Disney has finally unveiled Disney+, its long-awaited and much-anticipated streaming service. We now know when Disney+ will be launching, how much Disney+ will cost, and the names of the original movies and shows which will be exclusive to Disney+.
Disney Drip-Feeds Us Information About Disney+
In August 2017, Disney announced it was launching its own streaming service. At the time, details were thin on the ground. However, in November 2018, Disney revealed its streaming service would be called Disney+ and it would be launched sometime in 2019.
Now, Disney has officially unveiled Disney+, revealing the launch date, the price, and the shows which will be populating this streaming service. And if Disney can deliver on its promises, Disney+ could be a serious worry for the likes of Netflix.
How Much Will Disney+ Cost?
Disney+ will launch in the United States on November 12, 2019. It will cost $6.99/month or $69.99/year for those willing to commit to 12 months. This compares favorably to Netflix, which starts at $8.99/month for the Basic streaming plan.
Disney+ will boast movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. All of which will have their own sections in the app. Beyond that the user interface looks almost identical to Netflix's UI, with rows of content.
What Content Will be Available on Disney+?
Streaming services live or die on content, and in that regard Disney+ is coming out swinging. Taking its cue from Netflix, there will be a host of original programming, with 25 original series and 10 original films, documentaries, and specials due within the first year.
Original programming includes The Falcon and The Winter Soldier and WandaVision from Marvel, Forky Asks a Question and Lamp Life from Pixar, The World According to Jeff Goldblum from National Geographic, and The Phineas and Ferb Movie from Disney.
As for older content, all 30 seasons of The Simpsons will be available from day one. And Disney will be adding "more than 7,500 television episodes and 500 films" including The Sound of Music, The Princess Bride, and Malcolm in the Middle within the first year.
What Devices Will Disney+ Support?
At launch, Disney+ will be available on a range of devices, including games consoles such as the PS4, media streamers such as Roku, and smart TVs. There will be support for up to 4K HDR video playback, and some content will be available to watch offline.
While it's initially only going to be available in the U.S. Disney is planning to launch Disney+ worldwide within two years. To find out if and when Disney+ is launching in your area you can register for email updates at DisneyPlus.com.
In the meantime here's some help choosing between Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.