Disney unveils Disney+, its new streaming service

How much would you pay for Marvel, “Star Wars,” Disney Animation, National Geographic and “The Simpsons”? $15? $10? How about $6.99 a month?

That’s how much Disney+ is going to cost (it’s even cheaper if you buy the annual subscription), and honestly I’m shocked.

The price is a pretty good deal for everything you get, and it undercuts the price of Netflix, arguably Disney’s biggest competitor. I wasn’t the only one surprised – some of the investors and media members in the room gasped when the price was announced.

Time will tell who survives the streaming wars, but Disney (DIS) flexed its media muscle on Thursday and made its presence known. The mouse is in the house and it’s mighty.

There’s A LOT of content coming with Disney+, so here’s a list of all the series and films the company announced will be on the service:

Live Action Series:

Animated Series & Shorts:

Documentaries, Unscripted Series & Live Specials:

Original Films

Disney’s Investor Day is about the company’s future. Will Disney CEO Bob Iger extend his contract once again to be a part of that future?

He joked that he’s said this before but that this time he means it.

In terms of Disney’s strategy, Iger said that what the company is putting forward is “an aggressive strategy, but that “we need to be all in.”

America’s favorite family is heading to Disney+.

Disney+ will be the exclusive home of the longest-running sitcom in TV history, “The Simpsons.”

All 30 seasons of the show starring Homer, Maggie, Bart, Marge and Lisa will be available on day one of the service.

For the announcement, the Simpsons starred in a video where they all wore mouse ears in front of statues of Darth Vader and Disney CEO Bob Iger.

Disney+ will be here in time for the holidays.

The company’s new streaming service will launch on November 12, 2019 in North America. It’ll cost $6.99 a month and $69.99 a year.

Disney (DIS) said it expects to have 60 million to 90 million subscribers by end of fiscal year 2024.

“The Mandalorian” is, by all indications, the flagship series for Disney+.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and director Jon Favreau, who is producing the series, said that the series will be available on day one.

The series, which follows a helmet wearing Boba Fett-esque bounty hunter played by Pedro Pascal, will be eight episodes, according to Favreau.

The director said they are currently putting the finishing touches on the show so that it “looks like ‘Star Wars,’” which means a lot of visual effects.

The good news is that the sizzle reel and clips they showed looked exactly like what “Star Wars” has always look liked: adventurous, dark and set, well, you know, in a galaxy far, far away.

The galaxy far, far away has landed on Disney+

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy told investors that the original “Star Wars” trilogy, as well as the prequels, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Rogue One,” will be on the service on day one of the service.

Other films such as “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and “Solo” will pop up on Disney+ in the first year.

That’s interesting since it indicates that Disney likely bought back the rights to show the films. They had been owned by CNN parent Turner, which is now along with its parent WarnerMedia owned by AT&T (T). Of course, WarnerMedia is planning a streaming service of its own this year.

Marvel is a $18.5 billion film franchise and now it’ll have original shows on Disney+. A lot of original shows.

Here’s the lineup, announced on stage by Marvel Studios president, Kevin Feige:

If you want to take part in Woody and Buzz’s adventures, Disney+ has you covered.

Pete Docter, the chief creative officer at Pixar, told investors that 18 Pixar films will available on the service when it launches. Its shorts like the Academy Award winning “Bao” will be there too.

Another short about two “Toy Story” characters, “Forky Asks A Question” and “Lamp Life,” will be available for fans to watch when the service launches.

“We are not slowing down,” Docter said. “We are thrilled to show you more on the big screen and Disney+.”

Disney was built on animation and so is Disney+.

For years, Disney has famously kept many of its animated hits in its “Disney vault,” but now they’ll have a home on Disney+.

Jennifer Lee, chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation, announced that the studio’s “13 film signature collection,” which includes classics like “Bambi,” “The Jungle Book,” “Snow White and Seven Dwarfs” and “Aladdin,” will be available on Disney+ on day one.

It will also be the exclusive home of “Frozen II” next summer.

