The massive Star Wars fan event, Star Wars Celebration, is officially underway, and it starts out with a high-profile panel focused on the next big movie: Star Wars: Episode 9. The panel is going on right now, and you can watch the livestream below. It began with Stephen Colbert as host bringing out director JJ Abrams and Star Wars boss Kathleen Kennedy to talk about the film and the excitement around it. Beyond that, the panel promises new details about the highly anticipated third movie in the new trilogy. It's widely assumed that the first Episode 9 trailer will make its debut and that we'll get the official title. Here's when it all takes place and how to watch.
[Update: Episode 9's title has been revealed: The Rise of Skywalker. Additionally, we got the first Episode 9 trailer, which was capped off with a surprise when we heard the laughter of Emperor Palpatine.]
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and director JJ Abrams are already on stage, while the panel's official description also teases there will be "plenty of surprises and special guests." According to Lucasfilm, this is an event "you will definitely not want to miss." As of this writing, we haven't gotten many meaningful details yet, with Kennedy and Abrams talking broadly about how they reached this point and what Episode IX means to them and to Star Wars. Abrams did, however, reveal, the movie is about the core group going on an adventure together. He also noted that some time has passed since the end of the last movie. The cast has now assembled on stage, including a newcomer, although Adam Driver is conspicuously absent.
The entire panel is being live streamed. You can watch it through the Star Wars YouTube channel or in the video embed below. It's scheduled to run for an hour total, so the title and trailer--if they are coming--should be debuting soon.
Star Wars Episode 9 Panel Start Time
9 AM PT
11 AM CT
12 PM ET
5 PM BST
4 AM AEDT (Saturday, April 13)
Despite Episode 9 releasing on December 20, 2019, we know very little about it. As noted above, it doesn't have a title yet, so that could be among the reveals for the panel. There also hasn't been a trailer or any footage released, so Star Wars Celebration seems as likely a place as any to release one based on what the event typically brings. Abrams, who previously directed 2015's The Force Awakens, was brought on after Jurassic World's Colin Trevorrow was let go from the role.
The third and final entry in the new trilogy that began with The Force Awakens, Episode IX wraps up the entire Skywalker Saga that began all the way back in 1977.
The massive Star Wars fan event, Star Wars Celebration, is officially underway, and it starts out with a high-profile panel focused on the next big movie: Star Wars: Episode 9. The panel is going on right now, and you can watch the livestream below. It started out with Stephen Colbert as host bringing out director JJ Abrams and Star Wars boss Kathleen Kennedy to talk about the film and the excitement around it. Beyond that, the panel promises new details about the highly anticipated third movie in the new trilogy. It's widely assumed that the first Episode 9 trailer will make its debut and that we'll get the official title. Here's when it all takes place and how to watch.
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and director JJ Abrams are already on stage, while the panel's official description also teases there will be "plenty of surprises and special guests." According to Lucasfilm, this is an event "you will definitely not want to miss." As of this writing, we haven't gotten many meaningful details yet, with Kennedy and Abrams talking broadly about how they reached this point and what Episode IX means to them and to Star Wars. Abrams did, however, reveal, the movie is about the core group going on an adventure together. He also noted that some time has passed since the end of the last movie. The cast is now slowly coming out to chat, starting with C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels and Lando Calrissian's Billy Dee Williams.
The entire panel is being live streamed. You can watch it through the Star Wars YouTube channel or in the video embed below.
Star Wars Episode 9 Panel Start Time
9 AM PT
11 AM CT
12 PM ET
5 PM BST
4 AM AEDT (Saturday, April 13)
Despite Episode 9 releasing on December 20, 2019, we know very little about it. As noted above, it doesn't have a title yet, so that could be among the reveals for the panel. There also hasn't been a trailer or any footage released, so Star Wars Celebration seems as likely a place as any to release one based on what the event typically brings. Abrams, who previously directed 2015's The Force Awakens, was brought on after Jurassic World's Colin Trevorrow was let go from the role.
The third and final entry in the new trilogy that began with The Force Awakens, Episode IX wraps up the entire Skywalker Saga that began all the way back in 1977.
The massive Star Wars fan event, Star Wars Celebration, is officially underway, and it starts out with a high-profile panel focused on the next big movie: Star Wars: Episode 9. The panel is going on right now, and you can watch the livestream below. It started out with Stephen Colbert as host bringing out director JJ Abrams and Star Wars boss Kathleen Kennedy to talk about the film and the excitement around it. Beyond that, the panel promises new details about the highly anticipated third movie in the new trilogy. It's widely assumed that the first Episode 9 trailer will make its debut and that we'll get the official title. Here's when it all takes place and how to watch.
