From February 23, 2020, Disney + will also be able to access content that is aimed at a more adult audience in Europe, Canada, and New Zealand – for example with films by Disney subsidiary 20th Century Studios (formerly 20th Century Fox) such as “Logan” and “Deadpool” or series like” Family Guy. “.A new, access-protected area called “Star” will be integrated for this purpose. In return, Disney is increasing the subscription price from the regular 6.99 to 8.99 euros ($7.99 dollars in US) per month, while the annual subscription will in the future cost 89.90 ( $479.99 dollar) instead of 69.99 euros. The current prices should still apply to existing customers for six months.
These prices will be applicable from February 23, 2021.
- Canada: $11.99/month or $119.99/annual
- Australia: $11.99/month or $119.99/annual
- New Zealand: $12.99/month or $129.99/annual
- UK: £7.99/month or £79.90/annual
- Euro: 8.99/month or 89.90/annual
- Norway: 89.00kr/month or 890.00kr/annual
- Denmark: 79.00kr/month or 790.00kr/annual
- Sweden: 89.00 kr/month or 890.00 kr/annual
- Switzerland: CHF12.90/month or CHF129.00/annual
- Singapore: $11.98/month or $119.98/annual
This was announced by Disney +, Dec. 10, 2020, as part of its “Investor Day“, which was held this year as a virtual event. Disney + has so far only been tailored to movies and series that are also suitable for children and young people. Access to “Star” must be activated by the subscription owner and can be blocked for individual user profiles.
“Star” was presented in August by the new CEO Bob Chapek, after his predecessor Bob Iger had previously pursued the plan to internationalize the US service “Hulu”. Hulu was founded jointly by several media companies at the time, but is now under the sole control of Disney and is offered in the US in a bundle with Disney +.
Unlike Hulu, Star will not offer content from other studios beyond the Disney family. The mouse empire now includes ABC, FX, Freeform, Fox Searchlight, and 20th Century Studios (formerly 20th Century Fox), so there should be no shortage of films and series. It is now unclear what plans Disney is pursuing with Hulu in the future.
At Investor Day, Disney also announced that the company had gained 86 million subscribers worldwide with Disney + in about a year since its US launch. This means that the service has almost reached the mark that was set before it was launched by 2024. However, it will be some time before Disney + hits the black zero: In fiscal 2020, the direct-to-consumer division suffered losses of 2,8 Mrd. US-Dollar. According to analysts, this will continue to climb and will not peak until 2022. Profits can therefore only be expected from 2024.
Written by Jacqueline Beckmann
