Disney won't put out its next movie until October, but that doesn't mean its blockbuster summer is over.

If churning out five new additions to the billion-dollar box-office club wasn't enough, Disney kept its record-setting 2019 going over the weekend, hosting its 11th annual D23 Expo in Anaheim. The event is essentially Disney's very own version of Comic-Con, complete with its own roster of star-studded panels to update fans on what's coming next for the company's content and theme parks divisions.

In previous years, D23's production updates have been largely focused on Disney's theatrical offerings, but the small screen stole the show at this year's event.

The House of Mouse is just a few months away from unleashing Disney+ ⁠— the long-awaited streaming service that's been seemingly labeled a potential "Netflix killer" since before it was announced in September of 2017. Disney ($DIS) used D23 to put its original content slate in the spotlight and give audiences their best sense yet of what to expect when the platform goes live on November 12.

All of Disney's highly-lucrative properties will stream on the new service, from older classics (Disney+ will be the exclusive streaming home of the studio's entire theatrical library) to newly acquired ones (the Disney-Fox deal means "The Simpsons" are moving to Disney+) to the studio's current phase of extended cinematic universes (if you thought you were already suffering from Marvel and 'Star Wars' fatigue ⁠— you ain't seen nothing yet.)

Marvel Studios is working on at least eight episodic series for the streaming platform, with superproducer Kevin Feige revealing the latest three titles from the D23 stage ("She-Hulk," "Ms. Marvel," and "Moon Knight").

Lucasfilm, Disney's other prized acquisition, followed suit, premiering the trailer for "The Mandalorian," a new show set in the "Star Wars" galaxy that will serve as Disney+'s cornerstone original series when it launches this fall. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy also confirmed that the animated cult favorite "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" will be revived on Disney+ after going off the air in 2014.

Superheroes and Skywalkers aren't the only nostalgic entities getting new life on Disney+. The studio also confirmed rebooted versions of "High School Musical" and "Lizzie McGuire," with the latter featuring Hilary Duff's return to the show that made her a household name in the early 2000's. Viewers will also be able to stream other recognizable characters like Forky, the breakout star of this summer's "Toy Story 4," when the utensil toplines Pixar's new animated series "Forky Asks a Question."

Disney+ will also introduce a new type of content to the studio's slate: original movies distributed exclusively on the streaming platform. Disney's (very successful) strategy of remaking its animated classics will continue with a live-action version of "Lady and the Tramp" that premieres with the platform in November. Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn also used his time on the D23 stage to introduce "Noelle," a holiday comedy starring Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader as Santa Claus's adult children.

So far, the early renderings of Disney's user interface are almost indistinguishable from Netflix's now-iconic landing page. But the platform will take at least one different approach compared to its main rival: According to TVLine, the entertainment giant will reportedly release new episodes of its streaming series weekly, which clearly differs from Netflix's signature full-season drops.

Let the next battle in the Streaming Wars begin.

Share:
More In Business
Impact on Consumers as More Companies Leave Russian Market
Following the invasion of Ukraine, a multitude of Western companies have paused doing business with Russia. PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and Starbucks are the most recent companies to temporarily cease operations in Russia. Dean of Miami Herbert Business School at the University of Miami, John Quelch, joined Cheddar News to discuss what message this sends to Russia and the Russian consumer. “I would not underestimate the collective strength of all of these multinational companies, essentially coming together to make their collective statement in support of the political statements that have come out of Washington," he said.
Amazon Ventures Into Live Audio Space With 'Amp'
Amazon unveiled its new mobile app called Amp as a direct competitor to Clubhouse, allowing people to host live radio shows. Although it is still in beta, users can join the waitlist from the iOS store.
Why U.S. Oil Production Won't Ramp Up Overnight
President Biden announced a ban on Russian oil and natural gas imports to the U.S. in response to its invasion of Ukraine, a move he warned could lead to an even greater surge in gas prices. The ban is prompting a conversation about the current oil production levels in the U.S. and whether or not the industry can ramp up production to soften the blow to American families at the gas pump. Clark Williams-Derry, Energy Finance Analyst with the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, breaks down the state of the U.S. oil industry and how the ban might impact production levels here at home.
What Biden's Ban on Russian Oil Imports Could Mean for Growing Energy Costs
As Russia intensifies its war on Ukraine, President Biden announced a ban on oil imported from the aggressor nation. Critics of Russia have said this would be the best way to force Putin to pull back, but curbs on Russian oil exports are expected to send already skyrocketing oil and gas prices even higher, further impacting consumers, businesses, financial markets, and the global economy. Leslie Beyer, CEO of the Energy Workforce and Technology Council, joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss. "It's certainly going to increase pricing, but it is the right thing to do," she said. "The industry itself has already pulled out of the significant portion of its operations in Russia."
Load More