What you need to know

• Internal documents confirm Disney plans to merge Hulu into Disney+ and eventually shut down the standalone Hulu app.
• While Disney publicly insists it has "no current plans" to sunset Hulu, behind the scenes it is reportedly cutting back development on the Hulu app.
• The company reportedly wants users to access Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, FX, Hulu originals, live TV, and potentially more advanced Hulu features like live channels and DVR in one app.

Disney's been pushing Hulu and Disney+ closer for years. Now, a new report suggests the company is getting ready to make the standalone Hulu app almost unnecessary by merging its experience into Disney+.

Business Insider has obtained internal documents that show Disney is working on a multi-phase internal project called “Project Gemini.” Reportedly, the plan is to integrate Hulu’s content, features, and technology into Disney+, and eventually shut down Hulu’s standalone app once users have migrated over.

This may contradict Disney's recent public statements. The company said this month it had no current plans to sunset the Hulu app. However, the latest report presents a different narrative, suggesting that Disney is reallocating resources to Disney+ and reducing the significant development work on Hulu itself.

The integration has been years in the making

The change has been in the pipeline for some time. Disney started adding Hulu content to Disney+ years ago, enabling bundle subscribers to watch Hulu programming without ever leaving the Disney+ app. More recently, the company announced profile linking, which allows eligible users to sync their watch history, recommendations, and watchlists between the two services.

The pitch to consumers seems to be that rather than hop from service to service, viewers will find Disney originals, Marvel shows, Star Wars content, FX series, Hulu originals, and live TV features all in one place. Apparently, Disney is looking to bring more Hulu-specific features to Disney+, including live channels and DVR functionality.

There’s a business reason for the strategy, too. Having two different streaming services means two different technology stacks, two different teams, and two different user experiences to support them. Bringing those systems together could reduce costs, boost discovery of content, and keep subscribers on the site longer.

For Hulu subscribers, there’s nothing to do just now. The app is still there, and Disney is still selling Hulu subscriptions. But the recent rollout of profile-linking tools at Disney makes it clear the company wants users to start bringing their Hulu watching history and preferences into Disney+ now.

Android Central's Take

For users already deep into the Disney ecosystem, Disney+ and Hulu, live TV, and possibly even theme park bookings and shopping all under one roof could make life a whole lot easier. It’s difficult to argue with fewer apps, more streamlined recommendations, and a single account experience. That said, Disney’s insistence that Hulu isn’t going anywhere while reports keep suggesting otherwise feels a bit like watching the company slowly pack Hulu’s boxes while insisting it hasn’t decided if it’s moving out. If the goal is to make the experience better, users will probably go along with it — but Disney might want to stop pretending the destination isn’t already mapped out.

What you need to know

• Chasing engagement, Disney Plus is ready to debut its short-form content feature: Verts.
• Verts will display clips from shows and movies relevant to your tastes, giving users the choice to save the clip for later or to hop into that show/movie immediately.
• Disney Plus says it plans to expand Verts with more offerings, such as content from other creators, content types, and more.

Disney Plus is rolling out a new feature that U.S. users will notice very soon when opening the app on their phones.

Disney Plus is getting on the scrollable, short-form video train, as the platform announces "Verts." As you might surmise from the name, Verts are Disney Plus' new vertical, short-form video content that will be present on the UI's toolbar at the bottom of the app. The press release states users can tap on Verts and immediately drop into "a vertical video feed and can swipe through a stream of scenes and moments from movies and shows."

Disney states the inclusion of Verts is to help users find "what to watch next" a little easier than before. It also highlights this "modern" approach to showcasing content, which just follows along the lines of many other platforms with vertical, short-form content. When watching a Vert, Disney Plus users can either save the video to watch later or they can begin watching the full version (whether that be a movie or a show).

The company adds that Verts utilizes an "advanced algorithm" in its recommendation engine. In short, the service will try to make sure what it's showing you in Verts remains relevant and "personalized" in some way. While Verts are launching this week, Disney Plus sees this feature playing a "key role" moving forward. Verts will primarily cover Disney's entertainment; however, there are plans to add content creators, content types, and "other" storytelling formats.

Engagement is everything

It's been roughly two months since we first heard that Disney Plus wanted to go the short-form video route. The company reportedly announced its ambitions during CES 2026. A Disney executive present during the conference said that its take on short-form content shouldn't feel "disjointed." More importantly, there was interest expressed in showing users "original short-form programming" through Verts.

For context, these were the words delivered by Disney Entertainment and ESPN's EVP of product management, Erin Teague. The ESPN part is important, as the sports-focused service introduced Verts months ago. They work the same way: showing users short-form content on sports they likely watch and read about on ESPN. Disney Plus users are getting a new feature, but they were also faced with a price hike before 2025 ended.

Android Central's Take

Verts are a strange one for me. Let me preface what I'm going to say by saying that I rarely interact with Verts on ESPN. These are often "vertical videos" that are just clipped from a sports show or SportsCenter. It doesn't work well with the vertical aspect, since SportsCenter is on a TV—it's wide for a TV. That aside, I think Verts could be good every once in a while when I'm not caught up with what Disney Plus is coming out with. But I usually keep myself informed since I watch it; I watch the shows, the movies, so I probably won't want to sit through more "clips" or trailers again.

What you need to know

• Disney reportedly announced during CES 2026 that it plans to introduce short-form, vertical videos to its service.
• A Disney exec stated that these videos shouldn't feel "disjointed" and would likely contain "original short-form programming" among other things.
• The latest happenings surrounding Disney Plus that impacted viewers were its price hikes, which went into effect on October 21.

During CES 2026, Disney Plus announced its plans to use vertical videos to turn itself into a daily "must-visit" destination.

A report by Deadline highlights the announcement this week in which Disney Plus stated it is interested in bringing vertical videos to its service. An interview with Disney Entertainment and ESPN's EVP of product management, Erin Teague, said, "everything’s on the table" regarding these vertical videos. The original announcement said that these videos would be used to "explore" its uses across "categories, and content types, for a personalized and dynamic feed."

Disney might even look to throw in news and other entertainment tidbits throughout the day.

On a technical level, Teague said Disney is still in its early stages, as it looks to implement vertical videos in a way that doesn't feel "disjointed." However, for the user, Deadline highlights that these vertical videos could contain original short-form programming, repurposed social clips, refashioned scenes from longer-form episodic or feature titles," and more.

These videos would try and have their own backbone and not just be a "teaser" for Disney Plus' "long-form" content, such as movies and shows.

Getting in on the short-form

According to the report, one of the catalysts behind Disney's interest in vertical videos is its Gen Z and Gen Alpha users. Teague adds that, "This is what Gen Z and Gen Alpha are expecting. They are not necessarily thinking about sitting down, watching a long-form, two-and-a-half hour piece of content on their phones." More than that, Teague's response gives the impression that Disney Plus is caught in this whirlwind of engagement from other platforms with short-form, vertical videos.

You can think YouTube Shorts, Reels on Instagram, and even "Verts" on ESPN, which the publication makes note of. We shouldn't expect these vertical videos on Disney Plus anytime soon, as the company hashes out the finer details.

Aside from bringing in Hulu content more prominently on Disney Plus, vertical videos are probably the largest content shift users can expect on the service. Besides that, the card we were dealt back in September was a price hike (again) for its standalone and bundled plans. October 21 is when the price hikes went live for its basic with ads plan and its Premium variant. Prices hopped up by $2 to $3.

Even the Disney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max bundles rose from $16.99 to $19.99 per month.

What you need to know

• A Disney Plus "Price and Plans" support document details the upcoming price increase for several standalone plans and bundles on October 21.
• Both of Disney Plus' standalone plans will go up by $2 to $3, as well as its Hulu/HBO Max bundles.
• The service is raising most of its Hulu/ESPN bundles, as well.

Disney Plus is preparing to hike up its prices, a song and dance consumers have been through time and time again.

The service started updating its Price and Plans support page this week, per 9to5Google, informing consumers about the looming price hike. All price hikes are said to go into effect on October 21. Both of the standalone Disney Plus plans are going up, moving from $9.99 to $11.99 for its basic with ads plans and $15.99 to $18.99 for its Premium (no ads) version.

When we get to the Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO Max bundles, those are set to go up, too. The support page states that the bundle with ads, currently for $16.99 a month, will rise to $19.99 per month on October 21. This hike extends to the no-ads version, going from $29.99 per month to $32.99.

The final major bundle, the one with Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN, isn't getting a price hike everywhere, but there are still changes consumers should know. Disney isn't increasing the monthly charge for its "Disney Plus, Hulu Bundle Premium," "Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle," or the "Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle Premium."

Price hikes will fall into the following bundles:

• Disney Plus, Hulu Bundle (with ads): $10.99 to $12.99
• Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle (with ads): $16.99 to $19.99
• Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle Premium (no ads): $26.99 to $29.99
• Disney Plus Premium, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle Legacy (no ads on Disney): $21.99 to $24.99

Oh, yet again...

The publication shed some light on a report by The Verge regarding this Disney Plus price hike. The post highlights Marisa Kaba (journalist) on Bluesky, who had an alleged inside scoop about this, and it seems the recent removal of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which has since returned to ABC, caused the service to drop subscribers at an incredible rate. Moreover, Kaba reports that Disney and ABC moved to quickly bring the late-night show back because of this planned price hike.

Kaba adds, "With subscriptions hemorrhaging since last week, they couldn’t risk losing more users with this announcement."

Unfortunately, this isn't the first time Disney Plus subscribers have gone through this price hike scenario, and it's all feeling like a time loop by this point. The service raised prices in December 2022 for its Premium plans, Legacy bundles, and other Hulu, ESPN bundles. Fast-forward to 2023 and the service raised prices—again—for its bundles and other ad-free plans.

The only thing consistent, other than the fact that the past few years have had price hikes, is that Disney tends to do them late in the year, between October and December. While these hikes have been confirmed on its support page, the service is sure to begin emailing users or informing you in the app about how the hikes will affect your specific plan.

What you need to know

• Disney Plus is trying to build interest for Andor Season 2, but it's doing so on YouTube in a way that's not just an ad run.
• The first three episodes of Andor Season 1 are available on YouTube for viewers to watch, alongside a Season 1 recap.
• Andor Season 2 will premier on Disney Plus on April 22.

Disney makes an interesting move to get more people excited about the second season of Andor.

As spotted by The Verge, Disney Plus' original Star Wars show, Andor, has headed for YouTube to promote its upcoming second season. Instead of running what you'd expect: ads, the company is looking to grab the viewer's attention by dropping some of the first season on the platform — for free.

Disney started posting the videos on YouTube yesterday (Mar 10). All of the content is there, with the episodes running 39 mins, 35 mins, and 40 mins, respectively, for the first three. The streaming service has also created a neat playlist for users who'd like to binge these episodes for a little while.

What's more, if Disney has captivated you enough to head over to its platform and watch the rest (or Hulu as the post notes), there is a Season 1 recap video available. This video runs for roughly 15 minutes and hits you with everything you should keep in mind before the next run begins.

The publication highlights Andor's creator, Tony Gilroy, is preparing to host an hour-long "rewatch event" on YouTube on March 13.

Andor Season 2 will begin on April 22 on Disney Plus.

There's no getting around the fact that Disney Plus started enforcing its paid sharing program in the U.S. last September. Similar to what we've seen others do (Netflix), Disney Plus is letting subscribers add an "extra member" to their household account. Those with the Basic Plan can do so for an extra $6.99. Others who've purchased the Premium variant will see an additional $9.99 charge.

These were all things talked about prior, but Disney's CEO Bob Iger confirmed its arrival last spring. To quote Iger, he stated a couple of years back that he wanted "Disney Plus to become a growth business for Disney and that effort appears to be starting with new password-sharing initiatives."

Meanwhile, March is packed with new things coming to Disney Plus, like the resurgence of a popular Marvel character through Daredevil: Born Again. The show kicked off on March 4 with a two-episode season premier and continues today (Mar 11) with episode three. Moana 2 is set for its streaming debut on March 12 alongside even more content for Hulu and ESPN Plus subscribers.

What you need to know

• Reports indicate that Chick-Fil-A, the fast-food chain known for its chicken sandwiches, is breaking into entertainment "aggressively."
• The company is reportedly working with major production companies to create new shows, acquire the rights to existing content, and host the media on its own streaming service.
• It might seem odd that Chick-Fil-A is starting its own streaming service, but it's hardly the first non-tech company to enter the technology industry.

Many years ago, cable and satellite TV customers flocked to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, leaving their set-top boxes and expensive contracts behind. For a time, the streaming landscape was indeed better than cable. That isn't true anymore, because the streaming market has been flooded with too many options and anti-consumer media licensing battles. 

If you're tired of streaming services, be prepared to start seeing a brand new one: Chick-Fil-A wants you to get your fast-food fill and your original video content from the same company. 

Deadline reported last week that Chick-Fil-A is trying to shore up original content ahead of the launch of its rumored streaming service. The fast food chain is reportedly working with multiple major production companies and studios to develop unscripted, game-show-style TV shows. 

While much of the content is said to be unscripted, some scripted content could be in the works. Deadline also says that Chick-Fil-A is having conversations about licensing and acquiring the rights to existing content, which would then be hosted on this new streaming service. Specifically, the outlet says that a family-friendly gameshow has already received a ten-episode order from Chick-Fil-A. 

It might seem surprising that Chick-Fil-A is breaking into the video streaming market, but who isn't these days? We've already seen shows from Lyft, Airbnb, and others. While fast food chains haven't been known to foray into streaming services, they're exploring the technology industry as much as any other company. Mobile ordering, data collection, and automation have been hot topics in the fast food industry in recent years. 

The real question to ask is this one: do we really need a Chick-Fil-A streaming service? For 99% of people, I suspect the answer is decidedly no. We already have too many streaming services, and the content many of us enjoy is already scattered across multiple video platforms. In fact, I'd reason that there are many more people laughing about this development from Chick-Fil-A than there are excited about it. 

It's no joke when companies with barely any tech experience jump into the industry. It can lead to serious problems, and we've already seen some of those issues pop up.

We're already seeing the consequences of companies trying tech on a whim

For starters, the amount of bandwidth and servers needed to service a video streaming platform is more than you'd expect unless you've tried to do it. It's likely that Chick-Fil-A is underestimating the technical infrastructure required to host a streaming service, even if it's outsourcing most of it. Plus, all the investments Deadline is reporting now are being made for original content and licensing deals, not the service itself. 

The more concerning thing to me is the security of Chick-Fil-A's platform. Historically, companies that aren't tech-first tend to leave user data vulnerable to hackers and data breaches. For example, in early 2024, McDonald's suffered a major data breach that leaked customer and employee names, emails, internal tools, and bank logs, according to The Cyber Express. While Chick-Fil-A already stores user data related to its mobile app, a streaming service increases the likelihood that credit card and payment information will be saved and is potentially at risk. 

No company is immune from data breaches. However, when you trust a company like Apple or Google with your personal data, you know they've been doing this for decades and will take measures to protect your information. You might share data with the Apples and Googles of the world that you wouldn't with a startup. 

The problem with Chick-Fil-A, and companies like it, entering the tech space is simple. You trust the brand and are familiar with it because you've seen it before or you've been a customer, but in reality, Chick-Fil-A is no better than a startup in the tech space. The experience of making fast food doesn't transfer to hosting user accounts, credit card information, or video streaming. 

Disney+ introduced a whole new cause for concern, too. Disney originally tried to have a wrongful death lawsuit tossed out of court because the plaintiff signed up for a Disney+ free trial and agreed to an arbitration clause. The company argued that this clause applied to Disney Springs restaurants completely unrelated to Disney+. As the Associated Press reports, Disney backed down in response to public pressure. But it leaves us wondering: would it have worked? By agreeing to terms and conditions for a Chick-Fil-A streaming service, could those be used against us while eating a chicken sandwich?

We have no idea how Chick-Fil-A would operate a streaming service. I've brought up prior examples of what can happen when you trust a company without major experience in tech with your data, and these are worth considering. The next time a trusted brand throws their hat in the ring when it comes to technology, think twice before you trust it. 

This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape. 

This week, Disney rolls out Hulu content, Pixel 9 could get three variants for the first time, S24 gets a surprise update, Vivo launches new foldables, and Pixel 8 finally gets Gemini Nano.

Disney Plus made some big moves

Read more here.

Earlier this week (Mar.27), Disney Plus announced that Bundle subscribers in the U.S. will now get access to Hulu's content on the platform. This merger makes it seamless for users to watch all their content in one app rather than switching back and forth. If users aren't subscribed to the bundle, they can find Hulu's content available via "upsell options" across multiple devices at an added $2 monthly.

Disney Plus also wanted to make the merger visually evident, so it's launching a new campaign, starting off with a new logo. The company states the rollout will include a new Disney Plus intro color palette that mixes Hulu's green with the legacy blue.

Joe Earley, president of direct-to-consumer at Disney Entertainment, said, "[the] official launch of Hulu on Disney+ gives viewers even more opportunities to easily discover and enjoy thousands of titles all in one place, underscoring the extraordinary value of the Disney Bundle."

Three Pixel 9 models?

Read more here.

Google could launch the Pixel 9 series with three variants—Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL—a first for Google. 

A recent leak revealed renderings of the alleged true base Pixel 9 device. The leaks suggest that the Pixel 9 will sport a smaller 6.03-inch display, with 152.8 x 71.9 x 8.5mm dimensions and a potential 12mm bump due to its camera placement.

The upcoming series could showcase a horizontal camera array for a pill-shaped look, similar to the Pixel Fold, and will arrive with two cameras like its previous model. The post adds the Pixel 9 may offer a completely flat display with four rounded corners around its frame. 

There's more: in January, a batch of images leaked and were touted as the base Pixel 9, but information now suggests that it was the Pixel 9 Pro with a 6.1-inch flat display. At the same time, some more images of the device leaked, but OnLeaks claims that those were of a third model: the "Pixel 9 Pro XL," and not the Pro model.

Surprise, surprise! Some S24 users get a new update

Read more here.

The April update rolled out earlier than usual on March 27 for Galaxy S24 users. It brings security patches and bug fixes, including fixes for some of the Galaxy S24 series' persistent camera issues. 

Android Central confirmed that the U.S. version of the April 2024 update brings Instant Slow-Mo support to videos with a 480x480 resolution, as noted in international versions of the update. That said, confirmation of other camera improvements was not specifically mentioned in the changelog.

The 818MB update vaguely mentions improved stability, reliability, and security with the April patch.

To check if your Samsung Galaxy S24 smartphone has received the over-the-air April 2024 security patch, open the settings app and navigate to the software update page. If it appears, start downloading the update — which can range from about 600MB to 900MB, depending on your region. After the update downloads, follow the on-screen prompts to install it on your device. 

Vivo's latest foldables are here

Read more here.

Vivo launched its latest foldables in China this week, the X Fold 3 and X Fold 3 Pro. Both foldables have the same 6.53-inch outer panel and 8.03-inch inner panel. The devices have 120Hz AMOLED screens on the inside and out. The X Fold 3 is the thinnest foldable around, thanks to its 4.65mm profile when unfolded and weighing only 219g—making it the thinnest foldable in the market. The X Fold 3 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and it has a trio of 50MP cameras at the back, with 80W charging tech.

The X Fold 3 Pro is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and features Vivo's custom V3 imaging module. It has an OmniVision 50MP main camera, a 50MP wide-angle lens, and a 64MP telephoto lens with OIS.

It still remains unclear when these phones will make a global debut.  Vivo hasn't detailed an international rollout just yet, but we should have more details over the next few weeks.

Pixel 8 users can breathe A(I) sigh of relief

Read more here.

Google announced that Gemini Nano will be available to Pixel 8 users as a developer preview in the next Pixel Feature Drop. This new update brings two handy features: Summarize in Recorder and Smart Reply in Gboard. Google initially stated that Gemini Nano won't be available for the regular Pixel 8; however, they've had a change of heart.

Following numerous requests from users and developers ever since the Pixel 8 Pro became the pioneer smartphone to receive Gemini Nano last year, they wanted to give users and developers a chance to experiment with Gemini Nano in hopes of gathering feedback.

If you own a Pixel 8 or 8 Pro, the next update will include two new features: the auto-summarization feature in the Recorder app and the Smart Reply feature in Gboard.

Those were some of the biggest stories this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• Google explains the Pixel 8's seven years of software updates
• Chromebooks are about to change in a massive way
• The Meta Quest 3 is more powerful than we originally thought
• I'm never wearing a smartwatch to sleep again
• Samsung brings back a battery feature it previously removed
• The 3-2-1 backup rule is broken — here's how I safeguard my data
• Three Google Map updates to help you prep for your next vacation
• Shopping gets seamless as Google rolls out new tools
• Humane's new AI Pin to work with Google Photos and Contacts
• YouTube's latest experiment lets you jump to the best part of a video

What you need to know

• Disney's crackdown on password-sharing, now a reality, will begin in Canada as of November 1.
• The company sent an email to the streaming service's Canadian subscribers on Wednesday.
• Disney CEO Bob Iger announced these plans last month, echoing Netflix's success with a similar restriction, as the company seeks new ways to further monetization.

Last month, Disney announced plans to introduce a password-sharing crackdown for its streaming service, following in Netflix’s footsteps. Now, it looks like those plans are coming to fruition — at least in Canada.

The company reportedly sent an email to its Canadian subscribers on Wednesday detailing the new account-sharing rules (via The Verge). According to the new policy, Disney will begin charging extra fees for password-sharing with people outside of your household starting on November 1.

“We’re implementing restrictions on your ability to share your account or login credentials outside of your household,” the email reads, according to The Verge.

Apparently, as further noted by the folks at Mobile Syrup, new terms are being added to Canadian subscriber agreements in the form of a dedicated account-sharing section, which will coincide with the launch of the new policy.

“Unless otherwise permitted by your Service Tier, you may not share your subscription outside of your household,” the terms read, noting that Disney will analyze your account to determine if you’re complying with the new rules. “If we determine that you have violated this Agreement, we may limit or terminate access to the Service and/or take any other steps as permitted by this Agreement.”

Disney CEO Bob Iger warned about the impending crackdown on password-sharing during last month’s Q3 earnings call, where he said the company was exploring ways of addressing sharing accounts. He noted that Disney now had the “technical capability” to monitor user sign-ins, which makes such a restriction possible. As we know, it’s not the first streaming service to put its foot down on sharing passwords outside of your household, as Netflix started charging for extra users on your account earlier this year. 

Though Netflix’s restriction was considered widely unpopular among users, it proved to be a good move for the company in terms of revenue growth. So, it’s no surprise that Disney wants to follow suit as the company seeks out new ways to further monetization.

We still have more to learn about Disney's password-sharing crackdown and what it means for subscribers. For now, Disney+ users may find solace in a new ad-supported bundle, combining its services with Hulu.

What you need to know

• Disney is raising prices on the ad-free plans for both Disney Plus and Hulu, starting October 12th.
• Once the change goes into effect, Disney Plus' ad-free plan will cost $13.99/month, while Hulu will increase to $17.99/month.
• The two carriers' ad-supported plans will remain the same price. 
• A new bundle plan that includes both ad-free Hulu and Disney Plus will launch on September 6th and cost $19.99/month

It's been a rough day for Disney fans. On the same day that we reported on Disney's crackdown on password sharing, we learned that the Walt Disney Company will also be increasing prices for both Hulu and Disney Plus' ad-free plans, starting October 12th.

This hike will cause the monthly price of Disney Plus' ad-free plan to jump from $10.99 to $13.99, while Hulu's equivalent plan will increase from $14.99 to $17.99. The price of the popular Trio Premium bundle, which includes Disney Plus (no ads), Hulu (no ads), and ESPN Plus (with ads), is also increasing to $24.99 per month. 

If this price hike is giving you déjà vu, it's probably because a very similar rate increase was announced by the company this time last year. YouTube TV, Paramount Plus, Peacock, Spotify, and others have also announced price hikes in recent months, leaving many of us to wonder what the future of affordable streaming may look like.

On the bright side, the ad-supported plans will stay the same price for both Disney Plus and Hulu, and ESPN Plus subscribers won't see any change to their monthly bill. 

Disney also announced the launch of a new bundle plan that will give you ad-free access to both Disney Plus and Hulu for $19.99. That "Duo Premium" plan will be available to subscribers starting September 6th. 

• Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

If you're sick of the price hikes and want to explore some new content libraries, check out our list of streaming services with free trials.

What you need to know

• Disney+ launched its Basic tier with ads as it raises prices for other tiers.
• Disney+ Basic is not supported on Roku devices, forcing viewers to either switch streaming devices or hop up a tier to the $10.99 premium level.
• While Disney informs users of this fact through a help page, this could be due to Roku's ad revenue split that it demands from streaming services.

Disney+ has finally launched its new ad-supported tier, but an issue with the plan has cropped up for Roku viewers.

Users trying to access Disney's latest ad-supported streaming on a Roku device will be unable to due to lack to support. As a result, Roku users looking to watch Displey+ content will have to settle for the more expensive option. Disney's new Basic tier costs $7.99 for U.S. viewers, while the Premium tier (without ads) gets bumped up to $10.99.

Disney has apparently confirmed on its own that its new ad-supported tier will not be supported on Roku (via TechCrunch) for now. A help page informs users that the Basic plan is not supported on Roku devices while also not being available to those watching from the Windows desktop app.

Although, it appears as though Disney is looking to bring support for the ad tier to Roku watchers as it engages in talks with the streaming company. It's being speculated that this is due to a dispute regarding Roku's ad revenue split.

The Disney+ launch of its new ad-supported plan became available on December 8. We've been expecting this for quite a while, ever since Disney detailed the plan in direct competition with Netflix, which also rollout out its own ad-supported plan in November.

Disney states it has over 100 advertisers spanning multiple major categories at launch to try and grab user attention. Users can bundle this ad-supported plan with Hulu for $9.99 a month or with Hulu and ESPN+ for $12.99 a month.

With the Disney+ Basic plan now in our hands, the tier will still provide users with the complete library of content and other features that premium members benefit from. Basic plan owners can create up to seven profiles on their account along with concurrent viewing for watching Disney+ on multiple devices and high-quality videos.

This is a bit of a difference from Netflix, which launched its cheaper plan with a limit on the amount of content its viewers can access and enjoy.

Disney Plus has continued to get more and more expensive. Between cracking down on password sharing just like Netflix and hiking prices continually, you might be looking to cancel your Disney+ subscription. After all, adding an "Extra Member" to share your account with now costs an extra $6.99 for Disney Plus Basic members and a whopping $9.99 for Premium subscribers.

Sure, Disney Plus is the only app that gives you access to classic Disney films, Star Wars, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but that may not be enough for some folks to stick around. If you're sick of all the changes and ready to say sayonara to the Disney-owned streaming service, we can tell you exactly how you can jump ship.

• Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+ 

How to cancel Disney Plus on desktop

Whether you're dodging the price increase or simply tired of the streaming service's content, this is how you can cancel Disney Plus today: 

1. Using a computer or mobile browser, navigate to the Disney Plus website.

1. Login to your Disney Plus account

1. Select your Profile.

1. Under profile, select Account.

1. Under Subscription, select your Disney Plus subscription.

1. Select Cancel Subscription. You will be prompted to share your reason for cancelling, fill out the survey (optional) and complete cancellation.

It's worth pointing out that if you signed up for Disney Plus through a third party, you'd need to cancel your subscription via the third-party service. For example, if you subscribe to the Disney Bundle via Hulu, you'll be asked to "Manage on Hulu." You can also get started by navigating to the third party's help center or contacting them to learn more.

If applicable, canceling your Disney Plus subscription will not delete your Disney Plus account or the Disney account you use for other products and experiences from The Walt Disney Company.

How to cancel Disney Plus on mobile

Canceling Disney Plus via mobile app

You can also cancel your Disney Plus account via the Disney Plus mobile app. Here are the steps you need to take to cancel your Disney Plus subscription through the Disney Plus app.

1. Open the Disney Plus app and log in to your account.
2. Select your profile.
3. Once on the main page, select your profile icon in the bottom-right corner.
4. Select Account.
5. Select your current Subscription to manage preferences.
6. Choose Cancel Subscription.

As with canceling via web browser, if you subscribe to Disney Plus via a third-party service, the Disney Plus app will redirect you so that you can manage your subscription through the third-party service.

If you're not totally sure about cancelling your account just yet, you can see how Disney Plus fares against the competition in our comprehensive Disney Plus pricing guide. 

Disney Plus is one of the top choices when considering a streaming service. You can choose from one of the best animated movies or a good Star Wars movie. With so many series and movies, you might spend more time browsing than watching something. You can choose from various studios, such as Marvel and Pixar.

If you're used to watching series with ads, you can start with the Disney Plus Basic plan, which costs $9.99 monthly. But there are other plans, so let's discover your options.

• Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

Should you sign up for Disney Plus?

What is Disney Plus?

Disney Plus is a streaming service that combines all of the content in Disney's massive media empire — from Disney and Pixar to Marvel, Lucasfilm, and National Geographic to 20th Century Fox — in one easy-to-use app. Available on nearly every central platform and with hundreds of films and TV shows from the Disney Vault and recent theatrical releases, Disney Plus is a compelling realization of a dream many Disney nerds (like myself) have had of being able to watch their favorite shows and films in one place rather than having to hunt for them across a half dozen services — and this is also the first time a great deal of legacy Disney television content is available for streaming. In short, Disney Plus is simply everything we ever wished it would be, with Disney adding new content regularly to keep you entertained.

Anything and everything that falls under the Disney umbrella, which is quite a big one, will ultimately go through the Disney Plus app on whatever platform you wish to watch it on. If that sounds impossibly big, well, you're right. Signing up for Disney Plus is easy and gives you the information you need to choose the right plan. Unfortunately, as it stands right now, there is no Disney Plus free trial available, but the low monthly cost makes it cheap to sign up and try it out.

What countries is Disney Plus available in?

Disney Plus is available in many countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Europe, including (but not limited to):

What devices support Disney Plus?

Disney Plus was available on several devices, and the list of devices on which you can watch it grows over time. So whether you're using a phone, laptop, TV, or gaming console built in the last five to six years, chances are Disney Plus is available.

iOS and Android devices

Disney Plus is available on nearly all the best Android phones, tablets, and Apple devices. If you're on the go often, watching Disney Plus on a phone or tablet rather than on a smart TV or laptop is very convenient since you can download videos for offline playback. You can do this on up to 10 devices per Disney Plus account, meaning everyone on the plan can keep a few videos downloaded in case of emergencies like being trapped on a Wi-Fi-less flight. Nevertheless, you can only download content with a Disney Plus Premium plan and other bundles. You won't be able to download if you have the entry-level Disney+ Basic plan with ads.

Desktop and laptop computers

Like all modern streaming services, Disney Plus lets you stream directly from Disneyplus.com on Windows, macOS, Chromebooks, and even Linux computers. However, you can't download videos for offline playback when streaming through the browser (unless you're using a Chromebook), but you have some handy keyboard controls. You can enjoy everything Disney+ offers using the Progressive Web App (PWA) on all Windows devices.

Xbox, PlayStation, and streaming consoles

Naturally, you want to enjoy the content on a big screen with friends and family, so TVs and gaming consoles are supported now. Support for most Android TVs, Roku devices, Google Chromecast, Apple TV, and Fire TV devices has been here since launch. Yet, it's worth pointing out that a handful of Roku devices don't support Disney Plus. These devices are the Roku LT model (2400X & 2450X), Roku HD model 2500X, Roku 2 XS model 3100X, Roku 2 HD models (3000X & 3050X), and select Roku Streaming Stick models (3400X & 3420X). Disney Plus does list the supported Roku models, so you can check if your device is listed.

The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles and last-gen devices like the PS4 and Xbox One are supported on the gaming console side. I believe gaming consoles are the best for watching Disney Plus because you can use your controller triggers to fast-forward and rewind more efficiently than the on-screen controls. Watching on your console also lets you return to gaming when you're done.

No mobile consoles are currently supported on the mobile console side of the equation, although Disney has hinted at bringing Disney Plus to Nintendo Switch. However, we have no concrete timeline for when or if it could launch on Switch.

You can watch Disney Plus via HDMI and AirPlay connectivity if you don't mind the setup. For example, you could connect your laptop to a TV or wirelessly cast content from your Apple mobile device to an AirPlay-enabled big screen or media streaming device.

Smart TVs

Of course, most Smart TVs currently have Disney Plus apps, including Android TV-supported smart TVs from Sharp, AQUOS, and Sony Bravia; LG Smart TVs running WebOS 3.0 and above; Samsung Tizen Smart TVs (2016 models or newer); Hisense smart TVs; and Vizio SmartCast TV models released in 2016 and later.

Which devices support Disney Plus in 4K?