Finally, we got what came for: a demo of Disney+.

But suffice to say that the interface looks a lot like the interface for Apple TV or Netflix (think of a grid of brands and content). At the top is the “hero carousel” that will have Disney+ originals, films and series.

“Brand areas,” aka little boxes that say Pixar or Marvel on them, populate the Disney homepage. When you hover over, say, the Disney box, fireworks go off behind the iconic Disney (DIS) castle.

When you click on a title, such as “Captain Marvel,” which will be available at launch, it takes you to a title page that offers the film in high def, including 4K.

The Disney+ homepage is for navigation, of course, but it’s about showing consumers everything it owns, and reminding them that Disney is the only place to get it all.

It’s no shock that Disney (DIS) has been big at the box office, but here’s how big Disney is at the box office.

It has released 44 films since 2006 and those films have grossed $37 billion. That’s an average of $850 million per movie across its many brands, such as Marvel and “Star Wars.”

All of them will be released on Disney+ starting with “Captain Marvel.”

We’re currently in a break at Disney’s Investor Day event, but that doesn’t mean that Disney (DIS) isn’t being Disney in the meantime.

During the 15 minute break, the company has been playing classical piano versions of its classic hit songs such as “Gaston” from “Beauty and the Beast,” songs from “Mary Poppins” and “Under the Sea” from “The Little Mermaid.”

Now I’m going to have all those songs stuck in my head all day.

When Disney (DIS) acquired Fox’s assets last month it also gained control of Hotstar, an Indian streaming service.

That’s a big deal, because Hotstar has 300 million active users per month. To put that numbers in context, Netflix has roughly 150 million global users.

“India has emerged as a thriving market,” said Uday Shankar, president of Disney’s Asia Pacific unit. He added that it’s become “a magnet” for content companies.

Its tagline? “Inspire a billion imaginations.”

ESPN+ is now a “foundational pillar of our brand,” according to Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN’s president.

Pitaro told investors that the sports cable network will air “over 24,000 live events this year” and that ESPN+ helps connects its viewers across TV and digital. He said that on both platforms combined, ESPN brings in 200 million viewers a month.

Rusell Wolff, the executive VP and GM of ESPN+, said that there are 10,000 live events and originals on the streaming service, which has added more than two million subscribers in less than a year.

“Where does this all lead us?” Wolff asked. “The future.”

Disney’s streaming brand is bigger than just its new service, Disney+. It’s also Hulu and ESPN+, and soon consumers may be able to get all of them for one price.

Kevin Mayer, chairman of Disney’s Direct-to-consumer unit, told investors that it was “likely” that Disney (DIS) will bundle its streaming services. He also said that it’d be for a “discounted price.” So think cable, but smaller and on multiple platforms and all under Disney’s (DIS) corporate umbrella.

Mayer also noted that Disney+ would be ad-free, so no commercials.

Content is king, after all.

That’s how Kevin Mayer, chairman of Disney’s Direct-to-consumer unit, explained how Disney (DIS) would stand out in the world of streaming.

Mayer first showed how popular streaming has become and how much it has grown in recent years. He did mention that it’s a “growing” but “crowded” marketplace.

So Disney is hoping to stand out using its brands like ESPN, ABC, Pixar and Marvel help it stand out in its “evergreen library.” And now it has Fox.

Bob Iger is ready for the future.

The Disney (DIS) CEO walked on stage to the company’s trademark song, “When You Wish Upon A Star,” to talk about how the company will enter its second century.

Iger said that it’s an “it’s exciting time but a challenging time,” but mentioned that the company is starting from a position of strength and “unbridled optimism.” The Disney chief mentioned that new stories like “Star Wars” and Marvel fit in with the company’s timeless stories, and all of them will populate Disney+.

Disney (DIS) knows how to tell a story and it brought in heavy hitters to tell the tale of its origins.

The company’s investor day opened with a highly produced video that included narration by James Earl Jones (Disney’s Mufasa from “The Lion King”) and Patrick Stewart.

