Disney’s new SVoD service could be cheaper than Netflix when it arrives towards the end of 2019.
The company’s CEO Bob Iger hinted at the news as he discussed the planned streaming project with investors on Tuesday.
He said that the service might be more affordable because its library won’t be as large, and that the company’s pricing will reflect its “lower volume” of content with some notable omissions, Variety reports.
Some of Disney’s biggest franchises, such as Star Wars movies released before next year for example, will not be available as they have been licensed to other distributors.
“The marketing will make clear that it’s not going to be on there,” said Iger. “But Star Wars movies that come out in 2019 and later, you’ll find them there.
“We want to walk before we run when it comes to volume of content. We have to put enough on to make sense from a price-to-value relationship perspective. Our first priority is going to be reaching our core Disney fan,” he added.
Some of the platform’s releases will include a live-action remake of Dumbo, Captain Marvel, and the next Avengers sequel, while several original films will also be made exclusive to the service. It is hoped that major Disney brands such as Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm will all contribute content.
Iger went on to say he believes that many Fox franchises and labels will be complementary to Disney’s content. He was particularly to buy back the rights to X-Men, Deadpool, and the Fantastic Four — Marvel brands that had been licensed to the studio, while he also revealed plans to invest in FX, NatGeo, and Fox Searchlight.