There is a lot of content on Disney Plus that you can watch in HD. The list of titles available in glorious 4K UHD (Ultra High Definition) continues to grow. To stream this content, you'll need a 4K Ultra HD or HDR device, TV, or display, and a high-speed internet connection of at least 25MB. Luckily, there are tons of streaming devices that support 4K entertainment. You can enjoy 4K on a Disney Plus Basic plan if you have a compatible device and the content you want to watch is available in that format.

What are the Disney Plus plans?

Currently, there are two main Disney Plus plans: Basic and Premium. The Basic plan has limited ads and costs $9.99 monthly, while the ad-free Premium plan costs $15.99 monthly (or $159.99 annually). In addition to enjoying your favorite content without ads, you can also download some on a maximum of 10 devices.

The Disney Bundle

You can also get Disney Plus as a Bundle, and it's a popular option for subscribers. It gives you instant access to Disney Plus, Hulu, and even ESPN Plus for one discounted monthly rate. Disney Plus now offers three different versions of the bundle, allowing you to customize your entertainment a bit.

• Disney Bundle Duo Basic: $10.99/month for Disney Plus (with ads) and Hulu (with ads)
• Disney Bundle Duo Premium: $19.99/month for Disney Plus (no ads) and Hulu (no ads)
• Disney Bundle Trio Basic: $16.99/month for Disney Plus (with ads), Hulu (with ads), and ESPN Plus (with ads)
• Disney Bundle Trio Premium: $26.99/month for Disney Plus (no ads), Hulu (no ads), and ESPN Plus (with ads, plus the option to download content to watch offline.

These options may seem strange if you've been enjoying the Legacy Disney Bundle for a while. For $21.99 monthly, you will retain your access to Disney Plus (no ads), Hulu (with ads), and ESPN Plus (with ads). Disney has confirmed that the plan is no longer available for new subscribers, and existing ones cannot switch to it. But if you already have it, it will honor the price.

What shows and movies are on Disney Plus?

The Disney vault goes back decades and offers its users a vast variety of content. While the Disney Vault strategy was starting to decay in the digital age, Disney Plus now offers content from Marvel, Lucasfilm, Fox, and National Geographic. Disney Plus has over 500 films and over 15,000 TV episodes, including most Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars films, alongside hit original series like The Mandalorian and the Marvel show Echo.

While Disney Plus still has room to improve when grouping content in categories for easy binge watching, you'll find loyal collection tabs for franchises like Cinderella, Aladdin, 101 Dalmatians, and more under the Disney section. Meanwhile, the Marvel section of the platform groups existing films under the five current phases of the MCU. You'll also find a tab with every movie in the MCU listed in Timeline Order. There is also a tab for Pixar and Star Wars movies.

The Disney Plus library outside of the US

The content available to you will depend on where you live. For instance, French law forbids theatrically released films from being put on a streaming service in that country for nine months, so don't expect to see brand new MCU movies on Disney Plus in France until then.

So far, however, the differences between the available content in the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands have been small, mainly because a few more of the recent Marvel and Disney films are currently unavailable.

Disney also began rolling out the new Star section of the Disney Plus app in countries where Hulu is unavailable. The Star brand page on Disney Plus features movies and TV shows from Disney Television Studios, FX Productions, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures. It is accessible to subscribers in Australia, Austria, Canada, Europe, Germany, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, the UK, and more.

The Disney Plus bundle: ESPN Plus

Disney Plus is one of the major streaming services out there, but there are others you can enjoy. It's also just one part of the puzzle. The various Disney Plus Bundle tiers allow you to subscribe to Disney Plus, ESPN Plus, and Hulu for one simple monthly payment.

If you love sports, consider getting an ESPN subscription if you don't want to miss out on important events. It runs on the same underlying platform as Disney Plus, so you'll know how things work.

And as for the content, well. If you thought there were a lot of sports on TV, wait until you get a look at ESPN Plus. Yes, it's got live sports. All kinds of live sports. It's got college football games that you can't find on TV. It's got a tremendous amount of college basketball. It's got a smattering of NHL. It has boxing and UFC, but you must have ESPN Plus if you want to watch pay-per-view UFC events.

The Disney Plus bundle: Hulu

The third arm of the trifecta is Hulu, which Disney also controls. It's where you'll find all the on-demand content you've come to know. In addition, Hulu is where much content planned initially for Disney Plus ends up, as Disney tries to keep Disney Plus to more family-friendly fare. You'll always see the content coming down the pipeline with the bundle.

Perhaps more important for Disney's purposes is Hulu with Live TV, which, as the name implies, offers live (and local) television alongside all that other content. You can now get the Disney Plus bundle with Hulu + Live TV, which allows you to watch current Disney Channel shows — and tons more channels — along with legacy shows and older seasons on Disney Plus.

Disney has launched the Hulu on Disney Plus app to provide faster access to content from the two streaming services. However, you can also use it as a standalone app.

Parental controls, profiles, and account limits

Since Disney Plus allows up to seven user profiles on a single account — and up to four users streams at a time — it's only natural that Disney Plus accounts are meant to be shared amongst family. However, when the kids misbehave or a friend is "forgetting" to give their share, you have no choice but to change your Disney Plus password and keep them out!

Disney Plus is geared toward families and kids, and parental controls on Disney Plus are pretty straightforward. You can make changes and only allow content with a specific rating. Unfortunately, Disney's content filter works based on the MPAA and U.S. television rating systems rather than age-based restrictions. So you'll have to decide if you want your child to see only G/TV-G content or allow TV-Y7 and TV-Y7/FV.

Disney Plus Deals

One popular choice is the Legacy Disney Bundle. If you choose this option, you get Disney Plus with no ads, ESPN Plus with ads, and ad-supported Hulu for one payment starting at $21.99 monthly. It gets a little complicated, but the short version is that if you have separate accounts on each of the three services, you can link them together in a virtual bundle via a single email address. For existing Hulu and ESPN Plus subscribers, when you upgrade to the Disney Bundle, the first charge will be prorated based on the existing Hulu subscription cost; the same applies to ESPN Plus.

Get six free months of Disney Plus from Verizon

Verizon Wireless offers a free Disney Plus bundle subscription to customers who sign up, switch, or upgrade to the Unlimited Plus plan for as long as they stick with it.

How does Disney Plus stack up to the competition?

Disney Plus can easily compete with other worthy streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The content available on Disney Plus is quite remarkable. The pricing is even more so, with the Disney Bundle costing less than a Netflix Premium subscription. This has made it easy for many to switch to Disney's offerings.

However, comparing Max to Disney Plus may get a little more complicated. The ad-free Max plan costs $16.99/month, the same price as the Disney Bundle Trio Basic. It has content for all Disney fans that'll keep them watching for hours. Instead of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you'll get titles like The Batman and Justice League, not to mention Studio Ghibli films and popular series like Friends, The Last of Us, and Game of Thrones. Now that Max (formerly HBO Max) has merged with Discovery Plus, you'll find even more content from networks like TLC, HGTV, the Food Network, and CNN. So, if you need content to keep your kids entertained, you'll find it on Disney Plus.

When comparing Disney Plus vs. Amazon Prime, it's helpful to know that Prime Video is made available as part of Amazon's Prime subscription, which costs $14.99 a month or $139 for the year and also gives you access to free shipping and cloud storage, among other perks. While you can opt for a standalone Prime Video membership, which costs $8.99 per month, Prime Video's catalog of original content isn't as varied or family-friendly as Disney Plus. Also, Amazon Prime Video allows three concurrent streams using the same Amazon account and up to two simultaneous streams of the same content. Comparatively, Disney Plus provides up to four concurrent streams and seven user profiles.

Can you share passwords on Disney Plus+

No, you can't share your Disney Plus passwords with anyone outside your household. If you need to add an extra member, you can add someone for $6.99 for the Disney Plus Basic and $9.99 for Premium. This add-on is unavailable for Disney Bundle subscribers or those billed using a partner.

You can watch Disney Plus if you're away from home, but Disney will ask for verification. If they do ask, Disney encourages users to tap "I'm away from home" or "update household." Disney will send the account holder a one-time passcode to enter to remove the restriction.

Disney Plus encourages users to create a new account if they don't want to add an Extra Member charge. Disney also clarifies that only one Extra Member slot is available per account.

Disney Plus for the U.S. has joined other countries, such as Costa Rica, Guatemala, Canada, and Europe, in the paid-sharing program.

• Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

Now that you know everything there is to know about Disney Plus, it's time to choose something to watch. Go take a look at our list of the best movies and shows on Disney Plus so you can plan your next viewing party.

What you need to know

• Streaming holds the top spot for July for TV viewing for the first time.
• Streaming accounted for 34.8% of TV viewing, with Cable holding 34.4% and broadcast television rounding it out with 21.6%.
• Netflix had the most minutes spent watching it, with a healthy boost from users spending 18 billion minutes watching Stranger Things.

For the first time, streaming has taken over the top spot for TV viewers in the month of July.

You can enjoy all of your favorite streaming services on some of the best streaming devices out there, and it looks like consumers are doing this more and more. According to Neilsen's Gauge monthly report, streaming accounted for 34.8% of viewers' TV interaction for July. This is the first time streaming has ever held the crown as cable came in second with 34.4% of TV consumption, with broadcast television rounding things out with 21.6%.

You've probably heard the term "cut the cord" implored by streaming services to reel in more users. The trends display people shifting to streaming platforms more and more, and streaming's latest first-place takeover is further evidence. Reports from Nielsen continue to say that streaming usage has gone up 3.2%, while its share points saw a 1.1-point increase.

The average time spent streaming for July was around 191 billion minutes per week. When it came to the big names in the industry, such as Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and YouTube, Nielsen is reporting that each of those companies saw "record-high shares" again in July. Netflix held the largest share of viewer interest with 8% and was most likely due to Stranger Things attaining a whopping 18 billion viewing minutes.

Last month, cable viewing dropped around 2%. It's being reported that sports are likely one of the significant contributing factors, as it's fallen 15.4% since June and 34% compared to this time a year ago. Viewing for broadcast television is also following a similar route. Nielsen's monthly report says broadcast television's 3.7% decline is most likely due to the lull we have until new seasons and shows begin in September. However, another factor is sports again, as viewing for that has declined 41% since June.

While Netflix held supreme for time spent watching streamed content, Disney Plus is making moves of its own. The company announced that it's launching its ad-supported tier soon, which is set to arrive ahead of Netflix launching its own ad-supported tier. Netflix expects to introduce its ad-supported tier in early 2023, although there may be less content featured on it.

In a recent earnings call, Netflix's CEO Reed Hastings gave a positive spin on the platform's recent subscriber loss, suggesting that the end of linear TV is closer than we might expect. Reed stated that "looking forward, streaming is working everywhere. Everyone is pouring in. It's definitely the end of linear TV over the next five/ten years, so very bullish on streaming."

What you need to know

• Disney has announced new pricing for its streaming services.
• Disney+ and Hulu are raising prices of their current plans by a few dollars, while bundle prices are also changing.
• Disney+ is launching a new ad-supported tier that will cost the same as the current plan.

Disney+ has managed to offer great content at a surprisingly affordable price, but that's about to change as the company has just announced a slew of changes coming to its services.

On Wednesday, the Walt Disney Company announced that it would be raising the prices of its current plans for Disney+ and Hulu in the United States. Disney+ will increase by a few dollars to $11 per month, while Hulu will increase its ad-supported and ad-free tiers to $7 and $15, respectively, up from the current $6 and $13.

Some bundled subscriptions are also changing, with the "legacy" Disney Bundle with Hulu ads going up by $1, while additional bundles are being added at lower prices. Disney previously announced a price increase for ESPN+ that takes place later this month.

To make up for the price hikes, Disney will start offering a "cheaper" tier for Disney+, which will cost the same $8 per month as the existing plan but will now include ads.

It's a bit confusing, but you can see the new pricing below, which includes legacy plans for existing customers:

Below is the updates subscription costs for the bundles plans, including legacy plans for existing customers:

New pricing for Hulu individual plans will occur on October 10, while the remaining pricing and plans (minus ESPN+) go into effect on December 8.

According to Kareem Daniel, chairman of Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, the company is looking to expand its plans to provide "greater consumer choice at a variety of price points to cater to the diverse needs of our viewers and appeal to an even broader audience." In other words, costs are rising, and the company needs to make up for it somehow.

The announcement coincides with the company's earnings report on Wednesday, reflecting higher revenues but more operating losses. According to Disney, "Direct-to-Consumer revenues for the quarter increased 19% to $5.1 billion and operating loss increased $0.8 billion to $1.1 billion." The operating loss was mostly attributed to Disney+. Despite that, the company reported that more than 14 million subscribers were added to the service.

Disney is not the only company bowing to the effects of a growing streaming industry as companies compete by investing more in compelling content. Netflix has had a notably tough year that ultimately led to the service announcing that it, too, will introduce an ad-supported tier that will debut sometime in early 2023. Warner also announced that it plans to merge HBO Max and Discovery+ into a single streaming service next summer, although exact details on the newly combined service are still largely unknown at this moment.

Disney notably reported 221 million subscribers between its three streaming services, beating out Netflix, which recently dropped to 220.67 million.

What you need to know...

• Disney+ is set to launch an ad-supported subscription tier in 2022 following Hulu, HBO Max, Netflix, and others.
• Disney will limit ads to just four minutes per hour which would be one of the lowest amounts for an ad-supported streaming service.
• Disney has confirmed that preschool programming will not have any ads at all.

Thanks to its incredible catalog of movies and good app design, Disney+ has quickly risen to be one of the largest video streaming services available. Like many other streaming services, Disney+ is looking to offer an ad-supported tier to entice even more streamers to the service. Luckily for those considering this cheaper option, Disney won't overload streamers with too many ads.

As reported by Tech Crunch, Disney+ will limit ads to four minutes per hour and won't show ads to preschoolers at all. Disney confirmed to the publication that a lighter ad load and lack of advertisements for preschoolers would be the plan for the initial launch. Notably, this is well below the FCC's weekday limit of 12 minutes per hour on children's educational programming.

Walt Disney Company’s president of Advertising Sales, Rita Ferro, confirmed that the company would not be collecting data on individual children to target them with ads. Preschool children using their own Disney+ profile won't see any ads.

This plan is set to be offered alongside the current Disney+ ad-free tier. While we still don't know exactly how much Disney will charge for this new tier, Tech Crunch noted that Disney executives had indicated that the ad-free subscription might increase from its current $7.99 price. While the option to get rid of ads entirely will still be available, many will find the trade-off of watching a few commercials worth the cost savings, especially as people need to sign up for more and more services to get all the content they're after.

Like Disney, Netflix is also preparing to launch an ad-supported tier that's expected to land by the end of 2022. This comes as Netlfix plans to crack down on password sharing on the best streaming devices.

Netflix isn't in a good place right now. The company lost 200,000 subscribers in the first quarter of 2022 — the first time Netflix saw subscribers drop in more than 10 years. However, it's not too surprising given the recent price hikes and the threat of a password-sharing crackdown looming over subscribers.

New projections show that the streaming service could lose as many as 2 million subscribers in the second quarter. We at Android Central want to know if you're among those that plan to leave Netflix.

Netflix recently raised its prices in both the U.S. and Canada by as much as $2 per month, depending on your plan. That brings the basic plan up to $10 per month, which is more than other streaming services like Disney+. However, if you want HD or 4K content, you'll have to spend up to $20 per month on your subscription. Meanwhile, HBO Max managed to add 3 million subscribers (combined with HBO) following the launch of its cheaper ad-supported tier on the best streaming devices.

Netflix recently suggested that it's looking into launching a cheaper ad-supported tier as well, something the company has been pretty adamant about not introducing to the platform. However, given the subscriber loss, it makes sense that it would want to lure customers back with cheaper options. However, it's not clear if such a strategy would work, especially if Netflix keeps canceling our favorite shows.

That said, Netflix has also been testing a way to charge extra to share passwords, a widespread practice that many users rely on to share the cost of the rising subscription prices. Netflix apparently blames its subscriber loss on password-sharing, estimating that as many as 100 million households share their passwords with others. However, if Netflix goes through with its plans, the move could potentially push subscribers even further away from the platform.

Drop a comment on our Facebook and Twitter accounts and let us know if you plan to leave or stay with Netflix.

What you need to know

• Disney has named Google's VP of engineering as its new streaming CTO.
• Jeremy Doig pioneered key video and compression technologies powering YouTube and Chrome.
• He has spent 18 years at Google after previously working for BBC and Microsoft.

