Disney will end a distribution deal with Netflix and launch its own streaming service in 2019, the company announced today.
This is bad news for Netflix subscribers, who will have the next year and a half to mourn the loss. The popular streaming service will not lose any Disney movies until the end of 2019, and will add theater releases up until the end of 2018. As the Verge points out, that means Netflix should be able to offer the next two Star Wars films, but not the third and final.
“US Netflix members will have access to Disney films on the service through the end of 2019, including all new films that are shown theatrically through the end of 2018,” Netflix told the Daily Dot in a statement. “We continue to do business with the Walt Disney Company globally on many fronts, including our ongoing relationship with Marvel TV.”
Disney’s new streaming service will exclusively house the company’s impressive library of films, and will reportedly launch with Toy Story 4, the Lion King live-action film, and the sequel to Frozen. It will feature content from the Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD.
Disney will also launch an ESPN-branded streaming service in 2018, offering 10,000 sporting events every year. The company plans to buy a majority ownership of streaming company BAMtech, a subsidiary of Major League Baseball Advanced Media.
There is still no word on pricing for either service.
H/T the Verge