Disney's Streaming Services: Disney+ (and Hulu, ESPN+, Star, & hotstar)

[Disney Irish]

I still see a day when there will be one app where you get access to both Hulu (for adult) and D+ (for kids) content. It just makes sense long term. Especially now when they will be looking to streamline different business units in order to eliminate overlap and corporate bloat.

 

[Tony Perkis]

I still see a day when there will be one app where you get access to both Hulu (for adult) and D+ (for kids) content. It just makes sense long term. Especially now when they will be looking to streamline different business units in order to eliminate overlap and corporate bloat.

From a branding purpose, I just can’t see this happening.

Unless Disney makes the bold choice of throwing the PG-13 and R content under the Mickey Mouse brand, which we all know is not in the cards, they’d have to create a unique entity that combines the Disney brand name and the 20th Century brand name to create a sort of Frankenstein’s monster hybrid.

What do you do with ABC and general Fox content? Modern Family, Scrubs, Cougar Town, Family Guy, King of the Hill, Lost, 24, Firefly, and such?

Additionally. I don’t think some people realize how adult FX content really is.

 

[Disney Irish]

From a branding purpose, I just can’t see this happening.

Unless Disney makes the bold choice of throwing the PG-13 and R content under the Mickey Mouse brand, which we all know is not in the cards, they’d have to create a unique entity that combines the Disney brand name and the 20th Century brand name to create a sort of Frankenstein’s monster hybrid.

What do you do with ABC and general Fox content? Modern Family, Scrubs, Cougar Town, Family Guy, King of the Hill, Lost, 24, Firefly, and such?

Additionally. I don’t think some people realize how adult FX content really is.

Oh I know how adult FX content is, I watched shows like Sons of Anarchy and Mayans.

What I'm saying is basically a portal app, a single app with a gateway to both. Not something that is wide open where you are scrolling through and see American Horror right along side Moana.

Basically a single app where you have two very different branded sections all controlled by parental controls. So there is clear division between the two different sets of content, but you get access to both under one app.

Again from a business perspective it makes sense as why maintain two different apps, with two different teams. Fold all digital streaming under one team. Previously it didn't made sense because Disney didn't have full control of Hulu, now they do. So again it make sense from the business side.

 

[Tony Perkis]

Oh I know how adult FX content is, I watched shows like Sons of Anarchy and Mayans.

What I'm saying is basically a portal app, a single app with a gateway to both. Not something that is wide open where you are scrolling through and see American Horror right along side Moana.

Basically a single app where you have two very different branded sections all controlled by parental controls. So there is clear division between the two different sets of content, but you get access to both under one app.

Again from a business perspective it makes sense as why maintain two different apps, with two different teams. Fold all digital streaming under one team. Previously it didn't made sense because Disney didn't have full control of Hulu, now they do. So again it make sense from the business side.

While I do think it would be of the benefit for both Hulu and Disney+ to have app-switching links within each other (based on specific profile preferences), I think it’s a PR disaster to have It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia next to Invincible because algorithms have them connected someway.

Additionally, FX stuff just isn’t Disney, and vice verse. They don’t belong on Disney+, and Beauty and the Beast doesn’t belong of FXNOW/Hulu.

I don’t see how you combine the two without diluting either brand.

 

[Disney Irish]

While I do think it would be of the benefit for both Hulu and Disney+ to have app-switching links within each other (based on specific profile preferences), I think it’s a PR disaster to have It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia next to Invincible because algorithms have them connected someway.

Additionally, FX stuff just isn’t Disney, and vice verse. They don’t belong on Disney+, and Beauty and the Beast doesn’t belong of FXNOW/Hulu.

I don’t see how you combine the two without diluting either brand.

I’m not sure why you would think it would dilute the brand. I’m talking about having clear lines drawn, but just until a single app.

What I thinking you’re thinking is just adding Fox/FX/FXX and other Hulu content as another bubble under the D+ app, and that is not what I’m talking about.

What I’m talking about is upon launching the app you are given a landing page with D+ on one side and Hulu on the other. Where Hulu is locked based on account setting.

So there would be no diluting of the brand as they would still be separate just under the same app. D+ content would not go until Hulu and vice-versa.

 

[Tony Perkis]

I’m not sure why you would think it would dilute the brand. I’m talking about having clear lines drawn, but just until a single app.

What I thinking you’re thinking is just adding Fox/FX/FXX and other Hulu content as another bubble under the D+ app, and that is not what I’m talking about.

What I’m talking about is upon launching the app you are given a landing page with D+ on one side and Hulu on the other. Where Hulu is locked based on account setting.