Google's vice president of engineering, who worked on new standards for online media, is joining Disney's streaming division as chief technology officer. Jeremy Doig pioneered the compression and video technologies that are found on YouTube and Google Chrome today.

Doig will report directly to Michael Paull, president of Disney Streaming, which comprises Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Plus, and Star Plus. He will officially join the company in April after working at Google for 18 years.

"I’m thrilled to be joining The Walt Disney Company at this crucial moment in the entertainment industry,” Doig said in a press release. “The proliferation of streaming services in the market has reached new peaks and there are so many opportunities for technology to push boundaries and create stunning new viewer experiences for Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and Star+ subscribers."

He brings more than three decades of experience in online media. Most recently, he led the development of compression approaches for audio and video that power YouTube and Google Chrome.

He also worked at Google on spatial experiences and pioneered protocols that allow consumers to watch content on the best streaming devices.

Prior to that, he held various technology roles at the BBC, The Multimedia Corporation, e-commerce platform Online Magic, and Microsoft.

"Jeremy is a true visionary that has sat at the forefront of making online video streaming possible in his nearly 30-year career at the intersection of technology and media, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Disney Streaming leadership team," said Paull.

Doig's new role at Disney comes as the company plans to expand Disney Plus into more than 50 new markets this year, including South Africa, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

According to Variety, Doig will succeed Joe Inzerillo, who helped create Disney Plus and joined SiriusXM as chief product and technology officer earlier this year.

Edit 3/5/22 12:30 PM ET: Disney confirms cheaper subscription tier launching in late 2022

What you need to know

• Disney will introduce a cheaper subscription plan for Disney+ in the U.S.
• The plan would support ads, similar to other services such as HBO Max and Disney's own Hulu.
• The new follows slowing subscriber growth for Disney's flagship streaming platform.

Disney+ is hungry for subscribers, and its next move would allow it to further undercut the likes of Netflix and HBO Max. To do so, Disney is set to launch a cheaper ad-supported subscription tier in the U.S.

The news was first reported by The Information on Thursday and later confirmed by Disney. The media company is introducing the new tier as a way to boost its slowing subscriber growth. This comes not long after Disney raised the prices of its Hulu + Live TV service and bundled it with ESPN+ and Disney+, no doubt as a way to grab more subscribers.

"Expanding access to Disney+ to a broader audience at a lower price point is a win for everyone - consumers, advertisers, and our storytellers," Kareem Daniel, Chairman of Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution, said in a statement on Friday. "More consumers will be able to access our amazing content. Advertisers will be able to reach a wider audience, and our storytellers will be able to share their incredible work with more fans and families."

Given that Disney owns Hulu, the company is already familiar with such a strategy. However, the move will also follow other rival streaming services like HBO Max, which launched its ad-supported tier in 2021 with several limitations when compared to the ad-free subscription. When the ad-supported tier launched on Disney+, it could also place additional limits on the service, such as the availability of new movies, streaming resolution, of the number of concurrent streams you can have across the best streaming devices.

As it stands, Disney is already in a decent position as far as pricing. At $8 per month, it costs less than Netflix as well as HBO Max's ad-supported tier. However, there are several more affordable services out there, and a cheaper subscription could put Disney+ in direct competition with them. Disney also believes this will help it achieve its goal of reaching 230-260 million subscribers by 2024.

The ad-supported tier will launch in the U.S. in late 2022, with an international launch to follow in 2023. No details on pricing or features were given.

With the launch of Disney+ come and gone, now you have to figure out where to download all the apps — and there are so many platforms to find! We have a list here of all the places you can get the app right now, and I'm sure the list will grow over time.

On your Roku

Roku is the most popular way to stream content in the U.S., so of course, Disney would make sure there is a Roku app. It's straightforward to find too, head over to the channel store on your Roku, or click this link

A lot of Roku TVs have the Disney+ logo plastered all over them right now, so you should be able to find it easily.

On your Fire Stick

Amazon's Fire stick is used the world over and hosts all the primary streaming services, including Disney+. Happily, getting the app for your fire stick is also the same as getting it for your Fire tablet, so the process is simplified.

Just head over to the Amazon Appstore to download it to any of your Amazon-branded devices, well almost all, they don't have an Echo Show or Kindle version; yet!

For your phone

We have been using smartphones for the last decade, so I think we all know how to get apps. If you have an Android device you can download it on the Google Play Store — that works for Android TV as well as phones and tablets — and if you are using an Apple device, including iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV, then you can grab the app from Apple App Store.

One of the best parts of these streaming services is having them available on mobile. There is nothing quite like sitting on a train, with your headphones on and being able to watch the Mandalorian.

On your console

Right now, you can watch Disney+ plus on two of the big three consoles. The Nintendo Switch app isn't available yet, but hopefully, it will be in the new year. Right now you can get the Xbox app over at the Microsoft Store and if you are a PlayStation user you can grab the app from the PlayStation Store.

Where to find it on your Smart TV

Almost any smart TV is likely to have a Disney+ app. Whether it's a TV with Roku built-in, your Samsung smart TV, or your Web OS LG TV, it's likely to be one of the first things you see when you turn on the TV. Installing it depends on the TV model, but you should be able to navigate to the Disney+ logo and click install.

Unfortunately, there are no links we can give you for the Smart TVs as they don't exist outside its ecosystem, but it shouldn't be too hard to find, especially if your TV has a search function.

Casting to your Chromecast

Both the iOS app and the Android app will let you cast to a Chromecast. In case you don't know, a Chromecast is a small dongle that allows you stream services to your TV, and it's controlled through your phone. It's a simple way to get quality content, and it's cheap. You can pick up the latest Chromecast — the Chromecast Ultra — at Amazon for just $70. The Chromecast Ultra will also stream those excellent Disney+ shows in 4K so you can watch the Mandalorian the way it was meant to be seen.

To watch Disney+ through your Chromecast, make sure your phone and your Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. When you load the app, you should see the cast button in the top right — it looks like a square with a Wi-Fi symbol in the bottom corner — if you tap that icon, you will see it animate as it connects. Once it's connected, a Disney+ splash screen will appear on your TV, waiting for you to choose a show.

Windows 10 Progressive Web App

Progressive Web Apps (PWA) are incredibly helpful when a company doesn't make an app for Windows 10. Strangely, Disney didn't make an app for Windows even though they already have one for Xbox, especially as the Xbox app kind of works on Windows 10.

Making a PWA for Windows 10, will create a self-contained instance of Disney+ that you can pin to your taskbar and access anytime you need.

So many options

Disney has made a concerted effort to make sure you can use Disney+ on almost anything with a screen — except for your Echo Show, unfortunately — so however you want to watch, there is likely an app for it. I'm partial to the Chromecast myself; it's simple and streams in 4K so I can get the most out of the shows I watch. Unfortunately there is no longer a Disney+ free trial, but you can get started for just $7 per month.

The new Disney Plus show The Mandalorian is a hit and for good reason. It features a complex but ultimately likable title character, but more importantly, it features Baby Yoda! The little green one, or The Child as he's officially known, has stolen the show and our hearts as the most loveable character in the cultural zeitgeist right now, and his presence has spawned an entire industry of official and unofficial Mandalorian and Baby Yoda merchandise, including car decals. Check out some of our favorites from the collection below, and start repping the little green dude (or dudette) on your ride!

These are my favorites. I have spoken

Baby Yoda is the best thing to happen to pop culture in quite a while, and I don't think there's anything wrong with showing the little green baby some love while we're out and about town. My personal favorite Baby Yoda decals are the ones that show the creature in a happy mood, like this one from M&R, but I also have a soft spot for silhouette stickers like this one of Mando and The Child. New parents might even get a kick out of telling the world they have a little Jedi in the car.

Whichever decal you choose, don't be afraid to rep The Child on your car (or laptop) soon. If you're looking for more Baby Yoda in your life, there are plenty of other products with the little one's face on it for you to puruse. May the force be with you!

Baby Yoda from The Mandalorian (available on Disney Plus) is everyone's new favorite Star Wars character, and when you get a good look at how gosh dang cute the little guy is, it's easy to see why. Even though The Mandalorian has only been around for a few weeks, and Disney has been holding back on releasing a flood of merchandise, there's a solid amount of amazing Baby Yoda-themed merch out there for you to wear and/or use proudly. Here's a collection of our favorites!

If we had to choose

Baby Yoda is the latest fad, and considering how cute he is, it's some well-deserved popularity. Though the merchandise available right now is a bit on the scarce side, there are plenty of gems out there if you know where to look.

If I had to choose one, I would go with the Cute I Am, Adore Me You Must T-Shirt as I love how it manages to be both funny and simple, and with a clean graphic design to boot. For something on the warmer side of things, I would 100 percent pick the Baby Yoda Sunset Hoodie, as I think the warm, vibrant colors look amazing and pop well.

Aside from the above, I also like the Baby Yoda Icon Beanie since it's cute but not overly attention-grabbing. Lastly, the Baby Yoda Travel Mug would be what I'd pick for an accessory, as I prefer normal Baby Yoda to stylized versions of him.

Disney was hesitant at first to release merchandise for Baby Yoda/The Child due to fear of spoilers, but now that we're deep into The Mandalorian's first season, the options are starting to appear. The market isn't huge right now because of this, but we'll be sure to update you with anything come your way. For example, Hasbro is releasing a line of figures starting in May 2020!

Oh, and sign up for a free 7-day Disney+ trial while you're at it.

Disney Plus prices have just received an epic cut on the monthly subscription cost. Prices over at the official sign-up site have just been cut to $1.99 / £1.99, but you'll have to be quick as the offer expires on November 14.

This is likely to be the best offer you'll see for quite some time, especially given the Disney Plus free trial was canceled a long time ago. Disney Plus is usually $7.99/£7.99 a month, so getting it for this price is pretty much a free trial. After your month is up, prices will auto-renew at the standard price, but you're free to cancel at any time, there are no obligations or long-term contracts involved at all.

This is a great time to sign up too as both Jungle Cruise and Shang-Chi: Legend of the Ten Rings are both coming to the service on November 12 at no extra charge. They were both previously on the Premier Access tier (or viewable at movie theaters), requiring an expensive extra payment to watch them on Disney Plus. Most modern smart TVs can access the app already, but check out our guide to the best streaming devices if you're looking for alternative options.

Save 75% with this Disney Plus deal

Disney Plus is packed with content now, much more so than it was at launch. In addition to pretty much every Disney and Pixar movie ever made, you're getting access to the huge range of Marvel content, National Geographic documentaries, and all the Star Wars movies and shows, including The Mandalorian - a new show made exclusively for the new streaming service. Oh and all of The Simpsons. So yes, we imagine you'll be keeping this long after the month-long discount expires.

Check out our extensive guide to all things Disney Plus if you'd like to know more about the House of Mouse's streaming service.

When the new partnership to put Amazon Echo Show 5s into Walt Disney World hotel rooms with a Disney-fied, Alexa-backed assistant called Hey Disney was announced, the Disney nerd in me had two questions:

The first question requires a complicated conversation. It would take time to build custom AIs with uniquely-spoken character voices, find feasible monetization methods, and optimize it to a level of quality worthy of the Disney name. Even more time was undoubtedly spent tying this service into Disney's theme park services with Alexa for Hospitality, so you can ask Alexa for extra pillows or fresh towels instead of having to ring the front desk.

An answer to the latter question, on the other hand, is much easier to guess: Amazon wants to get you used to listening devices being in more and more locations. And Disney almost certainly wants to see the usage statistics from how Hey Disney is used to anticipate guest needs and character popularity better.

Before we get our tin-foil hats on, let's start with the most important part of this whole Alexa/Amazon in every single Disney hotel room snafu:

Being able to disable this or turn the device off entirely — it's unlikely the Echo's wall adapter will be caged or screwed in, so you can always unplug it — does not excuse putting a smart display that many guests will be unfamiliar within thousands upon thousands of hotel rooms. Especially when it's aimed at kids, as most hotels that currently use Alexa speakers or displays in their rooms are targeted towards adults.

I love Disney. I live at Walt Disney World, and I'm willing to forgive a lot of the rampant greed on display at Disney Parks right now — but the instant I heard the announcement, warning klaxons went off in my head. Yes, yes, Disney can already spy on you through the My Disney Experience app — along with every other Disney service you use, including ESPN — but there's a distinct difference between my phone listening to me when I say "Hey Disney" and having a smart display that I don't own and can only partially control listening to and interacting with me and my family.

As a sidenote, here's another fun Disney privacy tidbit: thanks to Android 12's clipboard permissions, I can see the My Disney Experience app paste whatever my last copied link, text, or password was into the app without ever turning on the keyboard every time I open it. That's kind of sketchy, Disney, especially when you already pull location data and god knows what else through the app and MagicBand tracking.

There are upsides of the Echo Show 5 in your hotel room: you could get Ring or Blink camera alerts through the display to see who came to the front gate while you were on vacation. That hasn't taken any extra setup, by the way; whenever my dad comes to visit, my Echo Dot chimes with motion alerts from his Ring camera three states away, even without him ever touching or talking to my Dot.

Want to avoid these crowds? Use Hey Disney.

You can also use the display to get useful information like what time the park opens today — so that you can go take advantage of Early Entry — or hearing what the day's weather will bring, or even where to buy a Turkey Leg or a Dole Whip. (Key Lime at Storybook Treats is the best one, just FYI.) This means less you'll need to look up through various apps and the quicker you can get up, prepped, and out the door to theme parks and the unhealthy breakfast of champions!

Is that convenience worth all the headaches that will come with this? The in-room Echo Shows will be owned and managed by Disney, which can complicate device management. This could cause your recordings to be deleted after a vacation or previous room guests to accidentally trigger the Show once after they've gone home.

As I've mentioned, my dad's Ring account synced up with my Echo Dot just from being on the same Wi-Fi, and Disney uses a massive mesh system across its resorts. What if your Ring alerts go to the Echo Show in the wrong room? And this is setting aside the information Disney and Amazon will be able to collect once you opt-in.

You'll also be able to use Hey Disney at home as a paid custom AI on top of Alexa, but the AI is limited in what it can do. This is less of an Alexa replacement and more of a souped-up Alexa Skill. And while it could be fun for those with small kids and plenty of Echo devices around the house, pricing will likely be higher than the service is worth unless you live at Walt Disney World and can ask it about the parks regularly.

Hey Disney won't be available until 2022 — though you can sign up for notifications right now — and it won't be appearing in hotel rooms until next year, too. There's time for Amazon and Disney to iron out the details and make what it does and doesn't collect crystal clear.

For now, though, the only useful announcement yesterday was the cute Mickey stand from OtterBox, which will be handy for owners of the best budget-friendly smart speaker.

Disney Plus is a relatively new streaming service from Disney that brings the best of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, National Geographic, and more into one place.

There is a whole lot of content on Disney+, which could make finding something new to watch a little overwhelming. Luckily, we've done the hard work and rounded up some of the best shows and movies that you should be watching on Disney+ right now. From original series meant for kids to action-packed or endearing films for the whole family, see our guide to the best Disney+ shows and movies below.

What is Disney+, and how do I sign up?

If you aren't familiar with Disney+ or have been holding out on signing up, now may be the time to learn more and get a subscription started. It brings pretty much the full collection of shows and movies from Disney, Pixar, National Geographic, Marvel, and more into one service for a low monthly cost that doesn't require a long-term commitment.

You can get started with a Disney Plus subscription for just $7.99 per month, or combine it with Hulu and ESPN+ for just $13.99 a month. Both give you access to the same Disney+ library, but obviously, the bundle just gives you more services to watch.

Best series on Disney+

Disney+ is the go-to platform for new and classic series that are perfect for the whole family. While there's tons of content to choose from, we've sorted out some of the best options streaming on Disney+ right now.

Disney+ Originals

Whether you're a big Star Wars fan, are obsessed with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), or are just looking for a new show to binge, Disney+ has you covered with some of the best original shows streaming right now. Here are four Disney+ originals you won't want to miss.

The Bad Batch

A continuation of the Star Wars Universe, The Bad Batch follows a unique squad of clones finding their way in a changing galaxy in the aftermath of the Clone War.

Loki

Set after the events of Avengers: Endgame, Loki follows the titular God of Mischief as he deals with the aftermath of stealing the Tesseract and being detained by the Time Variance Authority (TVA). The series stars Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

Monsters at Work

Monsters at Work follows monster Tylor Tuskmon, who joins Monsters Inc. after graduating at the top of his class from Monsters University. But when Tylor learns that the company is looking for Jokesters, not Scarers, his plans change.

