Disney+ release date, price, offers, TV shows, movies, features, devices and more
Disney's much-anticipated video streaming service is now available in the US and launches in the UK tomorrow, 24 March.
It's Disney's answer to Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, but with a difference: it's the exclusive home to shows and movies from the studio, including Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar and many more.
Here is everything you need to know about Disney+, including price, shows and release dates for regions outside North America.
What is Disney Plus?
Disney+ (AKA Disney Plus) is a video streaming service. You can access it on multiple devices, including mobile phones, tablets, smart TVs, and set-top boxes. It doesn't require a cable subscription in the US, but it does require a subscription fee every month.
First touted in 2017, Disney sees it as a "big strategic shift" for the company, with its extensive library of content, including Marvel and Star Wars titles, disappearing from Netflix and other services in order to be exclusive to Disney+.
The majority of the content on Disney+ is appropriate for all ages, while shows and movies aimed at older audiences are switching over to the company's other streaming platform, Hulu.
squirrel_widget_187869
What TV shows and movies can you watch on Disney+?
Marvel Studios films and shows, as well as the Star Wars franchises, are all exclusive to Disney+. The streaming service also has 18 Pixar titles, 13 Disney animated classics from the Disney Vault, 500 films from the Disney library, Disney Channel movies, around 7,000 episodes of Disney TV, over 250 hours of National Geographic, 25 original series, and 10 original movies.
Not all content will be available across regions, however.
For example, the UK and Central Europe will not be getting Frozen 2 (nor Onwards) from launch - they are only initially being made available to original customers in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands.
In better news, it has been confirmed that UK viewers will be able to watch the entire archive of 30 seasons of The Simpsons - a relief as it was previously rumoured that it wouldn't be part of the service.
What does Disney+ feature?
Disney+ offers shows and movies in up to 4K HDR (Dolby Vision) and will up to Dolby Atmos audio. It also includes support for four simultaneous streams and the ability to set-up profiles for family members. There are also parental controls to restrict content depending on age - like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Finally, Disney+ has offline viewing, so you can download shows onto a mobile device and watch on the go.
The interface reminds us of a mixture of Apple TV and Netflix. There's a preview screen on the top third of the TV app, while the bottom has several rows with rectangle content icons. The first row serves up all of Disney's brands: Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. Subsequent rows are for recommended content, new TV series or movies, and genres.
How to watch Disney Plus
In the US (and soon other countries), Disney+ apps are available to download from app stores across a wide range of hardware, including smart TVs, tablets, smartphones, streaming devices, game consoles, even desktop web browsers. Here's a list of confirmed devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Android mobile devices
- Android TV
- Apple TV (tvOS)
- Chromecast
- Desktop web browsers
- iPad (iPadOS)
- iPhone (iOS)
- LG smart TVs (nearly 900 models)
- PlayStation 4
- Roku streaming devices
- Roku TV
- Samsung smart TVs (from 2016 onwards)
- Xbox One
Viewers in the UK will also be able to add Disney+ programming to their Sky Q boxes - and subscribe through their Sky TV account. Now TV devices will support the Disney+ app too.
How much does Disney Plus cost?
Disney+ costs $6.99 per month in the US, considerably cheaper than its main rival Netflix, which starts at $8.99.
A yearly subscription costs $69.99. Disney also bundles all its subscription services - including Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu - for just $12.99 a month in the US. Keep in mind Hulu is available for $5.99 a month as a standalone with ads, while ESPN+ costs $4.99 a month.
In Canada, the service costs $8.99 (Canadian) per month (or $89.99 per year).
In the Netherlands, the price is €6.99 per month (or €69.99 per year) and this is the same price for other European countries getting the service, including Spain, France, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
In the UK, Disney+ will cost £5.99 a month (£59.99 a year), although pre-ordering it before launch day will let you get a year's membership for £49.99.
squirrel_widget_187869
Disney+ release dates
Disney+ is available now in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands.
It will slowly become available in all major markets within two years, with the next wave of countries to get it from Tuesday 24 March 2020. That includes the UK, Ireland Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland.
Disney+ will then launch in India as Disney+ Hotstar on 29 March 2020.
Additional European countries, including Belgium, the Nordics and Portugal will follow in summer 2020.
Disney revealed that launch titles may vary by territory, so some shows and movies might not be available in your region.
from Pocket-lint https://ift.tt/2MKetA0
via IFTTT
No comments: