Disney+ Officially Launches in the UK and More European Countries

[MacRumors]

Disney+ today officially launched in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, and Austria.

The premium streaming service is accessible via web browser, on Amazon Fire devices, Roku streaming devices, Apple TV (4K or HD), iOS devices, Android, Google Chromecast, Xbox One, PS4, and smart TVs from LG, Sony, Samsung, and Vizio. You can download the iPhone and iPad apps here.

The subscription price in the U.K. and across Europe is £5.99/EUR6.99 per month, or £59.99/EUR69.99 for an annual subscription.

Over 500 feature films and over 7,500 shows are available on the service including new original content like the critically acclaimed "The Mandalorian" and "The World According To Jeff Goldblum," along with timeless classics like "Lady and the Tramp," "Star Wars," and the entire Pixar library.

Disney+ has been available in the U.S. for a while now, but subscribers should note that there will be some content differences in the European offering because of licensing issues.

Due to the anticipated high load on the continent's broadband infrastructure because of a surge in remote working, Disney+ is following other digital video services by streaming at an intentionally lowered bitrate, so picture quality won't be as good as some viewers will be expecting.

It's unclear how long Disney intends to limit video quality, but Netflix said last Thursday that it plans to implement similar measures for 30 days, following a request from the European Union.

The launch of Disney+ has been delayed in France by two weeks on request of the French government - Disney+ will now launch in the country the week of April 7.

Disney says the service will launch later this summer in additional Western Europe markets, including Belgium, the Nordics, and Portugal. Disney+ has been available in the Netherlands since September, when it launched there as a pilot trial.

Article Link: Disney+ Officially Launches in the UK and More European Countries

 

[BvizioN]

I will happily pay £5.99 for this service.
The timing couldn't have been any more perfect.

 

[fokmik]

I guess italian people are happy for this

 

[jacg]

Does anyone know if it can be accessed via a VPN in Asia (Thailand)?

 

[robbieduncan]

Logged in on a few devices, created profiles etc. Content selection looks good. Login was smooth. No issues with server capacity

 

[Mutepointer]

Netflix should buy Disney 😂

 

[Moonjumper]

Apparently only the first two episodes of The Mandalorian are available initially, with a further episode each week, despite being available in other regions. So no binge watching. I assume it is the same for other content.

I'll leave it for now.

 

[Mutepointer]

I can’t wait for this and BritBox to be on ps4.

 

[ascender]

Apparently only the first two episodes of The Mandalorian are available initially, with a further episode each week, despite being available in other regions. So no binge watching. I assume it is the same for other content.

I'll leave it for now.

I assumed it would all be on there to binge, especially with what's going on in the world at the moment.

 

[robbieduncan]

You're joking? I assumed it would all be on there to binge, especially with what's going on in the world at the moment.

Just checked and can confirm. Right now only the first 2 episodes are there.

 

[sublunar]

Just checked and can confirm. Right now only the first 2 episodes are there.

Clearly to stop Star Wars fans from signing up for a month and then cancelling?

 

[robbieduncan]

Clearly to stop Star Wars fans from signing up for a month and then cancelling?

Or just using the 7 day free trial and watching it all

 

[ascender]

Just checked and can confirm. Right now only the first 2 episodes are there.

That's disappointing then. Even given the fact its been so widely pirated you'd have thought they'd just get it out there on day one.

 

[Unami]

That's disappointing then. Even given the fact its been so widely pirated you'd have thought they'd just get it out there on day one.

yes, that‘s pretty absurd. I pirated the first four episodes months ago, but haven’t found the time to watch them yet. so I thought I’ll wait until I’ll have Disney+ and then binge watch them legally. now, that I bought it it for a year, pirating is still better. way to go, disney.

 

[Agit21]

Finally! This will be the best streaming service for sure.

 

[sofila]

Clearly to stop Star Wars fans from signing up for a month and then cancelling?

Or just using the 7 day free trial and watching it all

But Star Wars fans only interested in Mandalorian won't sign up for a longer period anyway. Even later

 

[chris1958]

Netflix should buy Disney 😂

Apple must by Disney because both target the same audience (family friendly). Netflix is different. Disney should now be a quite easy target with theme-parks and cinemas closed for the foreseeable future.

 

[Chris The Bipolarbear]

Content is definitely less than us. No frozen 2, Noelle, Descendants3‘ and only 1 episode of high school musical the series. Also other shows like Andi Mack have reduced episodes

 

[ascender]

Clearly to stop Star Wars fans from signing up for a month and then cancelling?

That's exactly what I'm going to do when its available or I might just hang off until the Marvel shows land to be honest. The Mandalorian isn't exactly difficult to find which is why I find their approach very strange - I'm sure there'd even have been people who would have bought it on iTunes by now.

I get the need to have a flagship show on streaming, but their strategy has been a bit half-baked.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Looks very good so far. It's good to see that Disney really made the experience a smooth one, as the app feels very mature already.

Streaming quality is excellent too. Nice to see the original Star Wars with the new 4K scans; they actually look like 35mm film now...

I was also surprised to see the original Mickey Mouse shorts from the 40's and more, they're really wonderful and not available on Blu-ray in the U.K.

Well worth £5 a month (annual plan).

 

[Janichsan]

yes, that‘s pretty absurd. I pirated the first four episodes months ago, but haven’t found the time to watch them yet. so I thought I’ll wait until I’ll have Disney+ and then binge watch them legally. now, that I bought it it for a year, pirating is still better. way to go, disney.

Yeah, it's safe to assume that every European wanting to see that show already has.

 

[itsmilo]

Does anyone know if it can be accessed via a VPN in Asia (Thailand)?

smartdns works

 

[orbital~debris]

Yeah, it's safe to assume that every European wanting to see that show already has.

Your assumption’s incorrect. I’m European and have been eagerly awaiting the UK launch of Disney+ so I can watch this show.

I’d rather be an honest consumer of content and prefer to pay for things that have value to me.

 

[robbieduncan]

Your assumption’s incorrect. I’m European and have been eagerly awaiting the UK launch of Disney+ so I can watch this show.

I’d rather be an honest consumer of content and prefer to pay for things that have value to me.

I've not watched it either but probably will now I can

 

[WhiteHawk]

Your assumption’s incorrect. I’m European and have been eagerly awaiting the UK launch of Disney+ so I can watch this show.

I’d rather be an honest consumer of content and prefer to pay for things that have value to me.

Yep, not everyone is a thieving scumbag. Just wish we didn’t have this drop in quality right now as it’s definitely having more of an impact on the image quality than it is on the internet infrastructure.