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Disney merges its kid-friendly streaming options into a single app
Disney has combined four of its kid-friendly streaming apps into one all-encompassing one called DisneyNOW. It has everything that the separate Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior and Radio Disney apps had, but all of the content is now consolidated under a single main app.
Disney Channel to release 12 original short films online
In an effort to better engage with young audiences, Disney Channel is set to release 12 short-form movies online. The original content is part of a new collection called "Free Period," which will hit Disney Channel's website as well as its apps on mobile devices, connected TVs and set-top boxes like the Apple TV. Free Period (also the name of one of the shorts) will have a presence on YouTube too, where movies are rolling out daily now through August 21st. Disney Channel says these short films offer something for every kid, since they include comedy, mystery and more.
Disney's bringing its own streaming service to the UK
Disney doesn't need any help distributing its content in the UK. Despite recently inking a new deal with Sky, the company has decided to strike out on its own with a new, standalone streaming service called "DisneyLife." It'll launch in November on Android and iOS -- with Airplay and Chromecast support -- and set you back £9.99 per month, in return for thousands of Disney Channel TV episodes and hundreds of Disney-related albums, books and movies. According to the Financial Times, that includes the entire Pixar collection and many Disney classics including The Jungle Book and Snow White.
Disney show to premier on iPad, Kindle Fire
The Disney Company has taken the bold step to release Sheriff Callie's Wild West on iPads and Kindles before it makes it to the more traditional Disney Channel and Disney Junior outlets. The New York Times reports that Disney feels there are enough kids using tablets that the jump is logical. "This is an entirely new approach for us," said Nancy Kanter, executive vice president and general manager of Disney Junior Worldwide, which is aimed at children age 2 to 7. "We have been amazed at how quickly kids have embraced this new technology. We're talking billions of minutes spent watching." The show can be seen on the Watch Disney Junior app on November 24. Then early next year, the show will migrate to cable and satellite TV. The free Disney app lets kids watch some live events and programs on demand.
Apple TV update brings apps for Disney, the Smithsonian, Vevo and The Weather Channel
Rumors that Apple was about to expand the Apple TV's channel selection have just come true -- the company has quietly rolled out apps for the Disney Channel, Disney XD, the Smithsonian, Vevo and The Weather Channel. The new portals deliver the on-demand video you'd expect from their respective services. There are live components, however: Vevo fans get non-stop music videos through Vevo TV, while The Weather Channel jumps to live broadcasts during major storms. Any locally supported channels should appear the next time you use your Apple TV, although you'll need to be a qualifying cable or satellite subscriber to run the Disney apps.
Comcast, Disney TV deal opens up access on multiple screens, tightens VOD strings
A renewal of the carriage agreement between Disney and Comcast has extended the cable company's "TV Everywhere" model, allowing it to offer customers access to "70 services" including all the ABC, Disney and ESPN channels you can name on their TVs, computers and mobile devices. Comcast's blog post notes this access extends both in and outside of the home, a major sticking point for most of the live TV streaming apps offered by cable and satellite companies (with the obvious exception of Dish Network and its Sling integration) so far. Other news mentioned in the press release (included after the break) is that the ABC video on-demand access on Comcast's cable boxes is fast-forward disabled -- no ad skipping. Other than the existing WatchESPN which Comcast customers will now have access to, there are also WatchDisneyChannel, WatchDisneyXD and WatchDisneyJunior services on the way, a part of disney's own multiscreen initiative called TV+. One other note is that for the first time the deal covers retransmission fees for ABC-owned local stations, which used to be free. There's no word on exactly how much money is changing hands as a result, but we'll probably be able to look at our cable bills in the future and see the effect -- hopefully being able to pull in the latest Grey's Anatomy episodes on the go is worth it.
Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus 3D coming to Starz HD July 26
Put fears of missing the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour debut on Disney Channel July 26 at 8 p.m. aside as Starz has announced it will also air the flick, an hour later in SD & HD. Disney hasn't mentioned if the concert will be in HD on its high definition network, so this may give fans (we know you're out there) a chance to check it out before the Blu-ray disc hits shelves in August. It looks like anaglyph (red/blue) technology is what's bringing the 3D, for the necessary goofy looking glasses, either pick them up in a Wal-mart while supplies last or make your own following instructions on the Starz website.
Comcast bringing ABC Family HD / Disney Channel HD to Seattle market
We know, it's growing harder and harder to wait for the half dozen new HD channels to hit Seattle, Washington on March 4th, but maybe this will make things easier (or not). Reportedly, Comcast is getting set to toss in two more high-def options on that fateful day: Disney Channel HD and ABC Family HD. Unfortunately, we've no idea if these two will spread to any other Comcast markets, but there's no harm in hoping, eh?[Thanks, Daniel H.]
High School Musical 2's HD debut is exclusively on DirecTV
Since the most-watched basic cable event ever simply could not be left in standard def, DirecTV is airing High School Musical 2 in HD on August 24. The exclusive broadcast will include three high definition airings with 5.1 surround audio beginning at 6 p.m. If you're somehow unaware of the High School Musical series phenomenon, this is likely caused by not being a girl between the ages of 9-15, or somehow related to one. This preview is just a taste of what to expect when Disney Channel HD launches on DirecTV in early 2008, or when High School Musical 2 is released on Blu-ray in December. We're sure that Zac Efron, Corbin Bleu and the rest are exactly what you had in mind for your new HDTV.
Sirius delights the kiddies with SCV1 backseat TV tuner
Sirius is seriously on a roll today. Clearly not content with debuting its Stiletto 2 and Sportster 4 portable receivers, the satellite powerhouse has officially announced its SCV1, aka Backseat TV, aka The Child-Silencer (our name). If you've ever been on a road-trip with a couple of bundles of joy, you'll understand how helpful this particular technology could be. The new receiver is able to grab both radio and TV signals, allowing it to pull down Nickelodeon, the Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network on TV screens in the backseat (for the joy bundles) while it streams music or talk up front (for you). The system offers a "kid friendly" remote for controlling Backseat content, while the "adult" section is operated by a separate, wired remote. The radio can also be controlled via Sirius-compatible aftermarket headunits. The SCV1 will be available in the 4th quarter of 2007, and will run you $299.99 for the unit, plus an additional $6.99 for TV service each month -- but hey -- that's a small price to pay for a quiet drive.