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and director JJ Abrams are already on stage, while the panel's official description also teases there will be "plenty of surprises and special guests." According to Lucasfilm, this is an event "you will definitely not want to miss." As of this writing, we haven't gotten any meaningful details yet, with Kennedy and Abrams talking broadly about how they reached this point and what Episode IX means to them and to Star Wars.
The entire panel is being live streamed. You can watch it through the Star Wars YouTube channel or in the video embed below.
Star Wars Episode 9 Panel Start Time
9 AM PT
11 AM CT
12 PM ET
5 PM BST
4 AM AEDT (Saturday, April 13)
Despite Episode 9 releasing on December 20, 2019, we know very little about it. As noted above, it doesn't have a title yet, so that could be among the reveals for the panel. There also hasn't been a trailer or any footage released, so Star Wars Celebration seems as likely a place as any to release one based on what the event typically brings. Abrams, who previously directed 2015's The Force Awakens, was brought on after Jurassic World's Colin Trevorrow was let go from the role.
The third and final entry in the new trilogy that began with The Force Awakens, Episode IX wraps up the entire Skywalker Saga that began all the way back in 1977.
Ariana Grande has been open about her experience with post traumatic stress disorder since 22 people were killed and over 100 more injured in a terrorist attack at her Manchester concert in 2017.
It's hard to talk about because so many people have suffered such severe, tremendous loss ... I know those families and my fans, and everyone there experienced a tremendous amount of [PTSD] as well. I feel like I shouldn't even be talking about my own experience – like I shouldn't even say anything. I don't think I'll ever know how to talk about it and not cry.
On Thursday, she shared a screenshot to her Instagram story showing a scan of her brain, which appears to show a number of areas affected by PTSD.
She also posted a selfie captioned with the words "life is wild", "my brain is tired", and "she's trying her muthafukin best".
Fans immediately flooded social media with love and support for Ariana, and expressed concern about her current workload, saying she should put her health first and take a break.
i’m so sad and worried for ariana. shes always making sure everyone else is happy and healthy, but can she please put her own happiness and health first. and take a break whenever it comes up/whenever she’s not feeling okay
Ariana is currently travelling around the US on her Sweetener Tour — her first since finishing the Dangerous Woman Tour in 2017 — and this weekend will become the youngest female artist ever to headline at Coachella.
Kevin Mazur / Getty Images
She recently tweeted saying she feels "healthier, more authentic, and happy" since she started releasing music in quick succession, and admitted following a more traditional release schedule had previously taken a toll on her mental health.
"I was so tired from promo trips and was always losing my voice and never knew what city I was in when I woke up," she wrote on Instagram at the time. "I just feel so much more connected now ... It’s a very dope feeling and has breathed so much air back into my lil lungs."
However, people still shared their concern that her workload may be "draining", suggesting Ariana should take time off to focus on her mental health.
It's not shocking that ariana puts up a strong font up to a crowd when she's still struggling and suffering from trauma and ptsd from manchester and other situations she was sadly involved in. I just hope she doesn't overwork herself and drain herself anymore mentally/physically
honestly she needs a break. a very long one. just to fully heal and take in everything that has happened to her. i hope one day everything can be okay and find peace within herself. she deserves it. https://t.co/8iXWn8hdcd
ariana experienced so many traumas in such a short period of time and she’s releasing albums, doing multiple legs of tour and i truly hope she’s taking her time to heal
"It worries me to death," one fan wrote. "She needs to fucking rest. Music can wait. Tour can wait. We can wait."
im scared for ariana, she doesn’t have a healthy brain at all. Her PTSD is high (her exam shows white spots all around her brain and there are too much.) too many areas are affected and it worries me to death. she needs to fucking rest. music can wait. tour can wait. we can wait.
However, some people said the fact she's still touring and releasing music simply shows Ariana's strength and how much she cares for her fans.