The video took guests on Disney’s journey from its origins in 1923 to its latest acquisition of Fox. Deadpool, an R-rated character from Fox’s Marvel universe and who is now with Disney, got a big laugh in the room for talking about mouse ears.

The video then went into the company’s television offerings, including series from ABC and FX. It also touched on the company’s innovations in broadcasting and at its parks and resorts. Walt Disney could be heard reading the 1955 dedication to Disneyland towards the end of the introduction video.

And with that, Disney’s Investor Day has begun.

Disney (DIS) knows investors and the public have a lot of questions about its streaming plans, and it didn’t wait long to address the curiosity.

“Our goal today is to answer as many of those questions as possible,” Lowell Singer, Senior VP of Investor Relations said kicking off the Investor Event.

He then explained the event’s lineup, which is as follows:

The first song that kicked off Singer’s remarks was “A Whole New World” from “Aladdin.” That’s apt considering that with streaming, Disney is off to a whole new world itself.

Disney’s Investor Day is kicking off soon, and investors and the media have already been greeted by Disney’s (DIS) intellectual property.

“Star Wars” stormtroopers met guests as they walked into the event in Stage 2 on the Disney lot.

For media and investors, the question becomes is this the streaming service subscribers are looking for?

Hello from sunny Burbank, California, home of Walt Disney Studios where the company will debut its new streaming service, Disney+ today.

Before we get to all the streaming fun, let’s get our bearings.

Walt Disney Studios is home to many of Disney’s most popular brands like Marvel Studios and Disney’s Animation. It’s been the company’s HQ for nearly 80 years.

It’s also home of Disney’s (DIS) corporate offices, which is held up by statues of the Seven Dwarfs. The office is located right in front of a statue of Mickey and Walt Disney himself.

So much of Disney’s past has taken place on this lot, so it’s fitting that CEO Bob Iger could be introducing a major part of Disney’s future from that same lot today.

Avengers, assemble… on Disney+.

Hawkeye, the Avenger’s bow and arrow sharpshooter played by Jeremy Renner, is the latest Marvel hero reportedly joining Disney’s new streaming service.

Variety reported Wednesday that the project will be a limited “adventure series” where Hawkeye (who’s real name is Clint Barton) will pass on his archery skills to Kate Bishop, a character from the comics who is a member of the Young Avengers. Renner will reprise his character for the show.

Hawkeye may not be the most notable Avenger or the most popular, but he’s still an Avenger. He’ll also be a part of “Avengers: Endgame,” which could be one of the biggest blockbusters of all time later this month. Filling up Disney+ will as many characters from Marvel, a brand that has made $18.5 billion globally, is a no brainer for Disney (DIS).

Whether or not Hawkeye’s new haircut will also be coming over to Disney+ is unclear.

After nearly two years of speculation, Disney+ will make its debut Thursday.

The company is planning to unveil its new streaming service at its Investor Day on Thursday from its headquarters in Burbank, California.

This is a pivotal moment in streaming, since Disney has deep pockets and an even deeper content library (that includes everything from Marvel to “Star Wars”) that can completely shake up the streaming market.

In a way, it was Disney (DIS) that kicked off the streaming wars to begin with, when it announced it was pulling its content from Netflix two years ago. That’s when Disney announced its own streaming service, putting it on a collision course with the king of streaming, Netflix (NFLX). This is our first glimpse of its so-called “Netflix killer.”

Details are scarce about the event – all Disney has said is that it will focus on “the company’s direct-to-consumer streaming services.” Disney CEO Bob Iger will likely be attendance as will Kevin Mayer, Disney’s chairman of Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer unit,

But will we get a price? Maybe. Launch date? Possibly. Footage of its new “Star Wars” series? Hopefully.

Whatever is showcased Thursday, it’ll send shockwaves through the streaming world. Disney, one of Hollywood’s biggest and most beloved companies, is finally entering a whole new world. (Yes, I sang that last part like “Aladdin.”)