So there would be no diluting of the brand as they would still be separate just under the same app. D+ content would not go until Hulu and vice-versa.

To me, that’s not app-selection, that’s profile selection within a single app. Which won’t work because too many IPs are distinctly branded. You also run the risk of kids choosing the wrong outlet, which Disney simply won’t allow for (parents will fail at this often, and it will become social media news).

Disney just launched FX on Hulu (which is awesome, because Devs is great thus far), so it’s clearly their plan to divide the two into separate entities, and rightfully so, considering the vast difference in audience.

 

[Disney Irish]

To me, that’s not app-selection, that’s profile selection within a single app. Which won’t work because too many IPs are distinctly branded. You also run the risk of kids choosing the wrong outlet, which Disney simply won’t allow for (parents will fail at this often, and it will become social media news).

Disney just launched FX on Hulu (which is awesome, because Devs is great thus far), so it’s clearly their plan to divide the two into separate entities, and rightfully so, considering the vast difference in audience.

I'll have to find the article but Iger said at the beginning they plan to have a single interface. Now whether that means they plan to have the same UI under each app or whether they mean to have a single app, that remains to be seen. But it was clear at the time they intended to merge everything at some point to have a single consistent user experience across all content no matter the brand. Again whether that is under a single App or not remains to be seen.

Personally I think it's possible, and still believe its the best in the long run, to have a single app. Again during this downturn they will be looking to streamline all business units to slash costs, Iger even states so in his recent Barron's article. So this is one area where there is clear overlap which can be streamlined for a cost savings. For all I know they may have already done some of that in the backend. Because really it makes no sense to maintain two completely different systems. At some point you have to merge the two, even if you have two different public facing interfaces. Anyways just may thought from the business side.

 

[Tony Perkis]

I'll have to find the article but Iger said at the beginning they plan to have a single interface. Now whether that means they plan to have the same UI under each app or whether they mean to have a single app, that remains to be seen. But it was clear at the time they intended to merge everything at some point to have a single consistent user experience across all content no matter the brand. Again whether that is under a single App or not remains to be seen.

Personally I think it's possible, and still believe its the best in the long run, to have a single app. Again during this downturn they will be looking to streamline all business units to slash costs, Iger even states so in his recent Barron's article. So this is one area where there is clear overlap which can be streamlined for a cost savings. For all I know they may have already done some of that in the backend. Because really it makes no sense to maintain two completely different systems. At some point you have to merge the two, even if you have two different public facing interfaces. Anyways just may thought from the business side.

I just don’t see the advantage. Additionally, everyone with the internet knows how to use multiple apps, and combining them doesn’t resolve licensing agreements.

Combine the two for ease of use sounds nice, but it resolves little.

The moment you consolidate two distinctly different entities, you inevitably sacrifice one for the other, which ensures you’ll then lose a non-insignificant percentage of your paying customers.

Additionally, where is the line? Should National Geographic be folded entirely into Disney+, including live TV? What about Disney channel and sub channels live? ABC? FOX? FX/FXX? ESPN? That’s convoluted as all hell.

There are far too many varying audiences to merge everything into one, and Disney should not synonymous with a Die Hard and Alien. 20th Century serves its obvious purpose, and should remain appropriately a distinctly different brand, as with other subsidiaries.

 

[Disney Irish]

I just don’t see the advantage. Additionally, everyone with the internet knows how to use multiple apps, and combining them doesn’t resolve licensing agreements.

Combine the two for ease of use sounds nice, but it resolves little.

The moment you consolidate two distinctly different entities, you inevitably sacrifice one for the other, which ensures you’ll then lose a non-insignificant percentage of your paying customers.

Additionally, where is the line? Should National Geographic be folded entirely into Disney+, including live TV? What about Disney channel and sub channels live? ABC? FOX? FX/FXX? ESPN? That’s convoluted as all hell.

There are far too many varying audiences to merge everything into one, and Disney should not synonymous with a Die Hard and Alien. 20th Century serves its obvious purpose, and should remain appropriately a distinctly different brand, as with other subsidiaries.

I get your opinion, but I just don't agree with it.

What this comes does to is The Walt Disney Company versus Disney Studios. Disney Studios is family friendly content. The Walt Disney Company is a large conglomerate of many subs. This has been going on for decades long before Fox, ie Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax, etc. They are not one in the same. I think a lot of people understand that and are smarter than we give them credit for. Brand blurring has been occurring for years. Marvel and Lucas for example for all intents and purposes is synonymous with Disney. So unless you live under a rock you know Fox is now Disney too. At some point this conservative idea that you can't have the Disney name touching anything else will go away. Disney is a conglomerate plain and simple. So no you won't see the Disney Studios logo in front of a Die Hard movie. But at the same time you will know its a Disney Company film by the very fact its under the Disney family of companies.

So I no I don't see how having one App will somehow hurt the Disney Studios brand. Because Disney Studios content will still be family friendly same as always. Again people are smarter than we give them credit for. They can understand that having Hulu and having D+ are different paths to different content, even under the same App.

 

[Tony Perkis]

I get your opinion, but I just don't agree with it.

What this comes does to is The Walt Disney Company versus Disney Studios. Disney Studios is family friendly content. The Walt Disney Company is a large conglomerate of many subs. This has been going on for decades long before Fox, ie Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax, etc. They are not one in the same. I think a lot of people understand that and are smarter than we give them credit for. Brand blurring has been occurring for years. Marvel and Lucas for example for all intents and purposes is synonymous with Disney. So unless you live under a rock you know Fox is now Disney too. At some point this conservative idea that you can't have the Disney name touching anything else will go away. Disney is a conglomerate plain and simple. So no you won't see the Disney Studios logo in front of a Die Hard movie. But at the same time you will know its a Disney Company film by the very fact its under the Disney family of companies.

So I no I don't see how having one App will somehow hurt the Disney Studios brand. Because Disney Studios content will still be family friendly same as always. Again people are smarter than we give them credit for. They can understand that having Hulu and having D+ are different paths to different content, even under the same App.

I agree with the majority of this, but I’m not coming from the vantage point of Die Hard having the Disney logo in front of the credits. Obviously, that won’t happen, and shouldn’t for any past Fox film.

I don’t see how you have a singularly branded application for multiple audiences when the primary one is acceptable for people largely 17 and under (without older overlap).

I don’t see a world where Disney+ (General Audiences) and Disney + (17 and older) exist without confusion, parental controls, and additional brand identity issues.

Links within the apps to different related ones based on profile preferences? Sure. But Rocky Horror will never, and should never, exist within the Disney brand from a consumer’s point of view. Hence, the need for multiple apps.

 

[Disney Irish]

I agree with the majority of this, but I’m not coming from the vantage point of Die Hard having the Disney logo in front of the credits. Obviously, that won’t happen, and shouldn’t for any past Fox film.

I don’t see how you have a singularly branded application for multiple audiences when the primary one is acceptable for people largely 17 and under (without older overlap).

I don’t see a world where Disney+ (General Audiences) and Disney + (17 and older) exist without confusion, parental controls, and additional brand identity issues.

Links within the apps to different related ones based on profile preferences? Sure. But Rocky Horror will never, and should never, exist within the Disney brand from a consumer’s point of view. Hence, the need for multiple apps.

And that is why I think you are misunderstanding where I'm coming from. Again I'm not talking about have D+ Kids and D+ Adults. I'm talking about D+ and Hulu. Hulu will still be its own thing, just under a different entry point under the same app. Again you won't have D+ content being filtered into Hulu and vice-versa.

And the advantage is from a consumer vantage point, having a singular App allows for ease of use. How many App do most people have on their devices, dozens, thousands? Sure they might be used to juggling multiple Apps, but if you make it easier for them its a win. And it garners more good will than you'd lose by purists upset that the Disney name potentially been seen as touching Rocky Horror.

Also come on we're talking about an App here. We're not talking about "The Walt Disney Company Presents Rocky Horror Picture Show". Again people are smarter than you are giving them credit for. You can have brand integrity while still having two separate sets of content under one app.

But anyways, you have your opinion and I have mine. I respect your point of view even if I don't agree with it.

 

[Tony Perkis]

And that is why I think you are misunderstanding where I'm coming from. Again I'm not talking about have D+ Kids and D+ Adults. I'm talking about D+ and Hulu. Hulu will still be its own thing, just under a different entry point under the same app. Again you won't have D+ content being filtered into Hulu and vice-versa.

And the advantage is from a consumer vantage point, having a singular App allows for ease of use. How many App do most people have on their devices, dozens, thousands? Sure they might be used to juggling multiple Apps, but if you make it easier for them its a win. And it garners more good will than you'd lose by purists upset that the Disney name potentially been seen as touching Rocky Horror.

Also come on we're talking about an App here. We're not talking about "The Walt Disney Company Presents Rocky Horror Picture Show". Again people are smarter than you are giving them credit for. You can have brand integrity while still having two separate sets of content under one app.

But anyways, you have your opinion and I have mine. I respect your point of view even if I don't agree with it.

Ah, I see what you mean. I get that viewpoint.

I still disagree with you, but I already view Hulu and Disney+ as very separate entities with different audiences. That difference is nothing for me.

