Disney+ Could Be Setting the Tone for Streaming

Streaming platform Disney+ is looking to expand their services, as they have just announced their plans to bring in gaming and shopping opportunities. Disney+ will share more of these plans in the new year, as they hope to bring in more users and drive sales. If successful, Disney+ has the opportunity to be even more competitive with Netflix than ever before.

While Netflix themselves have already explored adding a gaming section to their platform, the streaming service did not quite receive the reactions they had hoped for. Netflix had launched their gaming campaign in late 2021, which saw lukewarm reception. Disney+ benefits from this prior experiment though, as they are able to see what went wrong for Netflix, and learn from their mistakes. Disney+ is also the first major streaming service to take a crack at a gaming expansion following Netflix, while also trying to integrate shopping. 

An enticing aspect of a possible gaming and shopping experience being added to Disney+ is what this means for CTVs. With both shopping and gaming one click away, Disney+ may integrate CTV advertising as a means for streamlining the enjoyment of Disney products. Disney games and products will pertain to the variety of franchises they have the rights to,which is not a short list. Other streaming services may struggle with pulling off gaming and shopping opportunities, as they would first need to obtain the merchandise rights to any franchises or series they intend to profit off of. This may leave Disney+ as the most sensible streaming service, at least for shopping. But for now, while every streaming platform remaining is playing catch-up to Netflix, EMarketer research shows that Disney+ is not behind in ad spending. Disney+ is projected to spend nearly $1.10 billion in advertisements by 2025, to Netflix’s $1.14 billion. Bringing in gaming and shopping aspects to Disney+ will not prove easy for the company, however, with meticulous research and consideration of Netflix’s flaws, they could be looking at a massive expansion, with plenty of opportunity for growth.