The Walt Disney Company has updated its Australian website with a November 19 launch date for streaming service Disney+ in Australia, bringing the latest Lion King, Aladdin, Captain Marvel and Toy Story 4 to local screens in a matter of months at a cost of $8.99.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The entertainment behemoth has been gearing up for a local launch of the global platform and late on Monday evening (AEST) put a countdown on its website for the new date, a week later than the US launch, in a decision that will spark discussion about the future of the Australian video streaming industry.
Disney's update comes amid rumours the $US243 billion ($358 billion) business would reveal its plans this week after it started advertising for a new team of 10 people in Melbourne for its direct-to-consumer business.
The business' Twitter account @disneyplus started tweeting on Monday evening for the first time.
US customers will be able to bundle Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu, which includes advertising, for US$12.99 ($19.18) a month bundle from November 12.
Stan charges from $10 a month to $17 for its top tier, Netflix charges from $9.99 to $17.99, and Foxtel's Now and Kayo Sports cost $25 to $35 a month. CBS-owned Network Ten's 10 All Access costs $9.99. CBS is in the process of merging with Viacom.
While Disney's website does not name any Australian partners for the launch, media sources argue there remains a possibility for deals between the global giant's "Netflix killer" and a local player in future.
Nine Entertainment Co's subscription video streaming service Stan, and News Corp and Telstra-owned Foxtel have been named as potential partners for Disney in Australia. Nine is the owner of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
Stan has a content output deal with Disney that runs until later this year, including titles like The Lion King, Finding Nemo, the Star Wars franchise and Marvel films.
Less significant deals could also be on the cards, such as integrating the service into set-top boxes or user interfaces as Foxtel recently did with Netflix, or a deal with Disney's Hulu.
Disney chairman Bob Iger said during the company's early-August results presentation, that Disney+ would have 600 hours of National Geographic content at launch, family content from Fox Studios, and will be the service for its "vast library of movies and series ... all upcoming Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars movies, and a robust slate of high-quality original programming".
He told analysts that "if you compare us to Netflix, we're obviously going to have far less product than they do ... but we're relying on the strength of our brands and the fervour that fans of those brands have for the product".
- SMH/The Age
