Disney+ basically will support all the devices at launch

Hooray for Android TV
Hooray for Android TV (Image credit: Disney+)

What you need to know

  • Disney+ will support most of the major devices you'd expect.
  • But Amazon Fire TV (and tablets) isn't mentioned anywhere.
  • Canada and the Netherlands launch on Nov. 12; Australia and New Zealand on Aug. 19.

If you've been on tenterhooks waiting to see if Disney+ will support whatever it is you use to ingest streaming video, take a deep breath. The streaming service today gave word that it'll be available on pretty much every major platform you can think of.

Here's the breakdown:

  • Google-managed devices will include Android phones, Android TV, and Chromecast — both the dongle and Chromecast built in to a TV like Vizio.
  • Apple devices will include the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, as well as Apple TV. And the Disney+ service will have full integration with the new Apple TV app.
  • Xbox One is supported.
  • Desktop web browsers are supported, though it's not stated which browsers/plugins might be required.
  • PlayStation 4 and all Android TV-based Sony TVs will be supported.
  • And Roku streaming players and Roku TVs will have full support.

More: What the Disney+ bundle means for Hulu with Live TV

What's missing? The most blatant omission, of course, is Amazon Fire TV, and Amazon Fire tablets. Could be that they're just not ready yet. Could be more behind-the-scenes wrangling to be done. Could be ... well, we've seen these kinds of wars before, right? Also missing is any mention of smart TVs from Samsung or LG. So stay tuned for that.

Disney+ also confirmed today that its home country of the United States will share the Nov. 12 launch date with Canada and the Netherlands. Pricing will be $8.99 CAD a month (or $89.99 a year), and €6.99 per month (or €69.99 per year). It'll launch Nov. 19 in Australia and New Zealand, with pricing at $8.99AUD a month (or $89.99 a year) and $9.99NZD per month (or $99.99 a year)

Disney+ will feature the entire catalog of Disney movies, as well as serve as the new home for all things Star Wars, Marvel, and so much more.

DISNEY+ SET TO LAUNCH IN THE NETHERLANDS AND CANADA ON NOVEMBER 12th AND AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND NOVEMBER 19TH

GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS IN PLACE TO LAUNCH DISNEY+ ACROSS MOST MAJOR PLATFORMS

BURBANK, CA (August 19, 2019) – The Walt Disney Company's Direct-to-Consumer & International segment confirmed global launch dates and pricing for Disney+ in Canada, The Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand, and announced it has reached global agreements with nearly all the major platforms to distribute the Disney+ app across partner mobile and connected TV devices.

Disney+ will offer fans of all ages a new way to experience the unparalleled content from the company's iconic entertainment brands, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars National Geographic, and more, and will be available on nearly all major mobile and connected TV devices at launch with global distribution agreements in place with Apple, Google, Microsoft, Roku, and Sony.

November 12th marks the beginning of the global rollout of Disney+, with expectations to launch in most major global markets within the first two years. Disney+ will launch in Canada and the Netherlands in tandem with the U.S. on November 12th, priced at $8.99CAD per month (or $89.99 per year) and €6.99 per month (or €69.99 per year), respectively. The following week, Disney+ will launch in Australia and New Zealand on November 19th, priced at $8.99AUD per month (or $89.99 per year) and $9.99NZD per month (or $99.99 per year), respectively.

At launch, consumers will be able to subscribe to Disney+ directly or via in-app purchase and start streaming from the following partner platforms and devices (dependent on country):

  • Apple (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple TV, and fully integrated with the Apple TV app; customers can subscribe to Disney+ via in-app purchase);
  • Google (Android phones, Android TV devices, Google Chromecast and Chromecast built-in devices);
  • Microsoft (Xbox One);
  • Sony / Sony Interactive Entertainment (PlayStation®4 and all Android based Sony TVs);
  • Roku (Roku® streaming players and Roku TV™ models)

Announced earlier this month, on November 12, consumers in the U.S. will get a new and exciting value proposition with a bundled offering of Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu for just $12.99USD. This means they get all of the Disney+ programming plus thousands of live sporting events, sports-themed original series and award-winning sports documentaries from ESPN+; as well as Hulu's award-winning original content and on-demand streaming library.

Phil Nickinson