Turner & Hooch

A remake of the Tom Hanks-starring film of the same name, Turner & Hooch stars Josh Peck as Deputy Marshal Scott Turner, whose life is turned upside down when he inherits a slobbery dog named Hooch. However, the pair end up being a dynamic duo when it comes to solving crimes. New episodes drop weekly.

Classic series

In addition to the original series, the Disney+ library includes hundreds of classic shows that you probably grew up on or maybe even watched with your kids when they were younger. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of several throwback series currently streaming on Disney+ that are sure to make you feel nostalgic.

Boy Meets World

Stream all seven seasons of Boy Meets World, which follows Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) and his group of friends as they deal with their families and school.

Ducktales

Ducktales follows the adventures of Huey, Dewey and Louie, who are sent to live with their wealthy grand-uncle Scrooge McDuck after their uncle Donald Duck joins the Navy. You can stream the original series, which aired from 1987-1990, or all three seasons of the 2017 reboot—which wrapped up earlier this year.

Kim Possible

Kim Possible follows the titular high school student, who doubles as a secret agent in her spare time. Joined by her best friend Ron Stoppable and his pet naked mole-rat Rufus, Kim must save the world from archenemies around the globe.

Smart Guy

Smart Guy stars Tahj Mowry as a boy genius named T.J., who gets bumped up from fourth grade to high school, where he's joined by his 14-year-old jock brother Marcus and self-absorbed 16-year-old sister Yvette.

Movies on Disney+

Disney+ is also the hub for all the films — new and old — in the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars catalogs, as well as a variety of movies and documentaries you'll only find on the platform. So whether you're looking for something brand new Disney+ content to watch on your 4K TV, or one of the animated Disney films you grew up watching, here are some options to start off your movie marathon with.

New releases

In addition to boasting a massive media library of Disney and Pixar classics, Disney+ offers a variety of brand new films. While some of the releases are only available through the Disney+ Premier Access for the first few months of their release, others are free to all subscribers. Here are a few new releases that are streaming now.

Black Widow

Black Widow finds Natasha Romanoff revisiting her history with The Red Room assassins after a dangerous conspiracy with connections to her past arises. The film stars Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, and David Harbour. It's available for $29.99 through Disney+ Premier Access.

Cruella

Set in the '70s, Cruella stars Emma Stone as the titular puppy-stealing villain and explores her early days as an aspiring fashion designer in London, as well as the events that led her to become bad. It's available for $29.99 through Disney+ Premier Access.

Jungle Cruise

Based on the ride of the same name at Disneyland, Jungle Cruise stars Emily Blunt as Dr. Lily Houghton, who travels with her brother to the Amazon in search of a mythical healing tree. They're joined by riverboat captain Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson), who leads them on a dangerous journey into the jungle. It's available for $29.99 through Disney+ Premier Access.

Luca

Luca is set in a fictional seaside town on the Italian Riviera and follows a pair of sea monster friends who decide to explore life on solid ground while disguised as humans.

Classic films

Even without the full catalog of Marvel Studios films and the growing number of films and documentaries available from 20th Century Films (Fox), National Geographic, and even more in the countries where Disney Star launched — those movies wind up on Hulu in the United States — the sheer tonnage of films under the Walt Disney Pictures umbrella is impressive. Whether you're looking to relive the magic of the first films you remember from your childhood or are revisiting classic franchises before they get new retellings, these are the Disney classics you need to watch right now.

Aladdin Trilogy

Revisit the classic animated Aladdin Trilogy, which follows the misadventures of a street rat-turned-prince as he attempts to woo Princess Jasmine and defeat the evil Jafar.

Blank Check

Source: Walt Disney Pictures

Blank Check tells the story of 11-year-old Preston, who receives a blank settlement check after being involved in a bike accident. Faced with the opportunity to cash the check in for a million dollars, Preston quickly learns the ups and downs of being rich.

Freaky Friday (2003)

Based on Mary Rodgers' 1972 novel of the same name, this version of Freaky Friday stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan as mother and daughter Tess and Anna Coleman, who switch bodies following an argument over a magical fortune cookie. Through literally walking in each others' shoes, the pair learn to better understand the cracks in their relationship.

A Goofy Movie

Set three years after the events of Disney's popular Goof Troop animated series, A Goofy Movie follows single father Goofy and his 14-year-old son Max as they embark on a wild road trip together.

Conclusion

The Disney+ catalog is quite extensive and features a whole lot of shows and movies for parents and kids alike. Whether you want to catch up on a game-changing series like The Bad Batch and Loki, or revisit an older show like Smart Guy or Kim Possible, the platform's ever-growing media library will keep you busy.

If you're willing to pay a bit extra, you can also dive into a handful of brand new releases, like Jungle Cruise. And if saving money is at the front of your mind, then revisiting an older franchise or singing along to your favorite animated Disney classic might be the better option.

Do you have a favorite that's not included in this list? Be sure to drop a comment and let us know what you're watching so that we can keep people up-to-date about the best Disney+ shows and movies streaming now.

In addition to offering a variety of originals films and series, Disney Plus is the digital hub for all things Marvel. Whether you've just finished WandaVision, or want to revisit your favorite Avenger on film, Disney+ has got you covered.

The platform also offers a number Marvel-adjacent and bonus superhero films that are perfect for satiating your superhero addiction ahead of Marvel Studios' latest spinoff show. With that in mind, we've rounded up a list of movies to watch on Disney+ before diving into the new Loki series. Here they are.

Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase One

Iron Man (2008)

The Marvel film that started it all, Iron Man introduces fans to Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) -- a billionaire industrialist and genius who is conducting a weapons test overseas. When Stark is kidnapped by terrorists, his only option is to become Iron Man.

Thor (2011)

Thor finds Chris Hemsworth's titular hero getting ready to take over the title of King of Asgard from his father Odin when his reckless arrogance reignites an ancient war. Banished to Earth as punishment, Thor must find a way to stop his evil stepbrother Loki from stealing the throne.

The Avengers (2012)

In The Avengers, Thor's evil brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) gets his hands on the energy cube called the Tesseract, leading Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Nick Fury to recruit the world's best superheroes to defend Earth.

Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Two

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Set hundreds of years after the gods of Asgard defeated the Dark Elves and buried their ultimate weapon, the Aether, Thor: The Dark World finds Thor sprining into action when Dr. Jane Foster uncovers the weapon -- and becomes its host.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Avengers: Age of Ultron finds the Avengers reassembling after Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) accidentally creates an A.I. monster called Ultron (James Spader), who vows to achieve "world peace" by way of mass extinction.

Ant-Man (2015)

In Ant-Man, thief Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) must learn to embrace his inner hero after being armed with the ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength. With help from his mentor Dr. Hank Pym, Scott attempts to pull off a heist that will save the world.

Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Three and Four

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

In Thor: Ragnarok, Thor races against time to stop a cataclysmic event called Ragnarok, which promises to end all of Asgardian civilization. The catch? The God of Thunder is imprisoned on the other side of the universe, and without his hammer. In addition to being tasked with fighting a fellow Avenger in a gladiator-style contest, Thor must figure out how to keep the villainous Hela from destroying his home.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Avengers: Infinity War finds the Avengers and their superhero allies teaming-up against Thanos (Josh Brolin), who seeks to use the power of the Infinity Stones to destroy the universe and half of the world's population.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

The conclusion to the Infinity Saga, Avengers: Endgame finds the survivors of Thanos' snap attempting to move forward five years after the events that wiped out half the population in Infinity War. Along the way, the remaining Avengers must relearn how to work together in order to bring their friends and family back.

Marvel Legacy Movies

While the X-Men have yet to be offiicially introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), there's plans to do just that with the long-awaited Deadpool 3. As such, it might be a good time to catch up with the mutants. Here's a selection of previously-released X-Men films that will serve as a good primer ahead of the new group of mutants joining the MCU.

X-Men (2000)

The first film in the X-Men franchise, Bryan Singer's X-Men introduces the core members of Dr. Charles Xavier's X-Men Team and pits them against the villainous Magneto (Ian MCKellen), who wants the mutants of the world to come out of hiding and take out the human race.

The Wolverine (2013)

The Wolverine finds Hugh Jackman's mutant character returning to Japan for his first time since World War II, and struggling to both keep it together and rediscover the hero within himself while on the run.

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

With mutants on the brink of extinction, X-Men: Days of Future Past finds Wolverine volunteering to go back in time and rally the X-Men in order to change a pivotal moment in history and attempt to save their futures.

Superhero films you don't want to miss

Disney+ also gives subscribers access to a selection of superhero films that might be a better fit for families with younger children. Here are three films that both meet those requirements and are worth a watch.

Big Hero 6 (2014)

In Big Hero 6, robotics prodigy Hero Hamada and his robot Baymax team up with a squad of unlikely heroes to save the city of San Fransokyo.

Incredibles 2 (2018)

The long-awaited sequel to the 2004 Pixar film, Incredibles 2 finds Mr. Incredible stepping into the role of a stay-at-home parent when wife Elastigirl is enlisted to save the world.

Secret Society of Second-Born Royals (2020)

A Disney+ original film, Secret Society of Second-Born Royals stars Peyton Elizabeth Lee (And Mack) as a princess named Samantha, who is shocked to learn that she has superpowers and belongs to a secret society of second-born royals who have been working to secretly keep the peace for centuries.

What's next on Disney+

The movies listed above are just a small selection of the content that's worth watching ahead of the debut of Loki on June 9. But if you're looking for a variety of films that will get you up to speed on everything you might of missed far it's a good place to start. This is especially true of Iron Man, as well as it's two sequels, which serve as the jumping off point for each phase of the MCU the Thor films, which show Loki taking on a variety of personalities.

If you've exhausted your viewing of the Avengers-related movies, that in might be time to start an X-Men marathon. While the timeline throughout the existing films is a bit wonky, the original X-Men film and it's sequels are a solid primer for the characters you might see pop up when the mutants are reintroduced by Marvel Studios.

And if you're still building up to all the action that Marvel has to offer, the more kid-friendly Incredibles 2 might be a good place to start. You can also take your viewing experience to the next level by operating Disney+ on a 4k compatible device.

Once you've made it through this list of standout movies to watch on Disney+, you'll be prepared for the next round of content hitting the platform. In fact, Disney announced earlier this year that — in addition to WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Solider, and Loki series — 10 other Marvel projects are already in the works. These include the previously announced Ms. Marvel, Moon Knight and She-Hulk series. So, buckle up! It's going to be a wild ride.

Disney's iconic animated film One Hundred and One Dalmatians remains a children's classic in part because of its memorable villain, Cruella De Vil, and the new live-action release of Cruella will see how the dangerously ambitious fashion designer first got her start. Though the film was originally intended for an exclusive theatrical debut, it was announced in late March that it will begin streaming on Disney+ on the very same day as it's released in theaters.

Cruella is following in the footsteps of previous Disney+ release Mulan and is a Premiere Access film; you'll not only need to be a Disney+ member to watch but you'll also need to pay an additional $30 fee to unlock access to the film. Even with the $30 fee, that's a far cry from what a family might pay to see the same film at the theater. By purchasing Premiere Access, the film is added to your Disney+ account so you or the kids can watch whenever you'd like.

If you're wondering how to sign up for Disney+, how much the service costs, or how you can watch for free, check below.

Disney's Cruella: When and Where

The live-action film Cruella premieres this Friday, May 28 in theaters and on Disney+ starting at 3am ET the same day. Disney+ members can purchase Premiere Access for $30 using the Disney Plus website and select platforms including Apple, Google, and Roku devices. Once you've purchased access to the film, you will be able to stream it on any device that supports Disney+ whenever you'd like for as long as you're a Disney+ member.

If you don't want to purchase Premiere Access to the film but you're a Disney+ member, you can stream the film beginning August 27 when it becomes available to all Disney+ subscribers.

How do you get a free Disney+ trial?

While Disney+ has offered a free trial in the past, there hasn't been one available for months now. Unfortunately, there's no way to join Disney+ for free at this time. However, the service happens to be one of the most affordable out there. WIth currency conversions, there is some variation in pricing based on which country you live in ($6.99/£5.99/AU$8.99), though you can save and drop the monthly cost even lower by paying for a full year of membership instead. You can get the full rundown on Disney+ monthly and annual pricing in your country via this Disney+ guide or choose from the plans below.

There's another Disney+ package which bundles in Hulu and ESPN+ streaming services starting at just $12.99 per month. If you're already a subscriber to one of these services, you could save money each month by switching to this bundled offer.

Best answer: The Disney+ Premier Access feature allows subscribers to pay an extra one-time fee in order to access new movies before they're released to all Disney+ members. The cost per movie is roughly $30, depending on which market you're in.

• The latest in Disney content: Disney+ from $7.99/mo. at Disney+

What is Disney+ Premier Access?

Disney launched the Disney+ Premier Access feature in September 2020, along with the live-action release of Mulan.

Premier Access allows current Disney+ subscribers to pay a one-time, $30 fee to watch a newly-released film three months ahead of other subscribers. Once you've purchased Premier Access, you can continue to stream or download the film for as long as you remain a Disney+ subscriber.

In order to buy a Premier Access movie on Disney+, you also need to have a Disney+ subscription, which costs $7.99 a month or $79.99 a year in the United States. It should be noted that the extra fee only provides early access to the movie, meaning each movie released under the Premier Access banner will become available to all subscribers — at no extra cost — three months later.

It's also worth pointing out that the Premier Access option is specific to each release, meaning you will have to pay the additional $30 for each new film you want to watch via Premier Access. While that may sound steep, its pretty comparable to buying theater tickets for your entire family. You can also save money by getting DIsney+ for free through Verizon Wireless.

How much does Premier Access cost in different markets?

According to Disney, Premier Access is accessible in all markets where the streaming platform is available, and where the film is being released digitally. While the fee for Disney+ Premier Access is $29.99 in the United States, the price varies a bit across markets. Full details about the exact fee for Disney+ Premier Access in every country isn't readily available, but here's a breakdown of how much it costs in the major markets.

Disney initially announced the Premier Access feature as a temporary solution, but it doesn't appear to be going anywhere soon. In fact, following the success of releasing Mulan and Raya and the Last Dragon via Premier Access, Disney announced it plans to release both Cruella and Black Widow in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access simultaneously in 2021.

Best answer: No. In the Heights will premiere in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously on June 11.

New movies now: HBO Max ($15 at HBO Max)

In the Heights on HBO Max

While Lin-Manuel Miranda has a strong relationship with Disney, and it would make sense to see In the Heights on Disney+, the film adaptation of Miranda's Tony Award-winning musical is being released by Warner Bros., which previously announced its entire slate of 2021 releases would debut in theaters and on HBO Max on the same day.

In the Heights was initially supposed to hit theaters in June 2020, but was pushed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It was later revealed that the film would debut on June 18, 2021, but director Jon M. Chu said in mid-March that the release moved up by one week.

At the time, Chu tweeted, "Surprise. We coming to Theaters one week earlier!!! There has been so much demand since our trailer release this week that we decided to get it out to you sooner. Let's gooooooooooooo!!!! See you soon. JUNE 11th 2021."

Starting June 18, In the Heights will be available on HBO Max for 31 Days. After that initial release period, the film will only be in theaters until it becomes available to rent or purchase digitally.

Will In the Heights ever move to Disney+?

Time Warner Inc. owns Warner Bros. and HBO, so it's likely that Warner Bros. projects — including In the Heights — will find a long-term home on the media conglomerate's HBO Max versus streaming service.

That being said, Time Warner often licenses out content to be streamed on other platforms for a limited time. An example of this would be the Harry Potter film franchise, which is currently exclusively available to stream on NBC's new Peacock streaming service versus HBO Max or another streamer.

With that in mind, there's a small chance that Time Warner could decide to make a deal that would give Disney+ subscribers access to In the Heights at a later date. As previously mentioned, the deal would make sense because Miranda already has a strong Disney connection. In addition to starring in Disney's Mary Poppins Returns (2018), Miranda contributed music to 2016's Moana and the upcoming Disney animated film Encanto (2021). Disney+ is also the exclusive home of the Hamilton musical film.

What you need to know

• Black Widow has now been announced as for Disney+ Premier Access.
• The film's release is being pushed back one more time from May 7 to July 9.
• Black Widow will launch in theaters and on Disney+ as a $30 Premier Access upcharge.
• Disney also pushed back several other films due to release this year.

