Disney+ streaming service will almost certainly support Apple TV

By

Disney+ streaming service
Disney+ launches in the U.S. this November.
Photo: Disney

Disney’s new streaming service, officially announced for the first time on Thursday, will likely make its way to Apple TV.

That’s according to Disney CEO Bob Iger, who explained a Disney+ app will eventually be available through traditional distributors. You will also be able to enjoy it on Smart TVs and consoles.

Disney+ is the much-anticipated video streaming service that Disney fans have been waiting for. Priced at just $6.99 a month or $69.99, it offers access to a wealth of premium content from major Disney franchises like Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars.

The service also boasts exclusive streaming of The Simpsons, and will host brand new originals like Monsters At Work, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and High School Music: The Show.

Where can you watch Disney+

You will be able to enjoy Disney+ on the PlayStation 4 and Roku set-top boxes when the service makes its debut in the U.S. on November 12, 2019. The Disney+ app will also make its way to Smart TVs, tablets, and smartphones.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Iger added “the app will in all likelihood be available through traditional app distributors, Apple being one of them.” Iger is “fairly certain” that if you want to subscribe, you’ll be able to do it through Apple and iTunes.

Disney clearly has no objection in supported Apple’s platforms, despite the 30% cut Apple takes from subscription fees, or the recent announcement of Apple’s own video streaming platform. That’s great news for iOS and tvOS users.

Fans will ‘sign up in droves’

Iger expects Disney+ to be a big success. Its affordable price tag, coupled with access to some of the biggest and most popular movie franchises, makes it a product “people will sign up in droves to have,” he said.

Disney will continue to launch its biggest movies in theaters, and you can still expect to see Disney shows on traditional TV. But when those movies are ready for streaming, they will be exclusive to Disney+.

Disney predicts it will secure 60-90 million subscribers by the end of 2024.

Disney has already started distancing itself from Netflix and pulling access to its in preparation for its own streaming service. But Iger has no plans to cut ties with Apple and vacate his position on its board just yet.

Iger will remain on Apple’s board for now

“Obviously I’m mindful of my fiduciary responsibility to Apple shareholders as a member of the board,” Iger said.

“When the subject is discussed at Apple board meetings, I’m careful to recuse myself, and I’m in constant dialogue about making sure that I’m not doing anything that in any way would essentially cause me to be wouldn’t be in keeping with what an Apple board member would do.”

Iger noted video streaming is “still nascent to Apple and still relatively small, so it’s not really discussed all that much.” Of course, that will almost certainly change when Apple TV+ makes its debut this fall, but “so far it’s been okay.”

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.