TBI Weekly: Disneyflix takes shape

Disney’s upcoming streaming service was high on everyone’s mind this week, as new details were revealed about what will be featured on the platform and how much it is likely to charge viewers.

We know now, thanks to its Q3 earnings report, that the Disney-branded service will launch in late 2019 and has “numerous original projects” at various stages of production. The New Yorker reported that at least nine movies are in production or advanced development for the SVOD platform at this current time.

Titles will include remakes of Lady and the Tramp and Sword in the Stone and episodic spinoffs of Disney franchises like High School Musical and Monsters Inc, according to the New York publisher.

Disney CEO Bob Iger was also clear to state that the service will “not have anything close” to the volume of titles that Netflix has, during a Q3 conference call with investors.

Instead Disney will separate a range of its content, from incoming Fox assets to sports segments, in various digital players from Hulu to ESPN + and its new service.

A new Star Wars TV series, as well as Pixar, Marvel, Disney and National Geographic content will head to the new platform.

As a result of a lighter service, Iger has also said that Disney’s plan is to give its new streamer a price, “substantially below where Netflix is”.

While Disney missed its Q3 shareholder expectations, many believe that its investment in digital will propel the company to become the most valuable in the entertainment space.

Investment firm Wealth Insights predicts that the company will trade at $150 by the end of the year. It says: “Disney has as strong a track record as any player in the entertainment world when it comes to converting content into cash. The Fox deal just creates an embarrassment of riches for Disney as it gears up to join the streaming battle.”

Also in the news…

Endemol Shine Brazil has added Renato Martinez, Nelson Rosa and Rubens Ajzenberg to its commercial team

DHX Media and coproduction partner BBC Children’s Productions have received a 10-episode order from CBBC and Canada’s Family Channel for season two of creeped out

Crime thriller Dead Lucky is set to premiere on AMC’s Sundance Now on September 20

OWN has renewed Ava DuVernay’s original drama Queen Sugar for its fourth season

Spanish-language network HITN is set to move its headquarters New York, US

Paul and Nick’s Big Canadian Food Trip is set to air on Scotlands STV on August 10, starring celebrity chef’s Paul Rankin and Nick Nairn

The week’s top TBI stories…

• Disneyflix details become apparent as Disney preps for SVOD launch
• Jeffrey Katzenberg’s New TV platform raises $1bn from major studios
• Obamas make first hire for Netflix outfit
• Disney reveals SVOD plans, misses Q3 expectations
• UKTV – Virgin dispute: no end in sight