Disney to launch its own streaming service in 2019

By Joseph Keller
published

During its latest earnings report, Disney has confirmed that it is working on a streaming video service of its own. The service, which will debut in 2019, will be the streaming home for Disney films and TV series after launch, meaning that the company plans to pull its content from Netflix.

From CNBC:

CEO Bob Iger told CNBC's Julia Boorstin Disney had a "good relationship" with Netflix, but decided to exercise an option to move its content off the platform. Movies to be removed include Disney as well as Pixar's titles. The new platform will be the home for all Disney movies going forward beginning with the 2019 theatrical slate, which includes "Toy Story 4," "Frozen 2," and the upcoming live-action "The Lion King." It will also be making a "significant investment" in exclusive movies and television series for the new platform.

The launch of this streaming service will follow the 2018 arrival of a similar, sports-themed service from ESPN. Disney says that service will feature around 10,000 events per year from across football, baseball, hockey, and more.

Joseph Keller
Joseph Keller

Joseph Keller is the former Editor in Chief of iMore. An Apple user for almost 20 years, he spends his time learning the ins and outs of iOS and macOS, always finding ways of getting the most out of his iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac.

5 Comments
  • I have subscription fatigue. I don't think I can stomach paying another fee for this content. I guess I'll have to rely on getting Disney content another way. Ugh!
  • Hey, just what I need, another subscription service! This is what I was worried was going to happen to the streaming market, so I'm glad I kept DirecTV.
  • No one will care at all. Let Disney lose MORE millions.
  • I feel like it would have to cost disney more to maintain their own service compared to the royalties they are getting from Netflix. These companies will see, people will just stop using them. People don't want to have 10 different services they pay for a month, if that is the case they will go back to cable (because prices will be similar, if not cheaper for cable).
  • And this is why I haven't cut the cord yet. Why pay $70 for internet and then have to pay Netflix $10, Hulu $10, Amazon Prime $10 and still not have all the channels or shows I'm looking for. Might as well just pay the cable company and bundle everything together.