Disney+ has entered the streaming arena with Netflix and Amazon Prime all competing for viewers. It is priced at $6.99 a month with 7 days free. There is also a package with Hulu and ESPN+ for $12.99 a month. Competitive pricing. Disney+ features content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. The brands all under the Disney banner. This is an incredible consolidation of entertainment and informative content that was spearheaded by Bob Iger and the Disney team. This is the vision that has brought in a record $8 billion at the box office. It is no longer an animation studio with a theme park. I remember the days of the Apple Dumpling Gang (1975) when Disney was very tame with family content.
Tron (1982) and then Touchstone Pictures expanded the Disney entertainment value. Then, Disney bought Pixar in 2006 for $7.4 billion. 2009, the company purchased Marvel Entertainment for $4.24 billion, I do remember the days when Marvel almost went bankrupt. This of course opened the content to cover young viewers and some adults. Then, Lucasfilm was bought by Disney for $4 billion in 2012. Disney acquired 21st Century Fox in March of this year adding National Geographic. The brilliance of this is covering the four quadrants. When audiences think Disney they know it is not in the family niche, but entertainment in its entirety. Disney+ is the fulfillment of all of these maneuvers that may carry the company in its next phase.
Tron (1982) and then Touchstone Pictures expanded the Disney entertainment value. Then, Disney bought Pixar in 2006 for $7.4 billion. 2009, the company purchased Marvel Entertainment for $4.24 billion, I do remember the days when Marvel almost went bankrupt. This of course opened the content to cover young viewers and some adults. Then, Lucasfilm was bought by Disney for $4 billion in 2012. Disney acquired 21st Century Fox in March of this year adding National Geographic. The brilliance of this is covering the four quadrants. When audiences think Disney they know it is not in the family niche, but entertainment in its entirety. Disney+ is the fulfillment of all of these maneuvers that may carry the company in its next phase.
So the question is should everyone, anyone, add yet another streaming service? My answer is if you only like a show like The Mandalorian, no. The days of three networks looking for that must-see show is over. Viewers now watch multiple programs looking for something fresh that works with their particular tastes. I’ve subscribed to a number of streaming services and I have to say you need a service where a majority of its content appeals to you. I was heavily watching one or two shows in other services and then lost interest. Hopefully, there will be new content added regularly. Disney+ features a banner running their latest shows; The Mandalorian, Encore!, original films like Lady and the Tramp, and movies like Captain Marvel. Then, it has icons for the brands before you get selections like Originals, Recommended For You, and Hit Movies.
The search leads you to Explore selections like National Geographic Exploring Our World, The Muppets, and Marvel Animation Collection. It also has the search tab so you can look on your own through the extensive library. The downside is that if you do make a search, say “Spider-Man”, then you return to the home screen and can’t continue searching titles. The page of the title you choose has a + button to add it to your Watch List and also has Suggested, Extras (a few home video extras, but basically trailers and deleted scenes for now), and Details. In some of the descriptions, there is “It may contain outdated cultural depictions.” This is great since there is some classics that don’t need to be edited. Parents have to aware and explain to their children, if not, pass on the title. I get the sensitivity, but I’m a major proponent of keeping work intact.
The search leads you to Explore selections like National Geographic Exploring Our World, The Muppets, and Marvel Animation Collection. It also has the search tab so you can look on your own through the extensive library. The downside is that if you do make a search, say “Spider-Man”, then you return to the home screen and can’t continue searching titles. The page of the title you choose has a + button to add it to your Watch List and also has Suggested, Extras (a few home video extras, but basically trailers and deleted scenes for now), and Details. In some of the descriptions, there is “It may contain outdated cultural depictions.” This is great since there is some classics that don’t need to be edited. Parents have to aware and explain to their children, if not, pass on the title. I get the sensitivity, but I’m a major proponent of keeping work intact.
There are a few titles that have “Coming soon to Disney+. Due to existing agreements this title will be available on…”. These films are pending, but I like the tag and the expected release date. So, the first day it was up, I was trying to play The Mandalorian. No luck, and also with other titles. I ended up playing The Imagineering Story, a very comprehensive documentary by Leslie Iwerks. It focuses on building Disneyland and its years up to Walt Disney’s death. There isn’t a run time, but it is about an hour long documentary. Then, it was filling up my Watchlist; cartoon series and films, Tron Uprising which I missed, it is nice to have all of the Clone Wars in one place, and classic movies like Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959). This is good diversity of content needed for a streaming service.
I would actually like a host introducing the various areas of Disney+, suggesting titles, Disney could have Kristen Bell, Pixar, John Ratzenberger, Marvel, Brie Larson, Star Wars, Mark Hamill, and National Geographic, Jeff Goldblum. This would give a personal touch to the streaming service. The Extras features are lacking for all of them. I would like introductions to some of the titles. Possibly commentary tracks (my favorite), production artwork (a great early home video feature that has been missing lately), music videos (which was big for Disney), panels at D23 Expo, and any documentaries. The docs could be attached under the Suggested button. I would like to see a show on the Disney Legends with the D23 Expo ceremonies. New episodes drop tomorrow!
I would actually like a host introducing the various areas of Disney+, suggesting titles, Disney could have Kristen Bell, Pixar, John Ratzenberger, Marvel, Brie Larson, Star Wars, Mark Hamill, and National Geographic, Jeff Goldblum. This would give a personal touch to the streaming service. The Extras features are lacking for all of them. I would like introductions to some of the titles. Possibly commentary tracks (my favorite), production artwork (a great early home video feature that has been missing lately), music videos (which was big for Disney), panels at D23 Expo, and any documentaries. The docs could be attached under the Suggested button. I would like to see a show on the Disney Legends with the D23 Expo ceremonies. New episodes drop tomorrow!
#DisneyPlus, #TheMandalorian, #TheImagineeringStory, #Encore, #LadyandtheTramp
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