Disney is breaking up with Netflix, launching its own streaming service in 2019

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 09 August 2017

Bad news for Netflix subscribers: just a year after Disney announced that Netflix would be the exclusive home for Disney films, the entertainment overlord is backing away from the deal. Disney plans to pull its films from Netflix, and start its own streaming service in 2019.

The move is a huge blow to Netflix, which has been the only place to stream new release Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars films. These films - currently including Captain America: Civil War, Finding Dory, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens - will stay on Netflix until the end of 2018.

CEO Bob Igor has however said that Disney may continue to license Marvel and Star Wars content to services such as Netflix, so there is a small ray of hope for fans who don't want to add another streaming service to their lives. Disney's slate of Marvel themed Netflix Originals - Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, et al - will also remain on Netflix when 2019 rolls around.

At present, we aren't quite sure how these changes will impact Netflix subscribers in Australia. Disney has said its new home-brand service will be the exclusive place to stream it's theatrical films in the United States, but has not commented on an international availability. However, if you want to be safe, we recommend streaming Aladdin at least once a week. Here are the best plans for doing so.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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