Disney+ Executive Explains Their International Originals Plans
Earlier this year, