportedly be a new series from Marvel based around the characters of Avengers of Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). There are also some projects under development on Loki and Hawkeye, Monsters, Inc. show, a High School Musical show, and a Star Wars series focusing on a bounty hunter, called The Mandalorian.

Notably, with its acquisition of 21st Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company now owns Indian TV giant Star, a Mumbai-based media company with dozens of sports and entertainment channels.

Disney now is also controlling 60 per cent stake in Hulu.

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