Disney+ to Launch in Europe Ahead of Schedule on March 24

[SaxPlayer]

Disney content isn't really my cup of tea (not into all that super hero stuff, although the Star Wars content might be attractive). However, I must congratulate Disney on (apparently) supporting LG TV's going right back to 2016 meaning that my TV will have the app (it's a 2017 LG OLED).

AppleTV+ on my 2017 LG? Nah.

 

[Agit21]

Great news!!!

 

[Rexogamer]

It launches on my birthday now, haha! I’m fairly interested in D+ (shame that at launch they’ll likely have to miss out on some stuff because of Sky contacts).

 

[Mr Todhunter]

Judging from the Mandalorian, which is pure rubbish, I will not be joining.

 

[robjulo]

What a shocker. I doubt they miss you. You can get through the limited content in a week.

Too little too late.

Apple TV+ is where its at for me now. Nothing else matters.

 

[xyz01]

Disney content isn't really my cup of tea (not into all that super hero stuff, although the Star Wars content might be attractive). However, I must congratulate Disney on (apparently) supporting LG TV's going right back to 2016 meaning that my TV will have the app (it's a 2017 LG OLED).

AppleTV+ on my 2017 LG? Nah.

Not that it matters that much - AppleTV+ is pretty much a non-player, with an extremely limited selection (and so far, no must-sees) - but for pretty much any TV you're far better off in just getting an AppleTV and treat your TV as a dumb screen. The selection of services and apps are much better, the UI is easier and more streamlined - and after a couple of years, you can just get a new one at the fraction of the cost of a new TV. It's not like LG has improved WebOS on my C7V a lot since release.

Do you still get a year of AppleTV+ when buying an AppleTV?

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Because they have long term local pay TV contracts with providers there that don't expire until then and there wouldn't be any content on the service otherwise.

Yes, I know, but...

...I guess they've planned this for a while and could have (re-) negotiated if they wanted to, and...

...I could have lived very well with some titles missing from the launch date (and then added at a later date when the current deals elapsed) to get an opportunity to watch new, original content, like - let's say - a certain Star Wars show featuring a Mandalorian...

 

[dumastudetto]

I guess this was sarcastic? Apple TV+ have started with some decent content but it is way too little yet, no? I am enjoying the first year free and hope volume has picked up when it is time to pay..

I don't need to binge on 20 box sets a week to feel entertained. I like to dip in and out of shows with occasional viewings as time allows. Apple TV+ has more than enough great content to keep most people happily entertained for ages, and the library is expanding all the time.

 

[SidricTheViking]

Delighted with it coming one week early. Ready to cancel Netflix - fast running out of things to watch! This will get me over the summer, along with TV‘a drip-drip releases. Might rejoin Netflix later in the year. Certainly in time for season 3 of Lost in Space.

 

[rmoliv]

Apple should acquire Sony Entertainment or whatever to have a back catalog. I’ve already run out of content to watch. Apart from The Morning Show and Servant the content is pretty mediocre and uninteresting. My hopes are on Amazing Stories, but the other shows they announced look like flops in the making for the most part. I think Apple TV+ is doomed unless they act NOW.

 

[lewchenko]

but for pretty much any TV you're far better off in just getting an AppleTV and treat your TV as a dumb screen. The selection of services and apps are much better, the UI is easier and more streamlined - and after a couple of years, you can just get a new one at the fraction of the cost of a new TV.

or save yourself a chunk of money and just get a Roku 4K Express stick. I paid 24.99 for mine and can stream Apple TV, Amazon, Netflix, and countless others. Comes with a remote and the apps work fine. Was up and running watching content in a couple of minutes.
Apple wanted about £170 for their current Apple TV device which is ridiculous.

 

[Baymowe335]

500 feature films and over 7,500 shows? Meanwhile at Apple TV...

Content is Disney’s entire business...

 

[Spendlove]

Is there anything worth watching other than the Mandalorian?

 

[SBlue1]

Content is Disney’s entire business...

Apple could have licensed content for its streaming service. Like they did with Apple Music, Apple News, Apple Books. The only other content they create is Beats One Radio. Heck Apple TV could have had it both ways like Netflix having a huge library of popular and classic movies and series and creating own quality content.

Maybe I am just too old since I don't bother watching original content. Only originals I ever watched was NFLs Hard Knocks and Amazons All or Nothing.

 

[brinary001]

Having lived in America my whole life, we always get everything first here: Apple Pay, Apple Card, streaming services, etc. It's easy to forget that when something launches here, it doesn't necessarily (and in fact seldom does) launch worldwide.

 

[Stromos]

Anyone else burning out with all the services? Also thanks to Comcast data caps by next year I'm pretty sure I'll be paying more than cable.

 

[trainwrecka]

Haven't touched this since the Star Wars show ended. I think I'll go month-to-month next time.

