In the past, Apple has always required streaming platforms available on the App Store to provide a way for users to subscribe directly through the app using in-app purchases. However, as this is no longer a requirement, many platforms have been ditching Apple’s in-app purchases, and Disney has just done so.
Expand Expanding Close
Pixar released a new teaser video for Toy Story 5 last night at Disney’s 2024 D23 conference. However, it turns out the “new” video might not actually be so new after all.
Expand Expanding Close
Disney+ is finally about to begin rolling out its password sharing crackdown “in earnest,” according to Disney CEO Bob Iger. This change has been a long time in the making, with Disney first detailing its plans one year ago. It comes after Netflix successfully implemented anti-password sharing tactics last May.
Expand Expanding Close
Apple TV+ may remain one of the most affordable stand-alone streaming services, but its competitors have started bundling to offer very compelling alternatives.
Today a new bundle of Disney+, Max, and Hulu has launched with a starting price of $16.99 per month.
Expand Expanding Close
Tubi’s UK launch is set to happen later today, the free streaming video service offering Brits access to more than 20,000 movies and TV episodes from major studios like Disney and Sony …
Expand Expanding Close
On the heels of the Netflix, Peacock, and Apple TV+ streaming bundle news, the branding for an upcoming major sports bundle has been announced. Following the unveiling of the partnership earlier this year, ESPN, FOX, and Warner Bros. announced that their new offering – led by a former Apple executive – will be called “Venu Sports” plus an expected launch date.
Expand Expanding Close
A new streaming video bundle has been announced, comprising Disney+, Hulu, Max. It will be available in two tiers, starting sometime this summer.
Given the that it will include ABC, CNN, DC, Discovery, Disney, Food Network, FX, HBO, HGTV, Hulu, Marvel, Pixar, Searchlight, Warner Bros, and more, it raises the question of whether the big networks are simply reinventing cable TV …
Expand Expanding Close
Dramatically rising streaming prices have lead to an increase in video piracy, and major Hollywood studios are now asking Congress to pass a new law to address it.
The exact same law, in fact, that it tried and failed to get passed in 2012, after major websites went dark in protest …
Expand Expanding Close
Subscription creep – the term given to increases in subscription fees after someone has signed up – hit a full two-thirds of US consumers in the past year.
Some of the increases were steep ones, and others imposed with little notice …
Expand Expanding Close
The subscription streaming spend of the average American is now close to a thousand dollars per year, according to a new report.
While more than half of subscribers have responded to recent steep price increases by cancelling at least one of their streaming subscriptions, the overall spend keeps rising …
Expand Expanding Close
A Disney/Epic Games partnership announced this week may see the Fortnite developer return to the App Store despite the fractious relationship between Apple and Epic.
The collaboration will see new games featuring characters and stories across a range of Disney worlds, including Walt Disney, Star Wars, Pixar, and Marvel …
Expand Expanding Close
Disney has announced that it’s secured the streaming rights to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert film. After first debuting in theaters and eventually on video-on-demand, Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) is coming exclusively to Disney+ on March 15.
Expand Expanding Close
It looks like sports fans are set for an extremely comprehensive all-in-one option. Disney-owned ESPN is partnering with FOX and Warner Bros Discovery to create a package of no fewer than 14 different channels.
The joint venture will offer access to thousands of games and events, across a diverse range of sports – and you’ll be able to bundle the new service with Disney+, Hulu, or Max …
Expand Expanding Close
Following in the footsteps of Netflix, both Hulu and Disney+ password sharing crackdowns are now underway.
Disney+ began its clampdown in Canada, and is now emailing US members to announce new terms and conditions which specifically include restrictions on sharing passwords across households …
Expand Expanding Close
X owner Elon Musk has continued his tirade against major corporations who’ve suspended advertising on his social network, after growing concerns about hate speech on the platform.
Musk last year asked whether Apple “hate[s] free speech in America” when the company paused advertising over previous concerns about the social network, and is now calling for Disney CEO Bob Iger to be fired …
Expand Expanding Close
Last month, Disney announced its plans to start cracking down on password sharing, just like what Netflix recently implemented. Disney has now started rolling out its new threats to block password sharing, beginning with Disney+ subscribers in Canada.
Expand Expanding Close
Streaming video piracy is on the rise again, according to a new study, in apparent response to growing subscription costs for services like Netflix and Disney+ …
Expand Expanding Close
Analysts have been pitching the idea of Apple buying Disney for many years, and to most of us it has seemed a rather ridiculous one. The supposed reasoning for it has always been absurdly weak.
Personally, I remain extremely skeptical. But the idea is now getting new traction, and being taken seriously in some unlikely quarters – and even I have to admit that there is some merit to the latest incarnation of the idea-that-will-not-die …
Expand Expanding Close
A report yesterday revealed that a set of popular streaming TV services can now cost more than traditional cable TV packages.
It pointed out that subscription costs have risen dramatically, which creates an obvious risk of people cutting back on the number of services. But I think there’s a second issue, too, and that’s the competition for attention …
Expand Expanding Close
Streaming TV costs are now higher than cable packages, says a new analysis. It follows warnings that a “crash” was on the way – a day that has now arrived.
The report says that after price rises by Apple TV+, HBO Max, Disney, Hulu, and others, the total cost of a basket of popular streaming TV services has now hit $87 per month …
Expand Expanding Close
The Disney+ app and the Hulu app are due to merge later this year, says Disney CEO Bob Iger, but you’ll still be able to buy standalone subscriptions to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.
The announcement is leading to speculation about a possible buyout plan …
Expand Expanding Close
Bob Iger made the surprise decision to return to his post as Disney’s CEO last year after parting with the company toward the end of 2021. In a new profile with Time, Iger discussed that decision and pointed to Steve Jobs as one of his inspirations for returning to Disney.
Expand Expanding Close
As previously-announced, Disney+ is now more expensive – and there’s a new ad-supported tier users can select. This comes following a price increase for Apple TV+, as well as the launch of an ad-supported tier for Netflix … which still isn’t available to Apple TV users.
Expand Expanding Close
Longtime Disney CEO Bob Iger recently returned to Disney after two years of retirement, and he’s already saying nope about a potential takeover by Apple.
Expand Expanding Close