Update #1 11/12: more Android TV details
Update #2 11/12: all supported devices confirmed
Disney provided additional details about its new Disney+ streaming service today. This included a rundown of the devices the service will be accessible on.
From the Android perspective, those interested in subscribing to Disney+ will be able to access the service on pretty much any Android device, including Android TV.
The announcement specifically mentions Sony-branded TVs powered by Android TV, but also references Android TV in general. Suggesting there will be a standalone Android TV app available from the Google Play Store that’s likely to be compatible with most Android TV devices.
Disney+ will also support casting via Chromecast.
Beyond Android, Disney+ will also be accessible from iOS devices including Apple TV. This is in addition to Microsoft’s Xbox One, Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Roku set-top boxes and TVs.
Interestingly, Amazon’s Fire TV ecosystem was not mentioned in the announcement. As it stands, it looks as though Fire TV might not have direct access to Disney+ although this may change at a later time.
Not just more Disney+ devices, but also more countries
As part of the same announcement, Disney also confirmed the service will go live for users in Canada and the Netherlands on November 12, 2019. This is the same day the service launches in the U.S.
Following this, on November 19 the service will also go live in Australia and New Zealand.
Disney did not provide details on any other specific countries but did state the plan is for the service to go live in “most major markets” within two years.
Disney+ looking like a real contender
Besides the wide device support and quicker than expected launch outside of the U.S., Disney+ is shaping up to be a real game-changer.
Disney previously confirmed the service will cost $6.99 per month. At that rate, it significantly undercuts Netflix, as well as WarnerMedia’s upcoming HBO Max streaming service.
More recently, Disney confirmed users in the U.S. will also be able to save even more through a Disney+ bundle.
This bundle not only includes access to Disney+, but also ESPN+ and Hulu. The price of the bundle comes in at $12.99 per month. That’s the same price as Netflix, and again, cheaper than the expected price of HBO Max.
All in all, Disney appears to be hitting the launch date as hard as it can. The company has now confirmed wide device support, simultaneous launches in different countries on the same day, and also pricing that is likely to appeal to a lot of users.
Update #1 11/12: wide Android TV support confirmed
Now the service has launched there are more details available regarding Android TV.
Disney has now released an Android app that’s widely compatible with most Android TV devices. This not only includes set-top boxes like the NVIDIA SHIELD and Xiaomi Mi Box, but also TVs powered by Android TV.
The main Android TV requirement is a device that’s at least running Android 5.0. As long as a device is running Lollipop at a minimum, there should be no issues downloading the Android TV app
More details on the Android TV support available here.
Update #2 11/12: all supported devices confirmed
Here’s a list of all the devices Disney has confirmed as compatible with Disney+.
- Android phones and tablets (Android 5.0+)
- Android TV boxes and TVs
- Chromebooks (only via the Android app)
- Chromecast
- Amazon Fire TV boxes and TVs
- Roku Streaming Stick, Express, Premiere, Ultra, and Roku TV
- LG WebOS Smart TVs (2016 or later with WebOS 3.0 or later)
- Samsung Tizen Smart TVs (2016 or later)
- Xbox One, One S, One X
- Sony PlayStation 4, Slim and Pro
- Desktop browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari
- iOS phones and tablets (iOS 11.0 and later)