Streaming wars continue

Media powerhouse Disney officially flipped the “on” switch for its new streaming service Disney+ earlier this week. It’s a behemoth with Marvel, National Geographic, Star Wars, and of course Disney properties all contained in its massive library. Disney entered the arena with its sights set on streaming giant Netflix, but don’t think for a second this is a one-sided fight.

As cable subscriptions continue to fall and more people get their entertainment from streaming services, studios and network executives are eyeing online platforms to stay competitive and keep people watching their movies and shows.

Disney+ has been a giant in the works for years now, with eager fans pre-ordering the service as soon as they were able. And why wouldn’t they? The service launched with a new Star Wars show called The Mandalorian (which is excellent), all your favorite animated Disney classics you grew up with and your kids grew up with, and most of the Marvel movies, with more original series on the way.

Netflix is right to take Disney+ seriously as its biggest competition. But it’s certainly not just going to lie down and die. Disney+ may have a legion of cartoons in its catalog, but Variety reports Netflix just inked a multiyear deal with Nickelodeon, another heavy hitter in children’s programming, carrying juggernauts like Spongebob.

Meanwhile, HBO is busy setting up its own streaming platform called HBO Max. Not to be outdone in the children’s programming department, the platform snatched up Cartoon Network.

It looks like as far as cartoons are concerned, HBO, Netflix and Disney are in a standoff. The streaming wars continue.