Disney is expected to detail plans of its Disney+ streaming service later today in an investors call. However, before then, the news is beginning to leak out about when we might actually get to see the service launch. Before, all that was told to us by the Mouse House is that the service would be coming in “late-2019.” Now, it appears that we can at least narrow it down to a specific month.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Disney+ will launch in November. It appears that the main reason for the long time-frame between when the service was announced and it’s November launch date is purely logistical. The report states that Disney is telling all of its software folks to focus exclusively on Disney+ so that the streaming service can have a successful (aka not buggy) launch in the fall. Disney is expecting “millions” of users in the early days of the service, and obviously, wants to make sure that there are no software hiccups that could see the launch turn disastrous.
It’s expected that at least a few of the already-announced series will be ready in time for the November launch, including the highly-anticipated “The Mandalorian,” which serves as the first-ever live-action “Star Wars” TV series. That show is spearheaded by Jon Favreau and features a whos-who of directing talent, as well as a great cast led by Pedro Pascal. (Note: more on this series is expected to be revealed this weekend during Star Wars Celebration.)
This news also comes on the heels of yesterday’s news that Marvel Studios is going to work on a new “Hawkeye” series for the streaming service, with Jeremy Renner set to star. Obviously, that isn’t expected to be ready by 2019. However, the Disney+ streaming service is expected to have some more Marvel content that could be ready by launch, including two of the 10 unscripted series that were also revealed yesterday.
Overall, much like the upcoming Apple TV+ service, Disney+ is expected to see a massive launch with original content and its library of animated classics.
And the news you really wanted. Disney + will launch on November 12 U.S. at the monthly price of $6.99 or annual price of $69.99.
— Nicole Sperling (@nicsperling) April 11, 2019