After the impressive weekend at D23, where Disney’s upcoming streaming service wowed audiences, many started saying that the Mouse House was gunning for Netflix and would wipe the streaming leader off the map. However, there’s one major flaw in that argument, which is highlighted by a new report that says Disney+ is going to have a lot of content, but not all the content.
According to film journalist Eric Vespe (via Comicbook.com), a Disney representative at D23 confirmed the long-rumored report that Disney+ would not be the place to find R-rated material. Instead, the streaming service would focus on projects that are PG-13 or softer.
“I asked about R-rated content, if any of Fox’s more adult fare will make it on to Disney+ and he said that Disney+ will all be PG-13 or softer,” wrote Vespe.
He added, “I followed up asking if Fox’s harder edge stuff would end up on Hulu and just got a smile and ‘that’s a good assumption’ in return.”
So, while Disney+ is poised to be a massive contender in the Streaming Wars, there’s no doubt that Netflix will probably stick around, just based on the dueling companies’ priorities. The Mouse House is focused on bringing family-friendly content from established brands and IPs, while Netflix is willing to deliver everything from kids cartoons to Oscar-worthy adult dramas. You see, it’s not as simple to pit the two services against each other.
However, when you take into consideration that Hulu exists (but is not included in the regular Disney+ subscription), there’s a chance that the streaming service could see its reputation gain some credibility thanks to an influx of some of those Fox-related films and adult-oriented projects that can be streamed. But again, now you’re asking people to compare the one-stop-shop of Netflix to the two-headed beast of Disney+/Hulu. Not a true apples-to-apples comparison.
Long story short, Netflix will feel the impact of the Mouse House, but let’s not call the streaming leader dead in the water just yet. There’s a lot of factors at play, and there’s plenty of room for both companies to co-exist. But you better believe the competition is about to ramp up.
I followed up asking if Fox’s harder edge stuff would end up on Hulu and just got a smile and “that’s a good assumption” in return.
— Eric Vespe (@EricVespe) August 24, 2019