The Walt Disney Company’s Disney+ has today (March 24) made its debut in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, and Switzerland.
As previously reported by Broadband TV News, it will make its debut in France on April 7.
Furthermore, in the light of concerns regarding the current ability of certain broadband infrastructure to handle the anticipated consumer demand for Disney+, the service will now feature a lower overall bandwidth utilisation by at least 25%.
Commenting on the launch, Kevin Mayer, chairman of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International, said: “Launching in seven markets simultaneously marks a new milestone for Disney+.
“As the streaming home for Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, and National Geographic, Disney+ delivers high-quality, optimistic storytelling that fans expect from our brands, now available broadly, conveniently, and permanently on Disney+. We humbly hope that this service can bring some much-needed moments of respite for families during these difficult times.”
Consumers can subscribe up for Disney+ directly or via in-app purchase from the following platforms and devices:
Amazon (Fire TV devices, Fire TV Edition smart TVs, and Fire Tablets)
Apple (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple TV, and fully integrated with the Apple TV app in the UK and Germany; customers can subscribe to Disney+ via in-app purchase)
Google (Android phones, Android TV devices, Google Chromecast and Chromecast built-in devices)
LG Smart TVs with webOS
Microsoft (Xbox One)
Roku (Roku® streaming players and Roku TV™ models) in the UK and Ireland from today, and France from 7th April
Samsung Smart TVs
Sony / Sony Interactive Entertainment (Android-based Sony TVs and PlayStation®4)
Through a comprehensive distribution plan and several strategic agreements, Disney+ is also available across multiple premier distributors in Europe with regional deals including Deutsche Telekom in Germany, O2 in the UK, Telefonica in Spain, TIM in Italy and (from April 7) Canal+ in France.
These providers will have the ability to include Disney+ in wholesale and retail packages for their subscribers. Specifics of those offers vary per company.
Disney also has a retail distribution deal with Sky, making Disney+ available in the UK and Ireland on Sky Q, to be followed by NOW TV in the coming months.
Pricing for Disney+ has been confirmed at £5.99/€6.99 per month, or £59.99/€69.99 for an annual subscription.
Following its initial European launch markets, additional Western Europe markets, including Belgium, the Nordics, and Portugal, will follow in summer 2020.
