Disney interested in going FAST

[Bob F]

As in free, advert-supported television, a burgeoning part of the industry most of whose players you would know or recognize... new chief Josh D'Amaro at die Maus' latest earnings call said ir's "a means of expanding its streaming advertising industry and for free services to become a “funnel” for consumers to sign on for" their streaming products:
https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/disney-free-streaming-channels-launch-josh-damaro-1236828249/ (link)

B

[Mark Jeffries]

There are already some linear channels on Disney+, including besides the ABC News streamer a Disney Princesses channel, a Pixar channel, a "Throwbacks" channel which does contain some movies (including some 20th titles), but is mostly from Disney Channel, the every-"Simpsons"-episode channel and a "Playtime" channel for Disney Jr. shows. I would think that they would be offering  a Star Wars and a Marvel channel and a classic Disney animation channel, but I guess not. Also, I assume cable contracts would disallow any kind of ESPN channel.

Mark Jeffries
spotl...@gmail.com

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[Bob F]

Yeah, The Ocho is a seasonal thing, not worth a full channel regardless of how much Ocho-esque content exists.     B

Mark Jeffries, to moi, Aug 5th:

There are already some linear channels on Disney+, including besides the ABC News streamer a Disney Princesses channel, a Pixar channel, a "Throwbacks" channel which does contain some movies (including some 20th titles), but is mostly from Disney Channel, the every-"Simpsons"-episode channel and a "Playtime" channel for Disney Jr. shows. I would think that they would be offering  a Star Wars and a Marvel channel and a classic Disney animation channel, but I guess not. Also, I assume cable contracts would disallow any kind of ESPN channel.

[Jim Ellwanger]

I suspect, if they did have thoughts of doing an ESPN FAST channel, it would be "30 for 30" episodes and similar documentary programming, rather than any kind of actual event coverage.

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[Adam Bowie]

My suspicion is that the free channels will mostly be in markets where they can't persuade people to pay for Disney+. Outside of the UK and the US, there is very little original language programming for non-English speakers. Netflix has loads, Amazon has some and even Apple has a bit. But Disney is very light on it. OK - you can watch the original French version of High Potential on the UK Disney+ (Audrey Fleurot, who was in the superb French police series Spiral/Engrenages (seriously - check this out if you can find it), is fantastic originating the character played by Kaitlin Olson).

It would make sense to onboard customers in countries where they've just not gained much traction. On the other hand, stuffing the Disney+ app full of Disneyland ticketing and Disney Cruise booking information is just bloatware if I'm in, say, South Africa. And seemingly, they're going to do that too... (In fact, it's bloatware to me too, as someone who will *never* be going to a theme park or getting on a cruise liner). 

But I guess they could just do their version of Tubi with loads of old Disney/Touchstone films and TV series.

Adam

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[Kevin M. (RPCV)]

Isn't ABC a "free" Disney channel?

[Bob F]

We've been talking about free streaming. Cable/satellite companies and any number of other stakeholders wouldn't let any of the "majors" go there.

Kevin M, August 8th: