Disney+ today launched in seven countries of Western Europe, sticking to its original timeline of a 24th March launch in these countries, despite the Coronavirus shutdown. Adhering to the European Commission’s request to streaming companies to tone down streaming resolutions, Disney+ has also launched in standard resolution as against the coveted high definition resolution.
Most trade pundits are speculating that it is a very favourable time for Disney to launch its streaming services in Europe, and have projected a minimum of 10 million subscriptions for Disney+ from Europe in the initial months.
The reason is quite obvious. The raging Coronavirus has forced an unprecedented lockdown in European countries, and families, including children and working parents, have been homebound for days together. The end of the devastating period is nowhere in sight, which means there’s still a long way to go being cooped up inside homes.
A spanking new Disney+ subscription is like manna from heaven for grownups and kids with nothing to do, giving them access to hours and hours of new content, well-loved shows of their own childhood, and lots more.
Futuresource, a research and analysis company, forecasts, “The current stay-at-home directive due to the coronavirus, along with additional distribution partnerships, are likely to see subscriber uptake reach even higher levels than previously anticipated, even exceed 10 million. With the current unorthodox situation we find ourselves in, subscriptions will be further boosted.”
Said Kevin Mayer, Chairman of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International, about Disney+’s Europe launch, “We humbly hope that this service can bring some much-needed moments of respite for families during these difficult times.”
Well, the same cannot be said for India, where Disney+ has put off its launch indefinitely, from the originally declared 29th March premiere date.
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