While Disney has been testing release strategies between Disney+ Premier Access, regular Disney+ launches, and continually toyed with the idea of people actually returning to theaters, it seems that a decision has finally been made after months and months of deliberations on Black Widow: it will release in theaters and on Disney+ Premiere Acess on July 9, pushing the film back another two months.

Hopefully, though, this is the last time it's pushed back — the film was originally slated to release May 1, 2020, but then COVID came along and theaters have been closed the majority of the last year. When Disney+ Premier Access first debuted last fall with the launch of Mulan, the movie that we actually wanted to see use this strategy was Black Widow, which was supposed to kick off Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), a torch that instead fell to the Disney+ Original series WandaVision.

Make no mistake, we still want to see Natasha Romanoff confronting her past and kicking some serious butt alongside fellow Red Room-trained Widows and Red Guardian. The movie is set after Captain America: The Winter Soldier, during which Natasha dumped all of SHIELD's secrets on the internet including her own bloody, classified past, and it also gives us our first MCU look at Taskmaster, a classic Marvel villain who can copy the moves of anyone he watches and then use their fighting styles against them.

This also means a shakeup of other Walt Disney Pictures releases slated for this year:

• Cruella is still releasing May 28, but as a Disney+ Premier Access in addition to in theaters.
• Shang Shi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is pushed to September 3 from July. At this time it's still a theater-only release, but if Widow can go hybrid, anything is possible.
• Pixar's Luca is now launching on Disney+ on June 18. It is not a Premier Access launch so all subscribers will be able to watch it immediately.
• Free Guy, the 20th Century Studios Ryan Reynolds action-comedy, is pushed to August 13.
• The King's Man, 20th Century Studios' prequel to the Kingsman films, is pushed out to December 22.
• 20th Century Studios' thriller Deep Water is pushed to January 14, 2022.
• Death on the Nile, the sequel to 20th Century Studios' Murder on the Orient Express, is pushed to February 11, 2022.

Are you willing to pay $30 to watch Black Widow from home? I know I certainly am, if for nothing else than the ability to stop, rewind, and rewatch the fight scenes on my 4K TV because they promise to be amazing. If you haven't hopped on Disney+ yet, the price goes up in three days in the United States — it already went up in most other countries after the Star launch — so subscribe now and save!

Best answer: Yes. When you sign up for Disney Plus, your account can include up to seven different profiles.

• Sharing Disney magic: Disney+ (From $7/mo. at Disney+)

Sharing your Disney+ login

When you sign up for a Disney+ account, you have the option to add up to seven separate profiles under the same login.

The platform intends for each profile to belong to viewers within the same household so that viewers of different ages can customize their individual viewing experiences. However, there are currently no barriers to sharing your login and creating profiles for extended family or friends who live in different households.

One hiccup you might want to consider is that Disney+ limits the number of simultaneous streams across profiles to four devices, meaning you may need to occasionally coordinate with whoever shares your account.

You also might want to limit the number of people you share your login with if you plan to download movies and TV shows to watch offline. At this time, downloads are limited to 10 devices per account. While that might seem like a lot, the number of devices associated with one account adds up quickly when you consider associating a TV, a phone, and a tablet or computer to one profile.

How to kick people off your Disney+ account

If at any point you decide that you've been a bit too generous with sharing your Disney+ login, you can choose to remove people from your account. To take back control of your profile count, you just need to follow these simple steps.

1. Go to DisneyPlus.com and login.
2. Click on your profile icon in the upper right-hand corner of the home page. Source: Android Central

1. Select Account.
2. Under your username and password, click Log out of all devices.

Once everyone has been logged out of the account on their respective devices, you'll want to change your password so unwanted guests can't log back in. You'll also have the option to delete the profiles that are no longer being used.

Another way to share Disney+

If you feel bad about giving your password to multiple people for free, another option for sharing the Disney+ magic is gifting a membership. Disney+ offers consumers the option to gift an entire subscription to whomever they choose.

All you need to do is visit the Disney+ Gift Subscription website, click on the "Gift A Year" button and follow the prompts to sign up. It should be noted that this option only offers a yearly subscription, and requires the receiving user to create a new account.

If you are a huge fan of Pixar, Princesses, or live with a Disney junkie, Disney Plus (Disney+) is the streaming service for you. If you haven't had a chance to sign up yet, it's time to renew, or you're looking to give somebody the magical gift of Disney streaming, there's an easy way to do it, especially if you live near a Disney-run establishment. You can purchase 12-month subscription cards! If you have one or want to get one, we can help you use it so you can start streaming as soon as possible. Here's how to sign up for Disney Plus with a subscription card.

Before you buy or redeem

Before you try to redeem your subscription card, here are a few things you should take note of. You can't redeem a subscription code if you already have an account. The only way to successfully redeem a subscription card is to be a new subscriber. If you already purchased a card, you can gift it to someone who doesn't have the service. Otherwise, you have to wait until your current subscription is up so you can cancel and register with a new email address.

How to sign up for Disney Plus with a subscription card

If you haven't been gifted a card and you want to buy one yourself, you can find Disney+ subscription cards in Disney Stores or the Disney World or Disneyland parks. Once you've got it in hand, follow the steps below to get streaming. you can also buy a digital one from the Disney+ website.

1. Flip over your card for the subscription code. Once you've used the code, you can't reuse it.

2. Follow the instructions on the back by going to the website DisneyPlus.com/redeemcard.

3. Enter in your code, and click Redeem.

4. After your code is redeemed, enter your email. If you had an account previously, be sure to use a new email account.

5. Select if you want to receive offers and updates, read the terms of services, and select Agree & Continue.

6. Create your Disney+ account password.

7. You've done it! Now you can relax and enjoy all the magical programming Disney+ has to offer.

After a few small steps, you can now stream Disney+ on any compatible device. Enjoy the MCU, Star Wars, National Geographic, and the best Disney movie library out there. With classics like The Little Mermaid and awesome programming like the WandaVision, Disney+ has a lot to offer for anyone who needs a little extra streaming magic.

Our top equipment picks

If you don't want to go through the hassle of buying a subscription card in person, or you don't happen to live near a Disney Store or any of the parks, you can still grab a Disney+ subscription online. Plus, if you don't want to commit to the entire year, you can pay monthly or test out the service with a seven-day free trial. Just keep in mind, if you do sign up and you receive a subscription card, you won't be able to use it if you already have an account.

What you need to know

• Disney+ has added a new general entertainment channel under the Star brand.
• The new Star brand is home to a large collection of movies and TV shows from Disney Television Studios, 20th Century Studios, 20th Television, ABC, Searchlight Pictures, and more.
• Along with the Star Brand, Disney+ has also introduced new parental controls, allowing users to limit access to content for specific profiles.

Just as promised, Disney+ today added a new general entertainment channel for its subscribers under the Star brand. The dedicated Star brand page can now be accessed for free by users in Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and Singapore.

The new Star brand page in the Disney+ app brings a huge library of movies and TV shows from Disney Television Studios, FX Productions, 20th Century Studios, Searchlight Pictures, and more to subscribers outside the U.S. These include popular TV series like Grey's Anatomy, 24, The X-Files, Lost, and Family Guy. Star also offers brand-new originals such as Big Sky Kelley, Love, Simon spin-off series Love, Victor, adult animated sitcom Solar Opposites, and drama series Helstrom.

While you won't have to pay extra for the new content under the Star brand, Disney+ is getting a price hike in regions where the brand has been launched. In the UK, the price is going up from £5.99 to £7.99 per month, or £59.99 to £79.90. However, if you are an existing Disney+ subscriber, you will continue to pay the existing price until August.

Disney+ says the Star will expand to Eastern Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea later this year. In Latin America, Star will be offered as a separate streaming service, Star+.

Along with the new Star brand, Disney+ has also introduced new parental controls to its app, which allow you to limit access to content for profiles and even add a PIN to lock profiles with access to mature content.

Update: Tomorrow's the big day! Disney+ is raising its price in many countries around the world starting on February 23. Make sure to sign up for an annual membership today to take advantage of the current low price before it disappears forever!

After spending more than a year at its debut price, Disney+ will see its monthly and annual subscription prices rise for the very first time beginning in select countries on February 23. This move comes as the service unveils the 'Star on Disney+' section of the site in many regions which incorporates content from Disney Television Studios, 20th Century Studios, 20th Television, ABC, Searchlight Pictures, and more.

Star on Disney+ won't be coming to the United States, as much of the content is already available to stream on Hulu. However, viewers in the United States will also see a Disney+ price increase come late March. If you're not a subscriber yet or if you want to take advantage of the low price while you still can, signing up for an annual membership right now allows you to lock in the current low price for 12 months.

Along with the iconic Disney movies and animated films we've all come to know and love, Disney+ includes a wide selection of shows and films from the Disney Channel, Marvel Studios, Star Wars, and National Geographic, as well as the entire slate of Pixar feature films like Finding Nemo, Toy Story, and the recently-released Soul. There are also original shows and films you can't watch anywhere else, like The Mandalorian and Hamilton. Your subscription unlocks the ability to stream even when you're away from home; just download the Disney+ app on your smartphone or tablet to begin watching wherever you go.

UK-based readers have the greatest incentive to sign up before the price increase. Even if you select the monthly subscription plan at £5.99 per month, Disney+ allows you to lock in that low price through August 23. Alternatively, signing up for an annual subscription plan helps you save a bit more on the cost for an even longer period of time.

In the U.S., the Disney+ / Hulu / ESPN+ bundle subscription will also see a price increase by $1 from $12.99 to $13.99 per month for the Limited Commercials plan and from $17.99 to $18.99 per month for the No Commercials plan. However, U.S. customers won't see a price increase for Disney+ or these bundled plans until March 26.

Disney+ price increase by country

What you need to know

• Disney+ has surpassed 94.9 million subscribers globally.
• Disney expects its streaming service to have over 260 million subscribers by 2024.
• The company had initially set a goal to hit 90 million subscribers by 2024.

Walt Disney's Disney+ streaming service now has over 94.9 million subscribers globally. The company revealed the number in its earnings report for the December quarter (via WhatToWatch).

Disney had initially expected to hit 90 million subscribers only by 2024. As announced by the company in December last year, it now expects Disney+ to have between 230 million to 260 million subscribers by 2024.

Disney's other streaming platforms also witnessed strong growth during the December quarter. Hulu now has 39.4 million subscribers, while ESPN+ is at 12.1 million subscribers. While Disney+ has seen a massive increase in popularity since it first launched in November 2019, it still remains far behind Netflix, which currently has around 204 million subscribers globally.

Disney's average revenue per user dropped to $4.03 in the December quarter, which could be a cause for concern for the company. When Disney+ first launched, its average revenue per user was $5.56. The most significant reason behind the drop in average revenue per user is the fact that existing Hotstar subscribers in India can access Disney+ content for less than two dollars a month. It is worth noting, however, that Disney+ Hotstar subscribers make up approximately one-third of the platform's global subscriber base. ESPN+ and Hulu, on the other hand, saw a 26% growth in average monthly revenue per user during the quarter.

Disney is currently working on bringing over 80 new movies and shows to Disney+, including a dozen Marvel series and ten Star Wars series.

With hundreds of films from the most popular franchises on the planet — not to mention thousands of TV episodes from our childhood — it's little wonder that Disney+ is popular. However, when errors invade your movie marathon, things are anything but magical. There's a few different errors Disney+ can spit out when things go awry, but Error 83 is by far the most prevalent Disney+ error you come across. Here's a few of the reasons you may be seeing it, and what you can do about it.

Reason #1 — Server timeout

Error 83 is one of the most common errors. When the servers are overloaded and your Disney+ session can't connect to the servers fast enough to pass a DRM/account check — or can't connect at all — Error 83 is what Disney+ displays when it can't play your video as requested.

This is far and away the most common reason to see Error 83, and dealing with it can take a few forms:

• Try again. Server issues are usually intermittent, so if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Refreshing your browser page or closing and re-opening an app can usually get you past Error 83 and into the content you crave. Turning your device off for one minute and turning it back on can help fix some wonk that will trigger Error 83.
• Widespread issue? If you're hearing of widespread outages through social media or sites like DownDetector, then you might just need to go take a walk and wait for things to get back to normal. These tend to happen around the launch of Disney+ in a new batch of countries or when a big release hits the service, like when Hamilton launched on July 3, but events on ESPN+ can take out Disney+, too, since they use the same platform, so if you're having issues on a UFC Fight Night, chances are ESPN+ died and took D+ with it.
• On an iPhone? There has been some limited success turning off Wi-Fi and streaming over LTE instead at times, but that's not really helpful unless you have an Unlimited data plan.

• First time watching on a laptop? The first time you try to watch in a browser, you'll usually get a prompt asking to let Disney+ check the eligibility of your device for playback. By the time you click "Allow" and let the DRM check go through, it's usually timed out and will spit out Error 83. When this happens, click "Dismiss" and then try to watch any video again. It should go through the second time — and every time after.
• Getting Error 83 for days and days? Perpetual Error 83 messages could be a sign of your IP being blocked by Disney+ for whatever reason. You can contact Disney+ support to see if you can get it unblocked or contact your ISP and ask to be assigned a new IP, but there's no real easy surefire answer for this problem.

If you live in an area with congested internet that's more prone to regional server overloads, you may want to keep a few favorite shows and films downloaded on your phone through the Disney+ Android or iOS apps. Then you can still watch some Disney+ when the servers aren't playing nice.

Reason 2 — Incompatible platform

Error 83 is seen on a variety of laptop and desktop computers that can't pass the DRM check that Disney+ requires before it begins playing videos. These days, it's more likely that the DRM failure is a server-side timeout rather than a device-related one, as we saw more during the early days of Disney+, but there are a few things that can cause DRM failures on your side rather than Disney's:

• Linux support can still be flaky. Disney+ wasn't supported on Linux at launch due to how stringent the DRM restrictions were, but things seem to be working on at least some distributions, specifically Ubuntu. You might need to double-check which browser you're trying to use, too.
• Disney+ only lists support for a couple of the more popular desktop browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Explorer, and Apple Safari. If you're not using one of these, try Chrome instead.
• Browsers on entertainment consoles and Smart TVs aren't supported. If a Disney+ app isn't available for your console or TV, try Chromecast or AirPlay instead to get it on your TV.

Unfortunately, for this incompatibility, you'll likely have to switch to a different device in order to get around it. This isn't a satisfying workaround, but it's all we got, but please, go leave feedback with Disney+ so that they have more incentive to fix things.

What you need to know

• If you're on the west coast, you may be experiencing issues with Disney+, ESPN+, and UFC's services going down.
• UFC 257 is tonight with the rematch for McGregor vs. Poirier, a fight that was bound to draw a crowd.
• Chances are things will resolve in the next two to four hours, not that it helps anyone trying to catch the fight.

No, it's not you. Disney+ and ESPN+ are out for much of the U.S. west coast right now, right in the middle of UFC 257. UFC and ESPN are also experiencing difficulties right now according to Downdetector and a flood of outraged tweets from fans unable to get into tonight's fight.

Because tonight was a bigger UFC fight night than usual, ESPN+ has been experiencing a higher load on its payment and login servers, and that culminated with server crashes and thousands getting locked out of tonight's fight after paying for the stream. Tonight was UFC 257, the rematch of McGregor vs Poirier.

They're obviously working to get things back up as quickly as possible, but if you're having issues getting into ESPN+ or Disney+, just know you're not alone in seeing Error 83. Disney+ runs on the same core platform that ESPN+ uses, so it's not terribly surprising that the fight took out both services, but for Disney+, at least you're not on a time crunch. Call it an early night and watch the new WandaVision in the morning.

If you're trying to get into the fight, keep trying every few minutes and contact ESPN+ Help on Twitter to see about getting updates. Sorry, but servers aren't magic, when they break under high load, they take time to get back up.

Currenly, Disney does not offer a Disney+ free trial. When the service first launched, Disney offered a free 7-day trial for customers to try out the service, though that has since been discountinued. Right now, you can sign up for a monthly plan with no commitment and try it out with the freedom to cancel at any time.

Sign up for Disney+ now

It's been a year and some change since the Disney Plus streaming service first launched, and while many aspects of it have improved over time, there is one part that got arguably worse. When it was first released, there was a Disney+ free trial, but unfortunately Disney made the decision to remove the 7-day free trial a few months later. As it stands now, Disney still is not offering a free trial.

The original free trial was available to all new subscribers and would give you access to the full catalog of movies, shows, and short films availalbe on Disney+. It was a great way to try out the service and see if the content was right for you, but after maturing a bit as a service and people growing more familiar with it, it seems as though Disney didn't see the value with keeping it around.

The Disney+ price varies depending which option you sign up for, but the base monthly cost starts at $6.99 right now.

Will there be another Disney+ free trial?

Disney has not announced any plans to bring back the free trial in any capacity in the future. The decision to remove the trial was not something that Disney announced, it was just simply removed quietly in the background. This does mean that it could be possible that one day Disney could decide to offer another trial, but as it stands now we don't think that's too likely.

How long was the Disney+ free trial?

At launch, Disney offered a one week free trial of the service, which meant that you could access everything on its streaming platform for seven days without any payment. You did need to sign up for a plan, which auto-renewed, but Disney doesn't have any commitments, so you could cancel after the trial if you wanted and never be charged anything for using it.

What plan options does Disney offer currently for Disney+?

Right now you can sign up for Disney+ on a monthly or annual basis. The service costs $6.99 or $69.99 respectively for these options, but Disney has announced that effective March 2021 the plans will be going up in cost by $1 per month. In addition to being able to get Disney+ on its own, you can also bundle it with ESPN+ and Hulu with prices starting at $12.99 per month.

With either the standalone plan or the bundle you get access to the same Disney+ library of content, and both can be canceled at any time with no penalty. There are no long-term commitments required, though you can obviously prepay for a year of access in order to get a cheaper price if you wanted.

You can get 30-days free from Xbox Game Pass

For a limited time, Xbox has an added perk for subscribers of its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate which scores you a free 30-days of access to Disney+. That's right, the Xbox team announced this back in November and you have until January 31 to claim your free 30 days of access. Subscribers will need to go to the Perks Gallery on an Xbox console or via the Xbox app on iOS or Android to claim it and get started.

If you aren't already a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber, you can sign up for 3 months for $1 right now. That means you get all the access that Game Pass brings for 90 days and 30 days of Disney+ all for just $1.

What you need to know

• Disney+ is adding The Muppets to its streaming catalog in February.
• All five seasons of the show will arrive on February 19, one month from today.
• It's unclear if these episodes will be the originals or if Season One will be the edited versions due to music licensing.

Muppets fans, rejoice! After having basically every series except the one that started it all, The Muppet Show is coming to Disney+. This was one of the bigger gaps left in Disney+'s backcatalog content — well, except for a literal mountain of early Disney Channel and ABC Saturday Morning cartoons — and it is being filled on the third Friday in February, the 19th.

The Muppet Show ran for five seasons and was an international sensation — even though Jim Henson had to go to England to make it after U.S. networks passed on the project — building the puppet series into a global and enduring sensation that has produced several iconic films, shows, television and of course let's not forget all the fabulous merchandise. The Muppets appealed to a wider audience than their Sesame Street pals, and they were able to play in a wider array of comedy and parody styles, not to mention drawing in big names that were begging just for the chance to get in on the Muppets antics.

Because this show was produced decades before Disney acquired them — and before anyone could even conceive of digital streaming rights — when The Muppets Show released on DVD in the 2000s after the Disney purchase, several songs and bits were cut or edited down due to rights issues for music. Well, it's been fifteen years and Disney's right lawyers have certainly been busy little bees clearing content for its tentpole streaming service, so chances are good that we'll finally be able to watch every song and scene just as they appeared in the 70s.

If you're wanting to brush up on your Muppets before the original brings up the curtain next month, you can binge your way through The Muppets Collection on Disney+ right now, which should give you just enough time to get those ridiculously catchy songs from Muppet Treason Island out of your head by February 19.

Disney+

Disney Plus offers an unparalleled selection of content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and beyond. With several new original series already set to premiere and the impending launch of the Star brand and Star Plus app for international audiences in 2021, Disney Plus may be the service to beat. So when it comes to Disney Plus vs. Netflix, which should you subscribe to?

Netflix

One of the first streaming services, Netflix has redefined how we view TV and movies. While the loss of Disney-owned properties has taken a bite out of Netflix's library, it still dwarfs Disney Plus, but more isn't always better.

Disney Plus offers some of the highest-rated movies and shows in the world. Its monthly subscription fee is cheaper, and it offers an annual fee that can save consumers even more. It's also the only source for the vast majority of Disney-owned content right now, with even more content leaving Netflix and other competing platforms over the next couple of years. If you were only going to pick one streaming service, Disney Plus would be the winner for most folks, but the ongoing "streaming wars" aren't a zero-sum game.

Prices and features

If you're picking one of these streaming plans over the other, chances are that it's about not being able to justify paying for two streaming services. In this regard, Disney has been very aggressive with its pricing against Netflix's trio of plans. Whereas 4K streaming and four concurrent streams require the $18/month Netflix Premium, you can pay half that price for the same 4K streaming and four concurrent streams on Disney Plus — or less than half if you opt for the yearly billing rather than monthly. This remains true when you consider that, beginning in March 2021, Disney Plus will raise its subscription fees to $8 per month or $80 a year.

Neither Disney Plus nor Netflix currently offers a free trial period, but that won't be nearly as big a deciding factor for most of us instead of the high number of concurrent streams and user profiles. Netflix's five-profile limit has been a huge limitation for larger families. Disney Plus allows for seven profiles, which gives families more breathing room rather than forcing the kids to all share a single Kids profile.

4K streaming is included for all Disney Plus subscribers. While Disney Plus was not available on Amazon Fire tablets when it first launched in November 2019, all tablet models running Fire OS 5.0 and later are now supported by Disney Plus. Disney Plus is now also available on Amazon Fire TV sticks. As such, the streaming service is currently compatible with nearly the same amount of mobile devices, tablets, smart TVs, and game consoles as Netflix.

Content: A tale of two massive media libraries

Having been in the streaming business as long as Netflix has, it makes sense that its library would dwarf most, if not all, of the competition. While Netflix has had a noticeable bite taken out of its library with Disney opting not to extend its contracts, Netflix still has more than 47,000 episodes of television shows and over 4,000 movies. Disney Plus launched with 7,500 episodes of television shows and about 500 movies, less than a fifth the size of Netflix's library, but is only growing.

That said, as anyone who's ever surfed Netflix will no doubt tell you, that massive library doesn't mean much if most of it's trash. While there are thousands of titles absolutely worth losing days and nights of your short life to on Netflix, you'll have to dig through about 2-3 times the chaff to get to the kernels of goodness.

Disney's got plenty of old films on Disney Plus that probably aren't worth the server space they're taking up, but the quality ratio on Disney is much higher than Netflix, especially if you have a child or child-at-heart in the house.

Disney Plus isn't just for kids, though: some of the biggest blockbusters on the planet are on here like Avengers: Endgame, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Avatar, Black Panther, Toy Story 4, Pirates of the Caribbean, Soul — films that drew in just as many adults as they did kids. Disney Plus is also home to Star Wars: The Mandalorian, the series about bounty hunters and lawlessness after the Empire's collapse. The streaming service also has plans to premiere several Star Wars-adjacent and Marvel spinoff series within the next two years.

Disney also plans to launch its new Star brand and Star Plus streaming app in 2021. Launching in select European countries, Canada, and New Zealand on February 23, Star will serve as a free tier within the Disney Plus app. It will carry content from Disney's other non-franchise owned brands, including shows from FX and movies from 20th Century. Star Plus will launch exclusively in Latin America in June 2021 as a standalone streaming service. That service will carry Disney-owned content from its top brands, as well as linear sports content from ESPN and ESPN Plus. Star Plus will cost $7.50 per month (or the local equivalent) or as part of a bundle with Disney Plus for $9 per month (or the local equivalent). It's unclear at this time how the Star and Star plus brands will impact the Disney-owned Hulu brand.

Netflix has a huge, if slightly shrinking, amount of content for you to watch, but Disney Plus has it beat on average quality. If you prefer to mostly watch mature content, you'd probably be better off with Hulu. Still, considering you can get the Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney Plus bundle for less than a Netflix Premium subscription, Disney comes out ahead in that fight.

So, Disney+ or Netflix?

Both of these streaming services will provide countless hours of entertainment, and both will offer programming the other cannot. As a result, many will choose to pay for both. Fortunately, with the number of ways you can get Disney Plus, or Netflix included with another service, you may not have to choose at all:

• If you're a T-Mobile customer, you can already get Netflix for free.
• If Verizon is your current wireless provider, you can get a year of Disney+ for free.
• Disney currently offers a bundle of Disney+, ESPN+, and basic Hulu for $13/month on Nov. 12, which is less than Netflix's 4K Premium plan.

There are definite benefits and pitfalls to both services, but in the cordcutting age, Netflix and Disney Plus are going to be fighting for your screen time more than they're fighting for your money. You can subscribe to both services and still pay far less than cable, but at the end of the day, you can only watch one stream at a time. Disney Plus has my eyeballs and undivided attention as I dive into all the old TV shows I haven't been able to find online since they stopped airing in the late '90s.

Zoom cocktail hours aren't the only virtual hangouts that have gained traction in the last year. Following Netflix's rollout of Teleparty — formerly Netflix Party — earlier this year, Disney recently launched GroupWatch, its own version of the digital watch party on Disney Plus. Are you planning on spending the night on your couch, streaming a new movie or series with friends? Here's the full rundown on how to host a group watch party on Disney Plus.

Products used in this guide

• Where to stream: Disney+ (From $7/month at Disney)

How to host a virtual GroupWatch party on Disney Plus

The GroupWatch feature allows Disney Plus users to watch any title on the streaming service with friends and family virtually. GroupWatch will sync streams so that you can easily watch together, even when you're in different locations. This can be done by accessing the app via your computer or on your mobile device. We'll start with a step-by-step guide on how to use the GroupWatch feature when accessing Disney Plus through your web browser.

1. Go to DisneyPlus.com and log into your account.
2. Search for the movie or series you want to watch. Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central

1. Select the GroupWatch icon on the title Details page.
2. Select Invite in the GroupWatch room to get an invite link. Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central

1. Click Copy Link and share it with friends or family members you'd like to include.

You can also take advantage of GroupWatch via the Disney+ mobile app.

Hosting a GroupWatch on your mobile device

Hosting a GroupWatch party while using the Disney Plus mobile app works a bit differently from operating the streaming platform on your computer. Here's how.

1. Go to DisneyPlus.com or the Disney Plus app and log into your account.
2. Search for the movie or series you want to watch. Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central

1. Select the GroupWatch icon on the Title Details page.
2. Select Invite in the GroupWatch room to get an invite link. Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central

1. Select your preferred method for sharing the invite link.
2. Share the link with friends or family members you'd like to include.

Users who would rather experience a GroupWatch party on a larger screen can do just that by transferring to their HDTV.

How to transfer your GroupWatch to your HDTV

After accepting a GroupWatch invite through the Disney Plus web or mobile app, you can transfer the viewing experience to your preferred TV or monitor. This is what you'll need to do.

1. Log into Disney Plus through your HDTV, game console, or connected streaming device.
2. Search for the title of the GroupWatch that you've joined.

1. Navigate to that title Details page.
2. Select the GroupWatch icon and choose Join Stream.

Once you've joined the GroupWatch party on your TV, you'll be able to continue sharing reactions through the Disney+ mobile app as long as you're logged in with the same profile.

What you'll need to get started

Hosting a GroupWatch is pretty simple, and once you get the hang of it, it should only take a few minutes to set up. GroupWatch currently allows the host to invite six additional people across four different profiles to join the group. Unfortunately, at this time, kids' profiles cannot participate in a GroupWatch.

It's also worth noting that anyone participating in the Disney Plus GroupWatch, not just the host, can control the viewing. This means any participant can pause, play, fast forward, or rewind the content during the event and show who is in control. Individual participants can also change the audio or subtitle language to apply to their viewing experience without affecting the rest of the group. So, hop in GroupWatch and get ready to stream!

The end of the year is here and for those who have cut the cord, you don't have to miss out on all the holiday classics that would be replaying on TV during December. Disney+ has so many great holiday episodes and movies available to watch this year to get the whole family in the holiday spirit.

We've already shared a list of some of the best shows and movies to watch on Disney+, but now that it's December, you might be looking for something a bit more festive to turn on. We've got you covered with nine of the best holiday episodes you can watch on Disney+ this month.

Give Disney+ as a gift subscription

Disney+ has a great way you can share the service with another friend or family member. This holiday season, you can buy a gift subscription for $69.99 and have it delivered via email on the day of your choosing! The subscription gives your recipient an entire year of access to Disney+, and once the year is over, they'll have the option of adding in their payment info to continue the subscription. There's no risk of it charging you again.

Best holiday episodes to watch on Disney+ today

Whether you're looking for something old or new, animated or live-action, Disney+ has some of the best holiday episodes to watch with the family that are streaming this month. Below are just nine of our favorites among the many others available to stream with your Disney+ membership.

What is Disney+ and how do I sign up?

If you aren't familiar with Disney+ or have been holding out on signing up, now's the time to learn more and get a subscription started — especially as membership costs will be rising to $8 next spring. The service brings pretty much the full collection of shows and movies from Disney, Pixar, Nat Geo, Marvel, and more together for a low montly cost that doesn't require a long-term commitment.

You can get started with a Disney Plus subscription for just $6.99 per month, or combine it with Hulu and ESPN+ for just $12.99 a month. Both give you access to the same Disney+ library, but obviously the bundle just gives you more services to watch.

Any personal favorites we missed?

There's an extensive catalog of content on Disney+ (not to mention a bunch of holiday episodes of The Simpsons), so we've no doubt missed a few must-see episodes. Is there a favorite of yours that's not on the list? Drop a comment below and let us know what's worth watching!

What you need to know

• Marvel gave updates on its robust roster of films and shows at the end of Disney Investor Day.
• We got trailers for four Marvel shows headed for Disney+ including the What If...? animated anthology.
• Kevin Feige confirmed that Black Panther will not be recast but Black Panther II will continue Chadwick Boseman's legacy and tell new stories in Wakanda.

Wow. Disney Investor Day was like Comi-Con but without having to stand in lines for twelve hours to get into Hall H. Not only is Disney+ getting a lot of new content — and its first price increase — and if the slate of new Star Wars shows felt like it was too much awesome at one time, take a look at all the Marvel goodies we got today.

Marvel Original Shows

• WandaVision is just around the corner and got a brand new trailer that gets a little more in-depth into just what the frak is going on in this TV pocket dimension that Wanda seems to have found herself with a seemingly alive-again Vision.
• Falcon and the Winter is still coming in March 2021 and it got an exclusive first look for Investor Day that seems to show Falcon not putting on Cap's shield after being given it at the end of Endgame. He seeks out Bucky Barnes to help him on some high-flying missions around the globe.

• Loki got an exclusive clip that finally starts to give us some story feel — and a look at the rest of the cast, including Owen Wilson who I have a feeling I'm going to absolutely adore because he gives just as good as he gets in that elevator scene. Seeing as this Loki story takes place in the offshoot timeline, we're getting another big dose of "big bad showboating Loki", and we'll get to start that ride in May 2021.
• What If...? has been a loooooong time coming and we finally got a look at the animation style being used for this anthology series hosted by The Watcher, a Marvel character who will show the audience various alternate timelines where small changes lead to some very interesting new stories.
• Ms. Marvel gave us a sizzle reel since they've still early in production — the mention conducting interviews virtually during the pandemic — but they have their star and they have dedicated directors for this series coming to Disney+ in late 2021.

• Hawkeye is still in production and still slated for late 2021, but Kevin Feige confirmed that Haylee Steinfeld is playing Kate Bishop, who Hawkeye will be mentoring in the show. Vera Farmiga, Fra Free, and newcomer Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez are joining the cast, and the series will be directed by Rhys Thomas and duo Bert and Bertie.
• She-Hulk has cast Tatiana Maslany as its title character for the comedy series, where She-Hulk tries to be taken seriously as a professional while being, well... huge and green. It's good to hear that both Mark Ruffalo's Hulk and especially Tim Roth's Abomination will be showing up in the series, and Feige hinted at other cameos throughout the show since Jennifer Walters is a lawyer.
• Moon Knight is still coming, but we didn't really get any new details today.
• Secret invasion was freshly announced today, and I'm pleased as punch because it's going to see the return of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. Avid readers will recognize Secret Invasion as one of the biggest comic events in the Marvel comic universe, and it's unknown how much of a crossover it might be here.
• Ironheart is getting a series, too, and Dominique Thorne will play Riri Williams. I adore Ironheart and I'm so happy to see her getting a Disney+ series, though it's presumably three years out or more.
• Armor Wars was another new series, and it will be starring Don Cheadle as War Machine who is dealing with one of Tony Stark's worst nightmares: his tech falling into the wrong hands and the world paying the price for it.
• It's not really a show, but we're getting a Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, directed and written by James Gunn that will be shot alongside Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and released for the 2022 Holiday season.
• Also in the GOTG vein, Groot is getting a shorts series titled I am Groot, because what else would you call a Groot series?

