The Walt Disney Company’s streaming service, Disney+, is said to be creating heated discussions among executives. It is about whether Disney should feature more explicit and adult content. Disney+ is the home of content from the company’s various franchises, including Marvel, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, and others. The streaming service recently marked its second anniversary with the “disastrous” Disney+ Day. It has several initiatives in the works for its various assets.
After years of purchasing numerous properties and the expiration of the prior partnership with Netflix, Disney+ was formally launched on November 12, 2019. It has over 118.1 million users. The service has been able to prosper because of its diverse content inventory and the popularity of its original programming. As Disney+ grows in popularity, the corporation is beginning to reconsider the path. It needs to take to compete with other streaming platforms in terms of audience.
According to a recent report from Puck, executives at the Walt Disney Company are debating whether Disney should feature more adult content. Bob Iger, the business’s former CEO, and current executive is said to feel the corporation should stick with its current content. After a dismal gain in subscribers in the fourth quarter, current Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek argues the service should expand to appeal to a wider audience. Disney+, according to Chapek, may also include advertisements in the future.
Disney+: Mature Content or No?
The service attracted fans of franchises like MCU, the Star Wars Universe, and Disney Channel’s original programming and movies. But the firm has not yet released all of the content that they have access to. Several adult-oriented businesses, and nearly anything rated MA or R on television, are unable to find a place on the service. This makes it difficult for Disney+ to develop subscribers beyond those of Netflix or Amazon Prime. They cater to a wide range of audiences.
Star was also a part of Disney+ in select international countries in February of this year. This included television and movies aimed at a more mature audience from Walt Disney Company assets such as 20th Century Fox and ABC. The inclusion of parental controls came into existence intending to keep mature content apart from family content. It’s unknown when this feature will be available in the United States.
As the company grows, so does the concept of what Disney+ can offer. Some adjustments will be necessary for the service, such as the addition of the new Disney+ Marvel banners. Others may be a requirement. Withholding material simply serves to hinder the company’s ability to compete with other streaming services on the market. The Walt Disney Company must maintain the family values on which it founded its base. But it is also critical to recognize that its audience matures and grows. Disney+ also has the option of growing alongside them or abandoning them, which will affect their long-term popularity.