Disney Unlocking 'The Vault': Announces Launch of Disney Plus Streaming Service
Disney is set to double down on its investment in the streaming market, announcing that it will launch a new streaming platform, Disney Plus in November. It will be home to all sorts of classic and new Disney content. This effectively marks the end of the "Disney Vault," where popular Disney films would only be available on DVD or similar for a limited period of time before going "back in the vault" for months or years (thus influencing its own supply and demand cycle).
The new streaming service will likely be great for Disney fans and parents, featuring content aimed at a younger audience, along with Pixar, Marvel, National Geographic and Star Wars movies and shows. At launch, Disney expects thousands of TV episodes and hundreds of movies to be available on Day One, with the library set to grow from there.
The new streaming platform will have a starting price of only $6.99 per month, about half the cost of a Netflix subscription. You can save a few dollars by going all-in on a year's subscription for $70. This family-friendly steaming service will make for an easy-peasy family travel break during a layover or similar, assuming you've got tablets and Wi-Fi available.
However, for all of those fans who have been bingeing on Disney content on Netflix, whether at home or on the road (more and more hotels allow you to watch your own steaming accounts on hotel TVs), this is not such great news. Disney has chosen not to renew its agreement with Netflix and will move all its content to the new service. Most all Disney content will be removed from Netflix by the end of 2019.
While the $7 per month price tag is one of the cheaper monthly fees for a streaming service, don't expect that price to stay around forever. As Disney adds content to the service, we predict that price will increase, just as the costs of Hulu and Netflix went up over time. And naturally, regardless of the exact price, adding yet another monthly subscription to a budget comes with its own obvious set of drawbacks.
As for Hulu, in which Disney now owns a majority stake after its recent purchase of 21st Century Fox, content on that service will be aimed at a more adult audience. Hulu will retain most of the Fox content it currently offers, while the new Disney Plus service will integrate some Fox content on the new platform as well, such as offering all 30 seasons of "The Simpsons."
If you're a sports fan with ESPN Plus — which Disney also owns — you may soon be able to bundle Hulu, ESPN and the new Disney Plus for a reduced monthly subscription price for two or all three of the services.
While $7 per month doesn't seem like much, when you start paying for multiple streaming services, it adds up. So check out our guide for which credit cards offer the best benefits or rewards when it comes to paying those monthly subscriptions (some actually offer annual credits toward such services).
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.