New reports on the streaming video industry show that Disney’s planned conquest of new European markets is set to take off now, albeit in a different context than what was originally expected.
TechCrunch reports the Disney+ streaming video platform is due to arrive in the UK and Ireland, as well as several countries in the European mainland including Germany, Spain and Italy, with services in France due to launch April 7.
“Launching in seven markets simultaneously marks a new milestone for Disney+,“ said Chairman of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International Kevin Mayer in a press statement. “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.”
A wider European adoption in Portugal and some of the Scandinavian countries, as well as Belgium, will follow in the summer.
Ingrid Lunden’s TechCrunch reporting also shows the coronavirus has changed the game for Disney, with the new streaming service rollout to feature a 25% cut in broadband as a concession to new realities.
As we reported yesterday shelter-in-place orders and other results of covid19 have increased demand for bandwidth, making streaming video services one of the biggest pressure points on the reliability of the global Internet.
While people are watching the Mandalorian or a National Geographic series, or Disney’s spate of popular kids programming, ISPs will have to handle the onslaught of demand from families cooped up at home.
Verizon and AT&T and other carriers have all signaled confidence in their systems. However, with so much uncertainty around many different covid19 model projections, it’s hard to say how the net will fare.
The Disney+ services will also be available on a multitude of different devices, including Apple and android iPhones, LG smart TVs and Microsoft Xbox One. Keep an eye out as the streaming video world is changed forever.
