Disney’s streaming platform will be cheaper than Stan and Netflix when it launches in Australia in November
Disney+ will hit Australian shores on November 19 and will be cheaper than both Stan and Netflix, with subscriptions priced at $8.99 per month or $89 for a full year.
A Stan basic subscription comes in at $10 per month while Netflix starts at $9.99 per month in Australia. Amazon Prime starts at $6.99 per month and Foxtel Now has base packages from $25 per month.
Someone asked us to formally introduce ourselves so of course we made a video. pic.twitter.com/VZLrJ6ff7k
— Disney+ (@disneyplus) August 19, 2019
The launch is sooner than expected, with Australia being named one of the first markets to receive the platform. The United States, Canada and the Netherlands will start the roll out on November 13 before Australia and New Zealand receive it six days later.
“Disney+ will launch in Canada and the Netherlands in tandem with the US on November 12th, priced at $8.99CAD per month (or $89.99CAD per year) and €6.99 per month (or €69.99 per year), respectively,” Disney said in the announcement.
“The following week, Disney+ will launch in Australia and New Zealand on November 19th, priced at $8.99AUD per month (or $89.99AUD per year) and $9.99NZD per month (or $99.99NZD per year), respectively.”
Disney+ will be available to stream across iOS, Apple TV, Android, Playstation, Xbox and Chromecast among others, but not Amazon.
Thrilled to share a first look at Disney+ with you! pic.twitter.com/iiqjFjaNra
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) April 11, 2019
The platform will give viewers access to content from across Disney’s brands, including Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and through the Disney acquisition of 21st Century Fox there will also be access to a raft of TV content, including The Simpsons which previously hasn’t streamed on Australian platforms. The programming will be ad-free and include exclusive content released directly onto the platform, including live-action remakes of Disney classics.
Going forward, the platform is going to be the exclusive home of newly created content from Disney.
Currently, both Stan and Foxtel offer Disney content in Australia, with Stan signing what is understood to be a short-term agreement with Disney in December 2018. It’s not yet clear what the Disney+ launch will mean for these agreements, with none of the parties involved commenting on the future of the content.
“Disney+ will offer fans of all ages a new way to experience the unparalleled content from the company’s iconic entertainment brands, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars National Geographic, and more, and will be available on nearly all major mobile and connected TV devices at launch with global distribution agreements in place with Apple, Google, Microsoft, Roku, and Sony,” said the announcement.
Earlier this year, Disney dumped a massive slate of planned Fox productions, off the back of losses from X-Men: Dark Phoenix. Disney CEO Bob Iger blamed a third quarter US$170m loss almost entirely on the title.
The majority of the existing Fox slate has been dumped, with Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige picked to takeover the X-Men and Fantastic Four franchises. Iger has also begun to flag exclusive content for the Disney+ platform, including reboots of Home Alone and Night at the Museum. Several new Marvel shows have also been confirmed.
Disney has said the platform will be in all major markets within two years, and will allow users to access its own ESPN and Hulu via the platform as well as offering a bundle subscription price, although there’s no word yet on whether that will land in the Australian market in the future.
Eagerly awaiting another op-ed on the benefits of a Stan-Disney tie up.
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There goes the neighbourhood
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It’ll be coming… as sure as death and taxes
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Once HBO launch in AU with their cord cutting service, Foxtel will have to start looking to buy a plot at Rookwood
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When is this happening??!!
Ive been waiting years for HBO On Demand..
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Won’t be happening any time soon
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