Well, it looks like there is new information about the upcoming Disney streaming service and it is very interesting. Before we get to what we know, how about what we don't know....and that is a lot. The two top things, in my opinion, is that we don't know the name or how much the service will cost. We can make some educated guesses, the cost would have to be competative with the current streaming services. At the moment, basic Netflix service is $7.99 month. Hulu, with limited commercials is $7.99 a month, and without commercials is $11.99 a month. With both producing original content, my guess is the "Disneyflix" will fall in between the two, when it comes to price.
Like I said, Netflix and Hulu are creating their own content. Netflix appears to be much more successful at this point, but there is something most people don't know. Before the Disney's acquisition of Fox, Hulu was owned by Fox, Disney, Comcast, and Time Warner. Therefore, now with the new deal, Disney has controlling interest in Hulu.
So, what will Disney do with Hulu? Well, that is something we know. They announced recently that "Disneyflix" will be strictly family friendly, no R-rated content. So, they can have the best of both worlds. Force parents to double dip, fork out money for "Disneyflix" to keep the kiddies happy and keep Hulu for themselves.
We already know that they are working on original content for the new service, like a Star Wars live action show. But they are also working on remakes of two musicals...“Lady and the Tramp” (1955) and “The Sword in the Stone” (1963). Other films headed to the service include “Togo,” a period adventure about a sled dog, and “Noelle,” starring Anna Kendrick as Santa’s daughter. Also in the mix are a remake of “Three Men and a Baby,” the 1987 comedy and “The Paper Magician,” set at a school for magic.
It was also announced that Disney will let their deal with Netflix expire, starting with the upcoming Captain Marvel. That means, all future releases will no longer appear on Netflix, but on one of the two streaming services they control (Disneyflix or Hulu). There are “no current plans” to move Marvel-themed television shows off Netflix, a Disney spokeswoman said.
That being said, Disney is in a particularly strong position, They will own Marvel, Lucasfilms, and Pixar, all of which generate huge profits. They will also acquire the entire Fox library, which includes the Simpsons. So, is it going to be worth it? If Disney is smart and does it correctly, it absolutely will. But they will have to be careful. Netflix and Amazon are going after big named film makers by thrown butt loads of money at them, they are making there play now. But Disney has something they don't, a huge library and a sports network (ESPN and the upcoming sports streaming service, ESPN+). They need to be careful and not price themselves out of competition. If they do it right, I would strongly consider dropping Netflix for "Disneyflix".
Update 8/27/18: It was announced today that the streaming service will be called "Disney Play".