Yet this woman is still touring and performing almost every night, recording and releasing music, etc. Women are strong as hell and Ariana isn't an exception, i hate this so much for her and i just hope she's taking care of herself bc she deserves to be happy https://t.co/4Ert8pC9PP
PTSD is a serious mental illness and sometimes she really need a break from everything. the fact that ariana is still touring shows how much she cares. i really hope she makes sure to take care of herself ♡
Others said they felt Ariana had to share her brain scan for people to take her mental health issues seriously.
many people disregarded ariana’s emotional + mental stability after the traumatic situations she was in & instead decided to add more stress + hate to her plate. now look at how her brain is and next time, remember that she is human and her feelings are valid despite her status
not just in recent years. She’s been open about her mental health and how she’s been struggling with it since her early adolescence. And honestly, her brain scan shouldn’t be the thing that causes people to have compassion for her. She’s human, we must always be considerate https://t.co/1ahOGgR83P
ariana had to post a brain scan for people to take her PTSD seriously, yet y'all create fake deep conversations on mental health when yalls fave "hot" male influencers post a black screen with "just need time 3 myself 😢✌🏻" on their insta story after their uber cancelled on them
They also said this is proof you should always think before criticising someone too harshly, especially after Ariana's tour received criticism for its "minimal" production.
ariana has been through so much trauma within the past two years, so much so it’s impacting on her brain. and y’all are here dragging her for the SMALLEST thing. you preach about mental health but only when it suits you.
@musicnewsfact @ArianaGrande And y’all have the nerve to judge her stage presence and stage production knowing good and darn well that she just put something together so that she can could go on tour for her fans despite not being there mentally. I have so much respect for her and hope she puts herself first
There was some backlash to fans' concern, with a few Twitter users arguing that people only care about mental illness when it comes to celebrities.
But fans hit back, calling those comments "sickening" and saying people's hardships shouldn't be compared.
the comments people are making about ariana's ptsd are literally sickening. the fact that people constantly have to compare other's hardships is insane to me. everybody struggles w different things and saying someone deserves a mental illness or that it's "karma" is disgusting.
"Her privileges don't keep life from happening," one person wrote.
most ppl only hate on Ariana so much bc they only see the privilege surrounding her but when you look deeper than the surface, she has gone through the exact same shit we all have been through, no matter the fact that she had money. Her privileges don’t keep life from happening
While others simply praised Ariana for being open about her mental health and raising awareness of the disorder.
thanks for spreading awareness on something that more people need to be informed about—ptsd/dissociation. just a daily reminder to ALWAYS put your mental health first @ArianaGrande https://t.co/9ZEjjQz4mk
A representative for Ariana Grande has been contacted for comment.
Ellie Bate is a celebrity reporter and talent coordinator at BuzzFeed UK and is based in London.
"I'm pretty optimistic about the ability for this thing to work. Particularly when you make it accessible because of the content we're putting on, because of the user interface and because of the price," CEO Bob Iger told CNBC's David Faber in an interview Thursday.
Shares of Disney surged 9% in morning trading on Friday, on pace for its best day since May 2009. Netflix shares traded lower by more than 3% on Friday.
Disney+ will roll out in the U.S. on November 12, and within the next two years, the platform will be available "in nearly all major regions of the world." The pricing on the ad-free service is surprisingly low — $6.99 per month and $69.99 annually (or $5.83 per month). That's lower than Netflix, which raised prices on its standard plan from $10.99 to $12.99 per month. Netflix's basic plan is $8.99 a month.
"Disney surprised on the upside at its investor meeting yesterday, providing more financial disclosure and revealing a more content rich streaming service than previously expected," J.P. Morgan analyst Alexia Quadrani said in a note to investors. "In addition, management provided a target for Disney+ of 60m-90m subscribers by F2024, on the higher end of our expectations, which we believe were already above consensus."
Disney+ will also have multiple movies and TV series that are exclusive to the service. Those include several series from Marvel and Star Wars. Disney said it expects it will spend about $1 billion in 2020 on original content for the platform and $2 billion by 2024.
Disney's stock closed at $116.60 a share on Thursday.
Game of Thrones is a sprawling show with complex plots and A LOT of characters. So it's no wonder viewers end up with a bunch of questions about it. Below are the most commonly Googled questions about the show – complete with answers, all in one handy place.
Most asked questions about Daenerys:
HBO
1. How are Jon Snow and Daenerys related?
The short answer is: Daenerys is Jon Snow's aunt. Jon is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Rhaegar is Daenerys' much, much older brother, who actually died before she was even born. Here's an in-depth look at Jon and Dany's family history if you want to learn more.
2. Who is Daenerys Targaryen’s mother?
Daenerys' mother was Rhaella Targaryen. We've never seen her on the show or even heard her really mentioned. Rhaella died giving birth to Daenerys (just one of the many things Dany and Jon have in common).
