Disney+ Set to Launch in 2019, Will Host New Star Wars and Marvel Series

Disney+ Set to Launch in 2019, Will Host New Star Wars and Marvel Series​

(November 9, 2018) The clock is ticking is on Netflix. Last August, Disney abruptly announced it wouldn't renew exclusive movie and TV contracts with the streaming giant, while simultaneously announcing plans to launch a streaming service of its own during 2019. Yesterday, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger gave new life to the topic by revealing the service’s name – Disney+ – and confirming it will go live late next year.

Disney had previously indicated it might remain open to licensing both Star Wars and Marvel properties. However, based on Iger’s latest comments, it appears that Disney is banking on the two powerhouse worlds to boost Disney+’s desirability.

According to Iger, Lucasfilm is currently developing a second Star Wars live action series exclusively for Disney+. The series will feature “tales filled with espionage and daring missions” involving Rebel spy Cassian Andor, occupying a time prior to the events depicted in the smash-hit Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. In addition, Disney+ will also host a new Marvel series featuring the character Loki (played by Tom Hiddleston).

Disney is planning to load its streaming service with other new content involving Pixar’s Monsters Inc., Disney Channel’s High School Musical, and a new LucasFilm series called The Mandalorian produced by Jon Favreau. Favreau’s project is in production now and is said to take place after the fall of the Empire and before the birth of the First Order.

While Disney+ won’t go live for nearly a year, you can register your email with the service for up-to-date information as it becomes available.

 

[tripplej]

Streaming is starting to be like cable channels. They nickel and dime you for every channel.

 

[jdubs75]

Agreed. I foresee some interesting times ahead as networks begin these separations from the big cable providers. So far we are seeing a lot of a la carte pricing that isn't offering any savings.

 

[jdubs75]

........and Todd. as always thanks for sharing!

 

[Todd Anderson]

We're definitely witnessing a rather big change in how people will access content.

According to a recent report called Multiscreen Index by informitiv, cable and satellite providers lost nearly 900,000 subscribers during Q3 of 2018. The two satellite services lost the most (about 730K).

Big losses.

Meanwhile, nScreenMedia is reporting that Roku gained 1.8 million users during the same time period.

That's a HUGE swing.

 

[tripplej]

Eventually, it will hit a saturation point. People will get fed up just like they did with cable. Paying for x number of streaming channels will get ridiculously expensive and people will eventually revolt.

 

[Tony V.]

I agree, this move will likely only cause people to go back to just buying the movie rather than streaming if available. CBS for example launched their own streaming service last year and shut out anyone outside of the US from subscribing. I do not see how that works in their favor.