UPDATE:
A Disney representative has told The Verge that reports of Disney+ downloads remaining on devices even if the content has been pulled from the service are untrue. According to the representative, Disney CEO Bob Iger’s statements were misconstrued and he was simply trying to point out that users would be able to download multiple Disney films to a device at one time, a piece of information that has been known for quite some time.
The Verge did however confirm that many Disney films are currently planned to return to Netflix in 2026 and would therefore be pulled from Disney+, but also noted Disney could work out a deal before then to keep that from happening.
ORIGINAL:
We are just a few weeks away from the launch of Disney+. One of the perks the new streaming service will offer is the ability for users to download content for offline viewing. Now, we’ve learned that users will still have access to those downloads even after that content has been removed from Disney+, according to Cnet.
- Disney+ will offer an expansive library of classic Disney content, recent blockbusters and new content created especially for the streaming service.
- Users will be able to download any of that content for offline viewing and now it seems that content will still be available after it has been removed from the service.
- Disney CEO Bob Iger explained that this week at Vanity Fair's New Establishment Summit, saying “…if you're a subscriber, you can download it and put it on a device, and it will stay on the device as long as you continue to subscribe."
- Some of the content found on Disney+ will eventually have to leave the streaming service due to licensing deals with other outlets that were struck before Disney solidified their plans for their own streaming service.
- One of those deals will see some popular Disney films from 2016 through 2018 move back to Netflix in about six years.
- Luckily though, if users wish to keep any of that content, all they’ll have to do is download it to their device and remain subscribed to Disney+ in order to keep that download. Then they can watch it whenever they want.
- "If you wanted to download 10 classic Disney films that may not have all been available at once before, you can do that,” Iger continued. “Basically fill all of your hard drive on one of your devices, and you or your child can watch wherever they are.”
- Disney+ launches November 12.