Disney begins to inform DisneyLife subs of Disney+ switchover

Disney has begun informing users of its UK-only DisneyLife streaming service that their subscriptions will be migrated to its new Disney+ streamer.

In an email sent to subscribers, the company wrote: “DisneyLife is becoming Disney+.

“It won’t be long before the magic takes over, the Force awakens, and your favourites assemble when DisneyLife becomes Disney+ on Mar‌ch 2‌4. You’ll enjoy even more unmissable entertainment with access to exclusive Originals, films, series and more from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic. All at the new price of just £5.99 a month, or £59.99 a year.”

The announcement confirms comments previously made by a Disney spokesperson to Digital TV Europe.

DisneyLife launched in 2015 at £9.99 per month, but that was later dropped down to £4.99. The service, which contained much of Disney’s animated library but lacked blockbuster titles from the Marvel and Star Wars franchises, was largely considered as an experiment for the company to gauge interest in a dedicated OTT offering.

The consumer appetite for Disney+ in the UK is strong, with it previously being reported that a quarter of Brits intend on signing up for the service.

The news follows the announcement that Disney+ will launch in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, and Switzerland on March 24 – one week earlier than previously announced.

No reason was given by Disney for the pushed-up launch. It is worth noting that Disney’s live action remake of Mulan is set for release on March 27, so it is possible that the company does not want Disney+’s impending launch to overshadow the movie. Disney has recent history in shifting its release schedules, with the company moving an episode of The Mandalorian up by three days in order to avoid it conflicting with the cinematic launch of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Hit animated film Frozen II is also scheduled for release on home media on March 30, so that may have come into Disney’s considerations when pushing up the launch, with the company presumably within its rights to offer the film on Disney+ exclusively during its launch week.