Disney has evolved since its early entertainment days, eschewing a focus on celluloid-based animated films for a more full-featured commercial offering, including TV shows, straight-to-DVD sequels and even video games. Considering the distance traveled by the company in its efforts to adapt and grow with a metamorphosing market, doubling down on increasingly popular digital content seems an obvious move. And that's just what the company has planned.
Yesterday, the 'House the Mouse Built' announced "Disney Studio All Access," a one-stop online shop for Disney fans that will encompass other Disney initiatives, like Disney Keychest - the long-promised, yet still unreleased service which would enable viewers to watch whatever they want on various multimedia devices. The new platform (which president of distribution Bob Chapek claims will do that and more) touts over 5 million titles.
Disney's attempts at catering to a viewership with a voracious appetite for digital content have been quizzical in the past. The company signed a deal with Netflix in December that took a big stride towards increasing the reach of its online content. Premium VOD, however, is one avenue the company hasn't fully embraced -- yet, anyway.
Chapek was reticent with details, reports Home Media Magazine, with no specific 'first premium VOD title' announced. He did however confirm that the target demographic will be families with children (shocker), adding that disrupting a release's theatrical debut with a same-day or week VOD version would be a mistake: "We have to recognize that theatrical exhibition is a wave maker."
In addition to the new digital content distribution plan, the company also said it will increase the price on its products via Netflix and rental kiosks to counter faltering DVD sales. Rough news for kids. Maybe an allowance increase is in order? (Via Home Media Magazine)
