Disney CEO sets sights on Hulu takeover, reveals SVOD plans

Disney has lifted the lid on its new streaming service, which will be called Disney+ and launched late next year.

Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed the name of the service during a company earnings call on Thursday (November 8).

The business has launched a website for the service, which highlights its portfolio of brands, including Pixar, Marvel, Nat Geo and Star Wars.

In a call with investors, Iger noted that the service will enable users to easily access content relating to each of its brands.

Meanwhile, Hulu – in which Disney will have a 60% stake after its acquisition of Fox closes next year – will include programming from Fox’s TV studio.

The exec told Bloomberg that he is interested in acquiring the 40% of Hulu it does not own, if co-owners Comcast and AT&T are keen to sell.

Disney+ content

Some of the first titles ordered by the service include an original spin-off series fronted by Marvel character Loki, who is played by Tom Hiddleston, as well as a prequel to Rogue One – part of the Star Wars franchise – starring Diego Luna.

The project is billed as a spy thriller that will follow Luna’s rebel spy Cassian Andor during the formative years of the Rebellion. It is set to begin production next year.

Meanwhile, Iron Man director Jon Favreau is prepping another Star Wars” live-action series entitled The Mandalorian – the first TV series for the franchise. Set between the original and new trilogies, the program will follow a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy.

Disney+ will also include a rebooted High School Musical show, as well as animated offerings such as the new season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and a series based on Pixar hit Monsters Inc.

Elsewhere, Anna Kendrick will front a Christmas film in which she will play Santa Claus’ daughter, while a live-action remake of Lady and the Tramp is also in the works.

Disney is to give investors and analysts a preview of the Disney+ interface at an April investor conference.

The business’s acquisition of Fox is expected to close by April.