3. Who is Daenerys Targaryen’s dad?
Daenerys' dad was the Mad King himself, Aerys II – he's the guy Jaime Lannister killed during Robert's Rebllion. Aerys II was his wife Rhaella's brother – the Targaryens really were super into incest.
4. How old is Daenerys?
Dany is 17 when the show begins. It's hard to say exactly how much time has passed since then, but I'd guess she's now supposed to be in her early-to-mid 20s.
5. Are Jon Snow and Daenerys cousins?
No! Once again, Jon is Dany's nephew.
Most asked questions about Jon Snow:
HBO
1. How are Jon Snow and Daenerys related?
See above.
2. Who is Jon Snow’s father?
Jon Snow's biological father is Rhaegar Targaryen. But Ned Stark will always be his daddy.
3. Who are Jon Snow’s parents?
As mentioned above: Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Lyanna Stark was Ned Stark's little sister. As we learned in Season 7, she and Rhaegar secretly married after Rhaegar had his first marriage, to Elia Martell, annulled. That means Jon is a legitimate Targaryen. If you're curious about all the times the show hinted at Jon's real parentage, check out this post.
4. When does Jon Snow die?
Jon is murdered by his traitorous Night's Watch brothers in the Season 5 finale, "Mother's Mercy". He's resurrected in "Home" – Season 6, Episode 2. Let's hope he doesn't die again in Season 8 (although he probably will).
There's a popular fan theory that Tyrion is secretly a Targaryen (read all about it here). Personally I don't see this happening – it would be a bit repetitive, given Jon's plot, not to mention weaken one of the most fascinating aspects of Tyrion's own story – his fraught relationship with Tywin.
2. Why did Shae betray Tyrion?
Shae feels betrayed by Tyrion. She's jealous of what she perceives as his attraction to Sansa, and when Tyrion sends her away for her own safety, he has to say some pretty nasty things in order to convince her to leave. The problem is, Shae believes them, and turns on Tyrion as a result.
3. Why did Tyrion kill Shae?
Tyrion killed Shae in a moment of rage. She had betrayed him. Her testimony at his trial, in which she twisted all the loving moments of their relationship and used them against him, broke him. The final straw for Tyrion was seeing her in Tywin's bed, and hearing her call Tywin her "lion".
4. When does Tyrion kill Tywin?
Tyrion kills Tywin right after murdering Shae – in the finale of Season 4, "The Children".
5. Is Tyrion a Lannister?
Yes, I believe so. Out of all of Tywin's children, Tyrion is arguably the most Lannister – the most like Tywin. Tywin was just too prideful to recognise it.
Most asked questions about Cersei Lannister:
HBO
1. Is Cersei pregnant?
Cersei revealed she was pregnant in Season 7. Some fans believe she's lying, but I do think she actually is pregnant. She probably won't have the baby, though.
2. Is Gendry Cersei’s son?
No! There's a popular fan theory that he is, but I really don't think so.
3. When does Cersei blow up the sept?
Cersei blows up the Sept of Baelor in the Season 6 finale, "The Winds of Winter".
4. When does Cersei die?
Season 8, presumably – we'll have to wait and see.
5. How old is Cersei?
In the current show, Cersei is in her early 40s.
Most asked questions about Sansa Stark:
HBO
1. What did Ramsay do to Sansa?
Ramsay rapes and tortures Sansa; physically, emotionally and psychologically abusing her. We don't get all the nitty gritty details – which is frankly a good thing.
2. How old is Sansa Stark?
Sansa is 13 when the show starts. She'd be about 18 or 19 now.
3. Who does Sansa marry?
Sansa is first forced to marry Tyrion Lannister, although the marriage was never consummated. Sansa is later forced to marry Ramsay Bolton, who she executes after the Battle of the Bastards in Season 6.
4. Is Sansa pregnant?
Definitely not.
5. When does Sansa marry Ramsay?
Sansa marries Ramsay in Season 5, Episode 6 – "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken".
Most asked questions about Arya Stark:
HBO
1. How old is Arya Stark?
Arya is 11 years old at the beginning of Season 1. She's around 16 or 17 now.
2. When does Arya kill Walder Frey?
Arya kills Walder Frey in the Season 6 finale, "The Winds of Winter".
3. Who gave Arya Needle?
Jon Snow gave Arya Needle before they both left Winterfell, and I'm personally offended people don't remember this.
