Disney Considering Marvel, "Star Wars" Subscription-Video Services

[CBR News]

Disney CEO Bob Iger says the studio is mulling subscription-video services that would bring its Marvel and "Star Wars" properties directly to viewers.


Full article here.

[Cel]

But while Iger didn't offer many details, he did make clear that Disney, which owns ABC, ESPN, Disney Channel and Disney XD, among other channels, isn't planning to break away from the lucrative cable bundle.

"We are also mindful of the value of the expanded basic bundle to this company," he said. "And we do not believe there is any reason for us to attempt to take out some of this product, particularly ESPN, quickly or right now. In other words, there’s time."

"Quickly or right now"...

In other words, eventually they will?

[simbob4000]

I'm surprised the big studios haven't already started up their own Netflix style services with their back catalogues already.

[darthjoker]

wait....Disney owns ESPN???? since when????

[simbob4000]

wait....Disney owns ESPN???? since when????

Since, like the mid '90s. It's probably one of the biggest reason they bought ABC.

[RobinFan4880]

wait....Disney owns ESPN???? since when????

Disney bought ABC, who owned ESPN. They also have a 50% stake in A+E Networks and a 27% stake in Hulu. They also own BVS, which many people who grew up in the 80's and 90's would remember as Saban Entertainment (the people who dubbed a ton of Anime and brought Power Rangers to America). However, Disney sold the Power Ranger property to Haim Saban in 2010 for $43 million.

[simbob4000]

Disney bought ABC, who owned ESPN. They also have a 50% stake in A+E Networks and a 27% stake in Hulu. They also own BVS, which many people who grew up in the 80's and 90's would remember as Saban Entertainment (the people who dubbed a ton of Anime and brought Power Rangers to America). However, Disney sold the Power Ranger property to Haim Saban in 2010 for $43 million.

They also owned Fox Family, which is why they bought them if I remember right.

[PretenderNX01]

Fox Family became ABC Family and with their purchase of ESPN, Disney had leverage to get Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (Walt Disney's first creation) from Universal.

NBC wanted Al Michaels for their Olympic coverage so NBCUniveral traded Oswald and all rights to Disney for Al to come from ESPN to NBC Sports.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oswald_...Michaels_trade
Crazy huh?

Subscription services would be cool, WB could do that with all of their cartoons and live-action series at least.
I'm in a Lucille Ball fanclub on Facebook and people wish they could get a Lucy subscription channel with all of her sitcoms and movies. It may be the future.

[simbob4000]

Fox Family became ABC Family and with their purchase of ESPN, Disney had leverage to get Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (Walt Disney's first creation) from Universal.

NBC wanted Al Michaels for their Olympic coverage so NBCUniveral traded Oswald and all rights to Disney for Al to come from ESPN to NBC Sports.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oswald_...Michaels_trade
Crazy huh?

Subscription services would be cool, WB could do that with all of their cartoons and live-action series at least.
I'm in a Lucille Ball fanclub on Facebook and people wish they could get a Lucy subscription channel with all of her sitcoms and movies. It may be the future.

I'm sure it will be the future, not the Lucy thing, because she did a number of things across a number of different companies. But I'm sure at some point all the studios will have there own subscription services to watch their stuff...and it's going to suck. Imagine needing to pay for multiple services just to get about what you can get in one place now.

[ChrisIII]

Wasn't the sixth season of Clone Wars (AKA The Lost Missions) a netflix exclusive at first?

[Crimson Knight]

Wasn't the sixth season of Clone Wars (AKA The Lost Missions) a netflix exclusive at first?

What do you mean at first? Does it air on Disney XD, or elsewhere, now?

This'd be lovely for new stuff, too, like a 4th Season of USM, a 3rd Season of Hulk and the Agents of SMASH, a 3rd Season of Avengers Assemble.

A 3rd Season of Agents of SHIELD, or future ABC shows, mini-series, maybe repeating Daredevil, AKA Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, iron Fist and The Defenders there.

Have Star Wars: Rebels and exclusive content therein, along with anything else, live action show, future Seasons, or animated specials, or new shows.

[mattperiolat]

What do you mean at first? Does it air on Disney XD, or elsewhere, now?

This'd be lovely for new stuff, too, like a 4th Season of USM, a 3rd Season of Hulk and the Agents of SMASH, a 3rd Season of Avengers Assemble.

A 3rd Season of Agents of SHIELD, or future ABC shows, mini-series, maybe repeating Daredevil, AKA Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, iron Fist and The Defenders there.

Have Star Wars: Rebels and exclusive content therein, along with anything else, live action show, future Seasons, or animated specials, or new shows.

To say nothing of old stuff like the 60s cartoons and the Amazing Spider-Man live action show. Animated X-Men too. Dunno if Disney has the rights to Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends or not.

Bottom line is, given the extent of the catalog, a Marvel VOD service could be profitable and I would be interested. Star Wars too.

[Crimson Knight]

To say nothing of old stuff like the 60s cartoons and the Amazing Spider-Man live action show. Animated X-Men too. Dunno if Disney has the rights to Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends or not.

Bottom line is, given the extent of the catalog, a Marvel VOD service could be profitable and I would be interested. Star Wars too.

Without doubt. Plenty there, just increase exposure, availability, new and old.

Could have Star Wars: Ewoks, Star Wars: Droids, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, just all sorts of thing, there, really.