 

[johnyslats]

Having lived in America my whole life, we always get everything first here: Apple Pay, Apple Card, streaming services, etc. It's easy to forget that when something launches here, it doesn't necessarily (and in fact seldom does) launch worldwide.

Generally seems to be the case, but The Netherlands actually got Disney+ 2 months before anyone else did. And it was all free

 

[Marshall73]

Already watched Mandalorian so in no rush to sign up. Watched the beginning of Star Wars in 4K, the 97 special edition is incredibly bad with the added cg effects ruining the film now. Hopefully they will release remastered versions of the originals now that they own the rights to them after buying Fox.

 

[Baymowe335]

Apple could have licensed content for its streaming service. Like they did with Apple Music, Apple News, Apple Books. The only other content they create is Beats One Radio. Heck Apple TV could have had it both ways like Netflix having a huge library of popular and classic movies and series and creating own quality content.

Maybe I am just too old since I don't bother watching original content. Only originals I ever watched was NFLs Hard Knocks and Amazons All or Nothing.

Apple just started. They could haul off and buy Disney if they really wanted it, so let’s give it some time.

Based on your examples, you should see Apple completely understands licensing agreements and will do whatever they feel is necessary to make Apple TV+ a success.

 

[scoobydoo99]

I already have the US version and realized that I haven’t used it in over a month. In the beginning i was super excited but there just aren’t enough originals or enough hours in a week to justify rewatching old stuff for nostalgia when I got a huge list of NEW stuff to catch up with on Netflix. Time to cancel it

I'm not cancelling, but in general I agree. I mean, it sounds amazing: Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars! Some of the biggest names in our entertainment universe! But when I sit down to watch something, it's like...okay, I'm not interested in re-watching almost ANYTHING Marvel (maybe Ragnarok). And I've seen Episode IV a million times. The catalog is very impressive to see up on the screen with all those amazing, colorful icons...but I don't often actually want to WATCH any of it. I will say that The Simpsons does offer a bit of value, as there are a lot of great moments in there. At $6.99 it's just cheap enough to keep around for the occasional back-catalog movies and Simpsons, but any more expensive and I'd be out.

They definitley need to invest heavily in original content. The Mandalorian alone can't justify a continuing subscription on just 8 episodes a year.

 

[brinary001]

Generally seems to be the case, but The Netherlands actually got Disney+ 2 months before anyone else did. And it was all free

Right yeah I read that in the article! But wasn't Disney giving it away as a form of comping Dutch customers because it was in beta at the time? I mean, they wouldn't want to charge people for a service they know is bound to have issues, but in exchange they gather feedback from the testing process and fix it in time for those who will have to pay for it. It's a win-win really.

 

[The Phazer]

Yes, I know, but...

...I guess they've planned this for a while and could have (re-) negotiated if they wanted to, and...

Sky gave them an awful, awful lot of money on the basis of exclusivity and have absolutely no reason to renegotiate. What's possibly in it for them? Disney have planned it for a while, but not five years, which is probably when their contract was signed. Some of the Fox ones are worse - it's long since established that the Simpsons deal is for the life of the series, which means it was agreed in *1989*.

...I could have lived very well with some titles missing from the launch date (and then added at a later date when the current deals elapsed) to get an opportunity to watch new, original content, like - let's say - a certain Star Wars show featuring a Mandalorian...

The Mandalorian is the only original of any note available for the first six months, and there would have been 95% of the other content missing. That would have not gone down well, not at all. Disney did the only logical thing here.

 

[Brenster]

If I have a USA Disney+ account, Could I use it in Europe?

Yes, using it in conjunction with Smart DNS here. Works very well indeed.

 

[BvizioN]

Let's remember: Apple had revolutionised the music business and, against the marketing strategies of the past, has pushed it through with sensible prices and concepts. Apple is now extremely unagitated and very professional. I miss nothing.
AppleTV seems just as professional to me. Apple is trying to create best entertainment.
After Apple had created this new market, copycats like Amazon etc. came along. Did they really expand the product range?
The more providers share the market, the less money is available to create good products.
In a limited market competition spoils the quality of variety.
Besides, I don't believe anyone here who claims to use Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Disney+ , Sky TV at the same time.
Not even the unemployed have that much free time. And money.

I am a big Apple fan but Apple TV+ just doesn't cut it for me. And by the way, Apple is the copycat here, while others like Netflix or Amazon Prime have had a great jumpstart on this. Originals and Carpool karaoke crap are not really my thing.
Oh, by the way, I do use Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube at the same time. I don't get it what is so hard to believe about it? YouTube is a free platform. Amazon Prime video comes as a perk for what I pay to have my deliveries on the next day. So, in reality, Netflix is the only streaming service is the one I specifically pay to stream movies and shows. I don't do Sky TV, it is overpriced. I don't watch Apple TV+, even though I have it 12 months free with my iPhone 11Pro, I have not watched a single show. Not my thing.