4. Who is on Arya’s list?
Arya's list has changed a lot over the seasons as people died or she lost her murderous rage against them. At one point, her list was: "Cersei Lannister, The Mountain, The Red Woman, Beric Dondarrion, Thoros of Myr, Ilyn Payne, The Hound, Walder Frey, Meryn Trant, Joffrey, Twyin Lannister, Polliver." She took the Hound off the list, and likely also removed Thoros and Beric – and perhaps Melisandre? The only ones who are definitely still on it (and alive and in the show) are Cersei and the Mountain.
5. Why does Arya want to kill the Mountain?
Aside from knowing he's a really bad dude, Arya personally hates the Mountain because he kept her, Gendry and Hot Pie prisoner at Harrenhal. Especially because he was the one who selected a new prisoner each day to be tortured and killed.
In Season 1, Jaime Lannister obviously tried to kill Bran by pushing him out of the window. An assassin later arrives to finish the job, and at the time we're meant to believe it was Jaime and/or Cersei who put him up to it. But as we later find out, Littlefinger was involved. Whether it was he alone that ordered the assassination or someone else was involved – perhaps Joffrey, as in the books – remains unclear.
3. What does Bran say to Littlefinger?
This question is presumably about what Bran says to Littlefinger after Littlefinger gives him the catspaw dagger used in the assassination attempt against him. Bran says "chaos is a ladder" – he's quoting something Littlefinger said to Varys in Season 3, indicating he's been watching him in the past.
4. Why does the Night King want Bran?
We don't really know for sure, beyond Bran becoming the Three Eyed Raven i.e. someone who might actually be able to defeat the Night King. We should hopefully learn more about this in Season 8.
5. Is Bran’s direwolf alive?
No. Bran's direwolf, Summer, was killed by wights during the attack on the Three Eyed Raven's cave in Season 6. Ghost and Nymeria are the only direwolves currently alive.
Honestly this question still haunts me, but the most likely explanation for Sam escaping the Walkers at the end of Season 2/beginning of Season 3 is that they didn't see him. I guess he's really good at hiding.
3. How many White Walkers are there?
We don't know. But we do know Craster sacrificed 99 sons to them, so, presuming they all got turned into White Walkers...there's over 100, at least?
4. What are White Walkers?
The White Walkers are all former humans who have been turned using magic. The first White Walker, the Night King, was turned by the Children of the Forest when they inserted a dragonglass dagger into his heart. Presumably the Night King himself then created the rest of the Walkers.
5. What kills White Walkers?
Dragonglass or Valyrian steel. Although the Night King is likely different and harder to kill.
6. What do the White Walkers do with the babies?
Turn them into more White Walkers, if the scene in which we saw them turn Craster's last son is anything to go by.
7. Who is Gendry related to?
Gendry is the son of Robert Baratheon, the nephew of Stannis and Renly Baratheon, and the cousin of Shireen Baratheon. All of whom are dead. He's the last Baratheon that we know of (although he's a bastard).
8. How are Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon related?
They aren't, although they were both wards of Jon Arryn at the Eyrie so they grew up together. And Robert Baratheon was betrothed to marry Ned's sister, Lyanna – but Lyanna ran away with Rhaegar Targaryen before Robert could marry her. It's what kicked off Robert's Rebellion.
9. Are Jon Snow and Ramsay Snow related?
No. They both have the surname "Snow" because bastards aren't given their father's names like legitimate children are – they're given the bastard name of their region instead. Bastards of the North are named Snow. Of course, Jon Snow isn't a bastard of the North at all – but that was the story Ned used to protect his identity and his life. And Roose Bolton legitimises Ramsay so his surname becomes Bolton, too.
10. How is Rhaegar Targaryen related to the Mad King?
Rhaegar Targaryen was the Mad King's son and heir. The Mad King had three kids – Rhaegar, Viserys (who was killed by Khal Drogo in Season 1) and Daenerys.
Disney unveiled its hotly anticipated video steaming service that's aiming to topple industry pioneer Netflix, once a valuable ally of the Magic Kingdom. The service will cost $6.99 per month, or well below the $13 monthly fee charged by Netflix for its most popular streaming plan.
The service, called Disney Plus, has been in the works for more than year, but Thursday marked the first time that the longtime entertainment powerhouse has laid out plans for its attack on Netflix and a formidable cast of competitors, including Amazon, HBO Go and Showtime Anytime.
Disney Plus will roll out in the U.S. on November 12 at a price of $6.99 per month, or $69.99 per year. Pricing the service below Netflix's fees signals Disney's determination to woo subscribers as it vies to become a major player in a field that has turned "binge watching" into a common ritual.