 

[Disney Irish]

Ah, I see what you mean. I get that viewpoint.

I still disagree with you, but I already view Hulu and Disney+ as very separate entities with different audiences. That difference is nothing for me.

Yep, I get how you see the Hulu and D+ as separate entities, but in reality they are not now. And in the mind of Disney on the business side they don't see them as separate entities either. Especially with the head of Hulu stepping down as Hulu aligns with the rest of Disney Direct to Consumer division.

 

[doctornick]

Sorry but I gotta side strongly with @Tony Perkis here. Start with the basic issue: what name would you use for this theoretical combined app? Anything like "Walt Disney Company streaming" is a complete non-starter as anything featuring the name "Disney" will never be used for non-family friendly content. So you'd basically have to come up with some gobbledygook name without any meaning which would defeat the purpose of any brand recognition that Disney and Hulu have already built.

And, yeah, as a parent, I'm not going to put some app that would have access to Hulu on my child's device even if there are parental controls. What's the point? I'd ask "why isn't there a kid friendly standalone app?"

I guess this could work if they had a separate collective app with both Disney+ and Hulu (and ESPN+ for that matter) that could be used in lieu of the separate Disney+, Hulu, etc apps that could still continue to function. Don't see that much value there but whatever if they wanted to waste money on doing so fine.

This all comes down to something that is potentially a complicated long term issue for TWDC. Basically: the Disney brand means something very specific and they undersandably continue to be very protective of that. The Disney company/conglomerate is a different concept entirely and very few people associate Star Wars, Marvel, Fox, whatever as being part of the Disney brand even if they realize it is part of the Disney company. I'm really not sure what the ultimate solution to that being - they need to rename the parent conglomerate to something more generic and all emcompassing but what could they use that would be acceptable? Maybe something like "Walt Inc"? I dunno, any option would be problematic.

 

[BrianLo]

Ah, I see what you mean. I get that viewpoint.

I still disagree with you, but I already view Hulu and Disney+ as very separate entities with different audiences. That difference is nothing for me.

I think that’s exactly what I was getting at as well. The advantage is - do they want an entity that is bigger than Netflix?

Right now Disney is on the line for two entirely separate content streams. Dividing their content between two separate services.

A unified service, but with very separate brands, would really give them a content stream to be as valuable as Netflix. Rocky Horror and Handmaids Tale should always remain ‘Hulu’ branded. I’m also not advocating for them to become Disney+

If would be the Disney+ Hulu app.

 

[BrianLo]

Sorry but I gotta side strongly with @Tony Perkis here. Start with the basic issue: what name would you use for this theoretical combined app?

Disney+ Hulu.

I think what we are arguing is being slightly misconstrued. We’re just saying slightly more unified access of both content streams provides value to ensure this is a service that everyone ‘must have’.

It’s a more extreme bundle. Trojan horsing both together. To ensure people feel that they are receiving enough content. Right now Disney+ has a bit of a dearth of new content.

 

[doctornick]

I think what we are arguing is being slightly misconstrued. We’re just saying slightly more unified access of both content streams provides value to ensure this is a service that everyone ‘must have’.

I get that. I don't see a way to do that without diluting or compromising the Disney brand

Maybe it would be possible to have some sort of portal on the Disney+ app to launch the Hulu app more readily (and vice versa) but I don't think one app for both Disney+ and Hulu (and ESPN+ since I don't know why you wouldn't be including that if you are bothering to make something all encompassing) makes any sense from a branding standpoint. Kind of defeats the purpose of having separate services

 

[BrianLo]

I get that. I don't see a way to do that without diluting or compromising the Disney brand

Maybe it would be possible to have some sort of portal on the Disney+ app to launch the Hulu app more readily (and vice versa) but I don't think one app for both Disney+ and Hulu (and ESPN+ since I don't know why you wouldn't be including that if you are bothering to make something all encompassing) makes any sense from a branding standpoint. Kind of defeats the purpose of having separate services

Exactly. That’s what I was picturing. An interface that keeps them at arms length, but one that allows you to subscribe in-app to the different content streams and swipe easily over to the Hulu Splash page.

There are definitely advantages and disadvantages to both thoughts. Right now it kind of feels like they are running three separate content entities entirely. ‘Disney’ ‘Hulu’ and ‘ESPN’. Which aren’t supporting each other in any meaningful way than a bundle.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Sorry but I gotta side strongly with @Tony Perkis here. Start with the basic issue: what name would you use for this theoretical combined app?

Dthulu

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

That lasted 12 hours...

Dang that would have been awesome! I can see Disney maybe making this into a movie series down the road.