The new Disney streaming service has been further detailed by Disney CEO Bob Iger. The newly christened Disney+ service will launch in late 2019, and will bring new live action shows from several brands. New Marvel and Star Wars shows have been announced for the service as well.
Iger announced these details in a company earnings call on Thursday. Disney plans to pull all content from other streaming services, including Netflix. A new Marvel Cinematic Universe series focused on Tom Hiddleston’s Loki was announced for the service. A Disney+ Star Wars prequel centered around Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor, from Rogue One was also announced. Other previously announced Disney+ content include Jon Favreau’s (Iron Man, The Jungle Book [2016]) Star Wars: The Mandalorian, the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and a series base on Monsters Inc.
Disney+ will also be home to a rebooted High School Musical, and new movies “Noel” starring Anna Kendrick and “Togo” starring Willem Dafoe. A website for the Disney streaming service is now live, although it is lacking details about the service. There is a link to get on a mailing list for more info, and logos from associated Disney brands including Pixar and National Geographic.
The Disney streaming service was announced in 2017, as the company wanted more control over its properties. Disney owned ESPN launched a streaming service, known as ESPN+, in April 2018. That service reached one million subscribers in about five months, and broadcasts a variety of live sports games.
Disney purchased 21st Century Fox earlier this year for $71.3 billion, which includes National Geographic Partners, 20th Century Fox, FX, and various international networks. Fox News is being spun off into a separate company, and the deal is expected to be completed early 2019. No date has been specified for Disney+ launch, besides a late 2019 time frame.