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The announcement of the service's pricing "generated a collective gasp in the room," wrote Michael Nathanson, an analyst at MoffettNathanson, in a research note. "The service ... looks like a bargain compared to other entertainment options."
Downloading
Like Netflix, Disney Plus will be free of ads. Subscribers will be able to download all of the shows and movies on Disney's service to watch offline.
"One of the many unique qualities of Disney films is their evergreen appeal. Starting with Snow White in 1937, our films were designed to entertain people of all ages," Disney CEO Robert Iger said at a presentation to announce the service. "Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars films share that same powerful characteristic, and they're all going to populate Disney Plus."
Netflix will still have a far deeper video programming lineup after spending tens of billions of dollars during the past six years on original shows such as "House of Cards," ''Stranger Things" and "The Crown."
But Disney Plus will be able to draw upon a library of revered films dating back several decades while it also forges into original programming. Its animated classics, including "Aladdin" and "The Jungle Book" will be available on the service when it launches.
New shows exclusive to Disney Plus
New shows already on tap include "The Mandalorian," the first live action "Star Wars" series, created by Jon Favreau; a prequel to the "Star Wars" film "Rogue One," starring Diego Luna; a series about the Marvel character Loki, starring Tom Hiddleston; a rebooted "High School Musical" series; and a new documentary series focused on Disney.
Disney is approaching the streaming industry from a "position of strength, confidence and unbridled optimism," CEO Bob Iger said Thursday. Iger has led the company since 2005 and expects to step down when his contract ends in 2021.
The service's entire lineup will cover five categories: Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic.
Although Disney has an enviable track record of producing shows and films that attract huge audiences, its attempt to build its own Netflix is risky. To make the leap, Disney ended a lucrative licensing relationship with Netflix, which had become the video streaming home for its latest films after their theatrical release, as well as many of its TV series and classic movies.
Exclusive Marvel Movies
But now movies that came out in 2019, and going forward, will be streamed only on Disney Plus. That includes "Captain Marvel," which came out earlier this year; "Avengers: Endgame," which debuts in late April; and the upcoming "Toy Story 4," live-action movies "The Lion King" and "Aladdin;" and "Star Wars Episode IX."
In many ways, it's hard to compare Netflix with Disney because of the widely different types of shows each offers, said eMarketer analyst Paul Verna.
"The interesting thing is both companies have ended up in the same place, but they've come to it from vastly different backgrounds," he said.
Disney will also contend with a new streaming service from Apple, which is expected to be released in the fall. Apple has not yet said how much its service will cost or when exactly it will launch.
Fox acquisition
Last month, Disney completed its biggest deal yet with its $71 billion acquisition of Fox's entertainment business. The first 30 seasons of "The Simpsons" will now stream exclusively on Disney Plus.
The Fox takeover helps Disney tighten its control over TV shows and movies from start to finish — from creating the programs to distributing them though television channels, movie theaters, streaming services and other avenues. Disney will also get valuable data on customers and their entertainment-viewing habits, which it can then use to sell advertising.
The Fox deal also gave Disney a controlling stake in Hulu. Iger has said Hulu will continue to offer general entertainment programming while Disney Plus will be focused on family fare.
Along with its strong brand, Disney has the advantage of having a clear strategy for each of its streaming services, Verna said, including Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus. Disney executives hinted the company would "likely" bundle the three at a discounted price, but declined to give more details.
Terminating its deal with Netflix will cost Disney about $150 million in licensing revenue alone during its current fiscal year ending in September.
Disney is betting its new service will quickly offset that. By dangling a mix of familiar franchises and beloved animated classics, along with original programming, it figures the new service will be irresistible to families, even if they already subscribe to other services. It expects Disney Plus to be profitable during its 2024 fiscal year.
Netflix competition
The plunge into video streaming is likely to confront Disney with new challenges. One of the biggest dilemmas will center on how long Disney waits after a new film's theatrical release to make it available on its new streaming service.
Disney said movies would become available on its streaming service only after the traditional theatrical release period and home movie debut, which includes DVDs and purchasing streaming videos. That puts its schedule behind that of some competitors. Netflix films such as the award-winning "Roma" and "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" have either become available for streaming on the same day or just a few days after their short runs in theaters.
With nearly 140 million worldwide subscribers, Netflix already has proven its mettle while warding off one competitive threat after another in the 12 years since it pivoted from DVD-by-mail rentals to video streaming.
Now, Netflix is locking horns with a company that has been steadily expanding upon its Disney franchise during a shopping spree that has seen it snap up other major studios.
