Disney to Close Multiple Apps as Push to Disney+ Continues
The cost-cutting move will help Disney further promote its on-demand streaming apps.
Legacy media companies have spent much of 2024 trying to cut down on ancillary costs as they seek greater profits for their subscription streaming services; now, it’s Disney’s turn. According to a report from What's on Disney+, Disney has decided to shut down several of its on-demand streaming apps for mobile devices and connected TVs, including DisneyNOW, FXNow, ABC, and more.
Key Details:
- Disney warned customers it was shutting down five on-demand apps in September.
- Viewers will still be able to access the on-demand content via the web using TV Everywhere credentials.
- Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount have made similar cost-saving moves of late.
Late last week, Disney warned customers that it was closing down five of its on-demand apps: ABC, DisneyNOW, Freeform, FXNow, and Nat Geo TV. As of Sept. 23, these apps will no longer be found on smart TVs or connected devices like Roku or Amazon Fire TV-branded streaming players, nor will they be available for mobile customers.
The websites for these apps have gotten a reprieve for now. Cable customers with TV Everywhere credentials can still access the on-demand content found on the apps via the web once the apps shut down, or they can find many of the TV episodes and other titles available there on Disney+ and/or Hulu.
“The DisneyNOW app is going away, but all your favorite shows, shorts, minisodes, games & live TV offerings are here to stay,” Disney’s warning to customers reads. “As of September 23, 2024, the DisneyNOW app will no longer be available on mobile devices and Connected TV. Don’t worry! There are still plenty of ways to watch everything DisneyNOW on air, online and on demand.”
Why Are Media Companies Pulling Back On-Demand Apps?
As referenced above, Disney is just the latest media firm to cut down on the number of video apps it operates. Warner Bros. Discovery recently announced it was closing down its kid-focused streaming service Boomerang as of Sept. 30, and migrating much of its animated content to the company’s lead streaming service Max.
Paramount also made a similar move over the summer. In June, the company purged the video archives of the Comedy Central and MTV webpages and other sites associated with its cable channels. When customers visited these sites, they were told to sign up for a Paramount+ subscription to watch that content.
These efforts are all just another piece of the profitability puzzle for legacy media companies. They need to make streaming pay sooner rather than later as they face continuing revenue declines from their cable channels, and the more free ways they offer video content, the less incentive there is for customers to sign up for their paid streaming services.
The closing of these ancillary on-demand apps also allows these companies to save a little money, and as subscription services are increasingly bundled with cable packages the websites kept live for customers with TV Everywhere logins will likely also be shut down. It’s just another sign of how the TV industry is evolving, as channel owners try to figure out the next step with faltering linear channels.
Disney+
Disney+ is a video streaming service with over 13,000 series and films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, The Muppets, and more. It is available in 61 countries and 21 languages. It is notable for its popular original series like “The Mandalorian,” “Ms. Marvel,” “Loki,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Andor.”