Marvel Films

This trailer is from 9 months ago, but the movie's still not out...

• Black Widow is still bound for theaters — I guess since we've waited this long — and it is arriving May 7, 2021.
• Shang Chi and the Ten Rings will kick off Phase 4 in theaters on July 9, 2021. Production has wrapped on the film so now it's a matter of post-production (and theaters being safe to go to again).

• Captain Marvel 2 will have Ms. Marvel in it, as well as Monica Rambeau played by Teyonah Parris, who will debut that character in WandaVision.
• Eternals is still in the pipeline, the star-studded cast was already set and the release date is now November 5, 2021.
• Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness is filming right now for a March 2022 release date. Xochitl Gomez is joining the cast as America Chavez and Sam Raimi is directing the film which will tie into both WandaVision and "the next Spider-Man film".
• Thor: Love and Thunder starts filming next month and has a theatrical release date of May 6, 2022. Christian Bale is joining the cast as the film's villain Gorr the God Butcher. I'm sorry, could this movie get any more weird and awesome?
• Blade is still coming and Mahershala Ali is still the title character. Still not date, but that's not a big deal.

• The title for the third Ant-Man film is Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. This will likely be the first big lynchpin of Phase 4 as the cast includes Kathryn Newton as Cassie Lang and Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror!!
• Kevin Feige acknowledged Chadwick Boseman's irreplaceable portrayal of the Black Panther and confirmed that no, the character will not be recast. Black Panther II will "explore the world of Wakanda & the rich characters introduced in the first film" instead.

• There's another Fantastic 4 film in development — hey, one of these days they gotta get it right, right???

Wow, that was a lot. I'm gonna go lie down before I pass out from too much awesome — you guys saw all those new Disney shows coming in the next three years, too, right?!?! — but it's worth mentioning that if you're a Marvel fan and not a Disney+ subscriber you're going to majorly miss out as Phase 4 features much more interconnectivity between the shows and movies than previous attempts (sorry, Agents of SHIELD), so if you haven't subscribed yet, time to lock into the yearly rate for the best Disney+ deal before the price goes up!

What you need to know

• Disney Investor Day brought us the biggest expansion of the Star Wars universe since Disney first acquired Lucasfilm.
• There will be ten new series in the Star Wars universe coming in the next few years on Disney+.
• Rangers of the New Republic and Ahsoka are new series in the same universe as The Mandalorian, and they will combine in a storytelling event.
• We also got confirmation that Hayden Christensen is returning to the role of Anakin Skywalker in the Kenobi mini-series!

Disney Investor Day may not sound fun — and, yeah, it's not as awesome as a day at Galaxy's Edge — but this day is important in that it's a multi-hour sizzle reel of upcoming content that Disney has planned in the near future. While today mostly focused on Disney+ and the future of ESPN+, Hulu and the coming global expansion of Star (formerly HotStar), there was great news for Star Wars fans: we're getting a lot more new content in the coming years.

First off, we're getting ten new Star Wars series on Disney+ in the next few years. That number includes the Kenobi mini-series — which Hayden Christensen will be reprising his role as Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader in — and the upcoming Andor, around Casian Andor from Rogue One. We're also getting two newly-announced series: Rangers of the New Republic and Ahsoka, which give Ahsoka Tano a show of her own after having to share with Anakin and Obi-Wan for so many years!

Source: Disney

Speaking of the Clone Wars, the Bad Batch are getting an animated spin-off series after their debut in Season 7, and the trailer looks promising and fun. This show is set immediately after Order 66 and covers the swap-over from the Republic to the Empire, and has the Bad Batch carrying out a variety of diverse and exhilarating missions for their Empire overlords.

In Visions, we'll get a series of animated shorts "celebrating the Star Wars universe" through the lens of anime — somebody, pinch me, Star Wars anime sounds so dope — and Droid Story. And ILM's famous effects teams work together to build an action-adventure movie with everyone's favorite droids: R2-D2 and C-3PO. Other live-action upcoming shows include Lando — which has a fabulous 80s vibe and I am so ready to see the first look for — and The Acolyte, which will be a look into the dark side of the Force and the last days of the Old Republic.

Rogue Squadron will be the next theatrical film in the Star Wars universe, coming Christmas 2022 and directed by Patty Jenkins, director of Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984. Jenkins is super-passionate about fighter pilots, and she released a teaser on Twitter.

Disney+ will, of course, be where everything announced today will eventually end up, and if you haven't gotten on that bandwagon just yet, now's the time to pick the best Disney+ deal and get into the magic.

What you need to know

• The next Disney+ Premier Access film will be Raya and the Last Dragon on March 5.
• Raya and the Last Dragon will launch on Disney+ at the same time it launches in theaters.
• A price change was not mentioned, so it seems it will be a flat $30 fee to unlock just as Mulan was.

The pandemic and the continued closure of theaters in many markets have pushed back movie releases long enough, and Disney will be launching Raya and the Last Dragon on March 5 as a Disney+ Premier Access title, the same day it releases in theaters. Like the previous Premier Access movie, Mulan, Raya will be a one-time $30 upcharge fee that unlocks the movie for as long as you subscribe to the service.

Raya's first theatrical trailer launched back in October and gave us an adorably badass look at one of our two title characters as well as her rotund sidekick, Tuk Tuk, which goes from tiny trap-springer to massive mount over the course of Raya's training to become a proud warrior. We got some quick glimpses at Raya's world in this trailer, but we still don't quite know what's going to kick off her epic quest to find "the last dragon".

I don't know about you, but I'm pleased as punch to be able to watch this from the comfort of my couch rather than having to go to a theater in four months — when we'll only just be seeing vaccinations starting in the U.S. and cases will still likely be high. If you're not wanting to pay extra for a movie that'll eventually be available for all Disney+ subscribers, that's fine; the delay between Premier Access and wide release seems to be 3-4 months.

If you haven't subscribed to Disney+ yet, there are great Disney+ deals to be found, especially for Verizon customers and through bundles.

While the vaccine has started to be approved in a few countries, it's going to take months if not years for everyone to get it and we'll all be wearing masks for at least the next 8 months, so do yourself a favor and ditch the uncomfortable (and environmentally disastrous) disposable face masks and buy you some comfy face masks from Disney, who has put a dozen of its mask packs down to their lowest prices ever. This includes their cute holiday packs as well as packs for Pixar, Star Wars, Classic Mickey Mouse and of course Marvel superheroes.

Because wearing your mask properly over your nose and mouth is the heroic thing to do in the middle of a global pandemic. So wear cute masks and let's save the world!

I have a couple of the mask packs that are on sale today — and am now kicking myself for not waiting for a sale like this to pop up — and I can testify that these masks are soft, comfortable, and easy to wear for long periods of time including during workouts. I walked 9 miles around the Magic Kingdom earlier this week in the holiday mask you see here. They're easy to wash and haven't shrunk up in the wash the way that Disney's first cotton masks were more prone to.

If you're wondering about sizing, here's the long and the short of it: if you're over age 9, you're probably going to need the "Adult Large". Adult men with wider heads or larger mouths will want to buy the Adult Extra Large. Youth Small is for toddlers — after all, Disney requires guests ages 2 and up to wear masks in the parks — and the Youth Medium is for younger grade-school kids. When it doubt, order a size larger and then just tie the ear-loops back and bit.

As an extra note, if you wear glasses — or if you're just tired of your masks slipping down off your nose when talking — do yourself a solid and grab this multi-pack of stick-on aluminum nose strips. I've worn these on my Disney masks since my first batch arrived, and I can peel them up and swap them between masks as I go through the week since I'll have to take them off before I run the masks through the washing machine anyway. They help improve fit, they help reduce mask slippage on tighter masks, and they'll help you avoid fogging up your glasses, so they're worth every penny of that $6, especially when you're getting 100 in a pack.

The holidays are our favorite time of the year, and to us, they go hand-in-hand with some of our favorite Disney memories. If you are shopping for Amazon devices this Black Friday, or if you have some around your house that need sprucing up, consider adding a festive Disney accessory to your Echo smart speaker or Fire tablet device. Here are the best Black Friday deals we've found so far on Disney accessories for your Amazon devices.

Echo Dot (3rd Gen) The Child stand | Save $26 at Amazon

Add Baby Yoda ears to your Echo Dot and experience The Mandalorian every day! Combine that with the best-ever price on an Echo Dot (3rd Gen), and you've got the perfect stocking stuffers!

• $38 at Amazon

We've already seen dozens of great Black Friday deals on Amazon devices, and as we come across more Disney accessories, we'll be sure to add them here.

Best Black Friday deals on Disney accessories for your Amazon Devices

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What you need to know

• Disney announced its Q4 fiscal quarter earnings, with a slight gain in revenue.
• Disney Plus grew its total paid subscriber base to 73 million.
• Some divisions saw a loss in revenue related to the global effects of the pandemic.

Disney reported its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings today, which boosted growth in some areas and losses in others. Shares were up as much as 6% for the company though, as losses were not as deep as expected. To start, there was a loss per share of only 20 cents versus the expected 71 cent loss. Additionally, Disney reported slightly higher revenue than the expected $14.2 billion, coming in at $14.71 billion.

Disney Plus was a winner, with a total of 73 million subscribers, up from the previous quarter's 57 million, and closing in quick on the goal of 90 million by 2024. An unspecified number of customers were likely attained through promotions, such as Verizon's "Disney+ on Us" which offers a free year to customers on select unlimited plans. Some of those may end up leaving the service in late November, when the year-long promotion ends.

Along with Hulu and ESPN streaming services, which Disney also owns, that puts the company at just over 120 million paid streaming subscribers, closing the gap between Netflix's slowing subscriber base of 195 million.

As theaters were widely closed for safety, Disney's Studio Entertainment division was a 52% drop in revenue to $1.6 billion. Last year Disney had a few blockbusters out such as Aladdin, Captain Marvel, and of course Avengers: Endgame. The most recent release was Mulan, which suffered from poor reception and being forced into a largely digital-only release on Disney Plus for a premium fee. Still, the company's Direct-to-Consumer and International division managed a 41% year to year increase with $4.85 billion in revenue, while Media Networks was also up 11% year over year, securing $7.21 billion.

Disney estimates that pandemic-related costs caused a $2.4 billion hit on the company. Park closures caused an 85% decrease in revenue during the previous quarter. As of Q4, the Parks, Experiences, and Products division is down 61% year over year, and it's estimated that pandemic-related costs will reach $1 billion in 2021. And while many of the parks reopened, such as Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Disneyland park in California remains closed, something CEO Bob Chapek is not too pleased with:

His comments come just as the U.S. is reporting its highest daily recorded cases since the start of the pandemic.

Disney+

With all things Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Fox, National Geographic, and more, Disney+ is your one-stop-shop for endless entertainment for the whole family.

• $7 per month at Disney Plus

What you need to know

• Disney has released a handy rapid-fire recap of The Mandalorian Season One.
• Season 2 premieres on Friday, October 30 on Disney+.
• This upcoming season will follow The Mandalorian as he tries to bring The Child to the remnants of the Jedi Order.

The Mandalorian Season 2 premieres October 30 at midnight PT on Disney+ — that's 3AM Eastern, in case you were debating staying up tomorrow night — and if you don't have 8 hours to binge the first season again, that's perfectly okay! The Star Wars YouTube channel has recapped the first season with a tight little 90-second video, complete with a reminder of what Season 2 is facing at the end. If the video itself doesn't clear up much, here's the Cliff Notes version:

• The Mandalorian is a bounty hunter who takes a job from some Empire remnant named The Client to hunt down a person, which turns out to be The Child. Adopted into the Mandalorian religion after being saved at a young age, The Mandalorian is a very reserved individual with an intensely strong moral code as well as being a very violent and efficient warrior.
• After initially handing The Child over to The Client, The Mandalorian reneges on the deal and kidnaps The Child to keep it away from Empire scientists, killing several Stormtroopers along the way.
• The Child is actually 50 years old — the same species as Jedi Master Yoda, which has a lifespan centuries long — and is an adorable force-using toddler. Like other toddlers, it has a knack for getting into trouble, likes putting everything in its mouth, and has formed a strong emotional connection to its masked guardian.
• The Mandalorian and The Child go on the run across several star systems looking to avoid the bounties that now sit on both of their heads, and after the Season One finale, they know who they are running from: Moff Gideon, a powerful leader of the now-broken Empire that leads squadrons of Death Troopers and possesses the Darksaber, a black lightsaber forged by the first Mandalorian Jedi.

In Season 2, The Armorer (leader of The Mandalorian's tribe and badass, armor-forging woman) decrees that The Mandalorian has to bring The Child "back to its kind", but that doesn't mean finding the rest of his species. Oh, no, that means finding "an order of sorcerers called Jedi", which we are ever-so-hopeful mean that we'll be crossing paths with some Jedi that haven't been seen in live-action yet like Ahsoka Tano or Ezra Bridger. If we see Ahsoka Tano, there's also a very good chance we'll see Sabine Wren, another badass fighter from Mandalore who we know took off with Ahsoka at the end of Star Wars: Rebels.

Whatever comes next, we know two things: this is going to be fun, and there's going to be a lot of fighting involved.

This is the way.

Update, October 20 (09:00 am ET): The outage was only three hours long and Disney+ is now back

What you need to know

• Numerous users in Europe are having issues accessing Disney+ right now.
• Users in the United States don't seem to be having problems, but those in the EU trying to browse the app or watch their fav Disney movies are getting Error 83, which in this case indicates a service outage.
• Outages like these are usually settled in a few hours, but in the meantime, bust out the old Disney VHS tapes and kick it old school!

Disney Plus is gearing up for a busy fall and winter as we're now less than two weeks from The Mandalorian Season 2, but its support teams are currently working to resolve outages in Europe. Numerous reports of Error 83 and difficulties reaching the Disney+ app and website are coming in from across the European Union both on social media and on DownDetector.

The outage seems to be impacting Europe primarily — reports from North America and Asia are low — but users are mostly reporting seeing Error 83 or having issues getting DisneyPlus.com to load on their account. With this kind of outage, your best course of action is either to watch content you've downloaded previously or to simply go to bed and try again in the morning, since it's late into the evening in Europe.

These are the times that it pays to keep some favorite films and episodes downloaded on your phone or tablet. While service outages aren't common for Disney+, it doesn't take much time or space to download a few videos that you can turn to when your internet goes out — or Disney's servers overload, as it seems to be doing right now.

Update, October 20 (9:00 am ET) — It's back

The outage was mercifully only a few hours long (roughly three), and Disney+ access has been restored for all. There are still some complaints here and there on Down Detector, but no more than the usual background issues all services suffer from.

What you need to know

• Disney+ dropped a teaser on Twitter for the Lego Star Wars Holiday Special.
• The animated original special is set to debut on Disney+ starting November 17, 2020.
• The original Star Wars Holiday Special aired on CBS in 1978.

Disney+ dropped a proton torpedo on us via Twitter today when it announced that it is reviving the notorious 1978 classic Star Wars Holiday Special with the help of its partners at LEGO. The teaser image pokes fun at Star Wars lore and features a gift-wrapped LEGO hand with the caption, "To: Luke, From: Your Father."

While this new special gets its name and will draw inspiration from the original Star Wars Holiday Special, Disney and LEGO will update it with the newer batch of characters such as Rey, Finn, Poe, and others who travel back to Chewie's home planet to learn about the mysterious holiday, Life Day.

Most of our readers were likely not alive when the original special aired on CBS back in 1978 — this writer was not yet three and didn't see it until after he'd graduated college — but if you get the chance to find an old copy on VHS or somewhere in the depths of YouTube, I highly encourage you to watch it. For example, did you know that Boba Fett made his debut in a cartoon during the special? Or that Chewbacca had a family beyond Han Solo? Or that Bea Arthur was in it?!

Disney and LEGO have a long history of working together on great Star Wars content, from the animated stories to the popular line of (/lego-star-wars-skywalker-saga-playstation-4-everything-you-need-know) and other platforms.

If you haven't signed up for a Disney+ subscription, now is the time to do so. The service just made its way to Google's Nest Hub smart speakers, and season 2 of The Mandalorian is set to be released in just a few weeks. Get ready to explore a galaxy far, far away, and escape all of the madness of 2020!