Pixar’s “Monsters” are going to work for Disney+.

Disney announced on Tuesday that it will debut a “Monsters, Inc.” spin-off TV show for its upcoming streaming service. The show, which is titled “Monsters At Work,” will debut next year.

“Monsters, Inc.” is one of Pixar’s most popular brands, and has spawned two films that grossed more than $1.2 billion worldwide. Billy Crystal will once again voice the one-eyed Mike and John Goodman is returning to voice the furry Sully as they continue their adventures in Monstropolis.

“Monsters At Work” hits a audience sweet spot for Disney+.

Pixar has brought in more than $13 billion at the global box office and that’s thanks to creating films that are for kids and adults (in other words, everybody loves Pixar).

Disney (DIS) is hoping that type of success translate over to its streaming service and is relying on one Pixar’s most well known franchises to help scare up some subscribers.

Disney’s Investor Day will be all about Disney+, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be the only streaming service Disney (DIS) plans on talking about. ESPN+ and Hulu are also two major centerpieces of Disney’s streaming strategy.

ESPN+, the company’s first direct-to-consumer TV service, gives subscribers access to live sports events from like MLB, NHL, MLS and several college teams. It passed 2 million subscribers this winter.

As more people cut the cable cord, ESPN+ could be key for Disney’s streaming and TV businesses.

Then there’s Hulu. Hulu has made a name for itself with acclaimed series like “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which won outstanding drama at the Emmys in 2017. Now Disney owns a controlling stake in the service thanks to the acquisition of Fox.

Disney+ will likely be pretty family friendly focusing on brands like “Star Wars” and children’s entertainment like Disney Animation, so Hulu could be a perfect destination for Disney’s more adult and award-focused content.

We wouldn’t be surprised if the company decides to bundle ESPN+, Hulu and Disney+ together for discount.

That far-away-galaxy isn’t so far away anymore.

2019 is a big year for Disney (DIS) in streaming and at the box office, but also at its parks. The House of Mouse will open Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge this year – the largest expansion ever at its theme parks.

The lands, which are set to open at Disneyland in California on May 31 and on August 29 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida, will act as a “fully physical and immersive experience with the look, feel, sounds, smells and even tastes of ‘Star Wars.’”

Disney spent $4 billion to buy Lucasfilm, which owns “Star Wars,” in 2012. The brand has already brought in billions at the box office, but some fatigue has set in, and last summer’s “Solo: A Star Wars Story” was a box office disappointment.

Both the new Galaxy’s Edge park and Disney+, which is chock full of new “Star Wars” content, should help breath new life into the 42 year-old franchise.

The new lands will include interactive rides like Smuggler’s Run, where guests can fly the Millennium Falcon, and feature detailed locales like Olga’s Cantina, which will have plenty of “Star Wars”-esque food and drink.

It’s no longer a small world, after all for Disney. It’s a small galaxy.

Disney’s (DIS) 2019 box office could set a record, topping the $7.6 billion it grossed in 2016, it’s highest-grossing year ever. Last year it raked in more than $7 billion at the global box office, but 2019 could be bigger.

It’s massive lineup of films this year includes the smash hit “Captain Marvel,” which has already made $1 billion worldwide, and “Avengers: End Game” – a film so anticipated that it broke online ticket services last week.

Next, the studio will roll out a live-action remake of “Aladdin” starring Will Smith in May, “Toy Story 4” in June, a live-action/animated remake of “The Lion King” starring Beyonce in July, and “Frozen 2” in November.

Oh, and it’ll close out the year with the final chapter of the new “Star Wars” trilogy, “Star Wars: Episode IX.”

And all of these hits will eventually find their way to Disney+.

When it comes to content, AppleTV+ has Oprah, Netflix has a bit of everything for everyone and Disney has, well, “Star Wars,” Marvel, Pixar and the assets it acquired from Fox.

Disney (DIS) has deep vault of brands and franchises, but what shows can consumers expect from Disney+? Some series have been announced and some have just been rumored, but here’s what we know so far: