Beyond Netflix: Disney Plus joins the streaming fray

Disney is throwing its hat into streaming Tuesday with debut of its Disney Plus service.

It is hoping $7-a-month service, years in making will attract millions of subscribers with its mix of Marvel and Star Wars movies and shows, classic animated films, and new series.

re’s a lot riding on gamble, as tritional media companies seek to siphon subscription revenue w going to Netflix and or streaming giants.

With an vertising blitz, low entry price and coveted library of older movies and shows, Disney should “blow doors off initially,” said Pivotal Research Group analyst Jeffrey Wlodarczak.

But challenge will be keeping those subscribers in long run.

Disney is t alone in making gambit. Here’s a look at new streaming challengers and what you get with each:

DISNEY PLUS

Disney’s entertainment service, featuring shows and movies from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic.

Launch date: v. 12

Price: $7 a month or $70 a year. Getting Disney Plus with ESPN Plus and Hulu, both owned by Disney, will cost $13 a month.

Promotions: Seven-day free trial. Free year with all Verizon Wireless unlimited plans and when customers switch to Verizon’s Fios Home Internet or 5G Home Internet.

Original shows: “ Mandalorian,” a live-action “Star Wars” series created by Jon Favreau. A prequel to “Star Wars” movie “Rogue One.” A series about Marvel character Loki. A rebooted “High School Musical” series. A documentary series focused on Disney.

Or shows and movies: Animated classics, including “Aldin” and “ Jungle Book,” will be available at launch; ors will be ded as streaming deals with or services expire. Movies released in 2019 or later will go to Disney Plus rar than a rival streaming service first. Disney Plus will also house past seasons of “ Simpsons,” which Disney got through its purchase of Fox’s entertainment business.

APPLE TV PLUS

Apple’s entry into streaming business.

Launch date: v. 1

Price: $5 a month

Promotions: Seven-day free trial. A year free to buyers of a new iPhone, iP, Apple TV, iPod Touch or Mac.

Original shows: A Jason Momoa series called “See” and “ Morning Show,” a comedy starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Wirspoon and Steve Carrell. service will launch with nine original shows and movies, with more expected each month.

Or shows and movies: ne.

PEACOCK

service from Comcast’s NBCUniversal will carry 15,000 hours of video at launch.

Launch date: April 2020

Price: Undisclosed

Promotions: Free for many Comcast cable and internet customers.

Original shows: Reboots of “Battlestar Galactica” and “Saved by Bell.” Comedy series “Rurford Falls,” from Michael Schur, creator of “ Good Place” and “Parks and Recreation.”

Or shows and movies: “30 Rock, “Will & Grace,” and “Cheers,” though se won’t stream exclusively on Peacock. Peacock will get “Parks and Recreation” and “ Office” once existing deals with Netflix expire. “Bridesmaids,” ″E.T.” and or movies from Universal Pictures, Focus Features and DreamWorks Animation.

HBO MAX

A souped-up version of HBO from AT&T’s WarnerMedia, with some 10,000 hours of video at launch.

Launch date: May 2020

Price: $15 a month

Promotions: Free for about 10 million existing HBO subscribers — those who get HBO through AT&T distribution platforms such as U-Verse and DirecTV, and those who get HBO w streaming service directly from HBO, rar than a cable or online partner such as Amazon. Free for customers of AT&T’s higher-tier wireless and broband offerings.

Original shows: A “Game of Thrones” prequel called “House of Dragon.” ″Raised by Wolves,” a sci-fi series directed by Ridley Scott. “Strange ventures,” a DC Super Hero anthology series.

Or shows and movies: HBO shows and movies, including atrical releases that HBO licenses. Programs from Warner Bros. studio, including “Friends,” ″ Big Bang ory,” ″ Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and “Pretty Little Liars.” animated comedy “South Park.” New CW shows “Batwoman” and “Riverdale” spiff “Katy Keene” will also be available to stream after season ends.