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Without The Mandalorian, Is Disney+ Worth Having?
Over 10 million people signed up for Disney+ within the first few days of the launch but others are wondering if the new service is worth subscribing to. The release of The Mandalorian was ultimately the top-selling point for Disney+. With Netflix, Hulu, and an overwhelming amount of new or upcoming services, consumers are understandably taking time to weigh their options.
Before Disney+ launched on November 12, the streamer announced the titles which would be available on the first day, a number that totaled well over 600. On the surface, that seemed like a number that could fill out an appealing catalog of movies and TV. With Disney's decades worth of titles and their acquisition of Star Wars, Marvel, and 20th Century Fox titles, it felt like the streaming service would have plenty of content to attract subscribers. When Disney+ went public, there were around 300 movies and 7,000 TV episodes available.
It was clear from the start that Disney+ would focus on nostalgia, with the inclusion of Disney's animated classics, Disney Channel original movies and TV shows, and a slew of other beloved titles. Those looking for original content might be a tad disappointed. Aside from The Mandalorian, the only other original fictional series made available at launch was High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Add these to the four non-fiction series, a handful of shorts, and two new feature films, Lady and the Tramp and Noelle. That said, The Mandalorian remains as the bright spot in the otherwise underwhelming list of original content thus far. If a Star Wars-related title isn't considered a must-watch, it's probably best to wait until Disney+ builds up its new content.
WHY SOME POTENTIAL SUBSCRIBERS SHOULD HOLD OFF GETTING DISNEY+
With The Mandalorian serving as Disney+'s lone shining star in terms of original programming, it would make sense why some viewers might want to wait before subscribing. Within the next two years, a few dozen titles will be added to the streaming service. Many of those titles are connected to Star Wars or the MCU but quite a few will focus on original ideas. These fresh ideas could be what Disney+ needs to win over new segments of potential subscribers - especially those who may consider not subscribing after the free trial ends - but there's not enough at the moment for non-traditional Disney fans.
The Mandalorian is set to conclude its debut season at the end of December. It's very possible that after the first seasons of the Star Wars series ends, subscribers will drop the service and rejoin when more programming becomes available. Netflix ran into a similar situation with Stranger Things. Each time a new season of the sci-fi series hit, Netflix would see an uptick in subscribers, especially former users who rejoined the service. In order to prevent this type of cyclical subscriber format, Disney+ will need to start steadily rolling out original content.
