The Walt Disney Company has announced that it has acquired majority ownership of BAMTech, LLC, and will be launching its own ESPN-branded sports streaming service in 2018, followed by an entertainment streaming service the following year.
Under the new deal, Disney will end its distribution agreement with Netflix beginning with its 2019 theatrical slate, which includes the likes of Toy Story 4, Frozen 2 and The Lion King. The new streaming service will then become the exclusive U.S. home for subscription video-on-demand content from Disney and Pixar, as well as a library of content from The Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD, as well as new original movies, TV shows, short-form content and more.
At this point, it is unclear whether Marvel and Lucasfilm movies will fall under this new agreement, although there is talk that both could be receiving their own dedicated subscription services too. A further announcement will be made at a later date.