In a move that may surprise many, Disney+ is reportedly gearing up to introduce a 24/7 scheduled content feature to its streaming platform. According to a recent report from The Information, the House of Mouse is looking to reinvent the traditional television experience for its subscribers.
The new Disney+ channels will be genre-based, allowing users to tune in to specific content hubs like Marvel, Star Wars, or classic Disney animated films. This approach will harken back to the days of traditional cable television, where viewers would have to “channel hop” to find their desired programming.
While the younger generation of streamers may be less familiar with this linear TV model, the decision to incorporate 24/7 channels on Disney+ speaks to a growing trend among streaming services. Platforms like Pluto TV and Tubi have already embraced the FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) concept, providing users with a more traditional viewing experience.
The report suggests that Disney+’s scheduled channels will not be free, requiring an active subscription to access. Additionally, viewers can expect to encounter commercial breaks during the programming, much like the traditional television model.
“Essentially, it seems like people do want that TV-channel style experience – I personally miss being able to just tune into something part way through, and be able to take mandated, scheduled breaks, even if it is thanks to ads,” commented one industry analyst.
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Disney’s move to introduce 24/7 channels on its streaming platform is likely an attempt to keep users engaged and maintain their subscription base. The company has already made efforts to expand its offerings, recently integrating Hulu content into the Disney+ experience.
While the details and release timeline for this new feature remain unclear, Disney+ subscribers can look forward to a more traditional television-like experience in the near future. This change may resonate with those who fondly remember the days of channel surfing and scheduled programming, while potentially alienating some of the younger, on-demand-focused streaming viewers.
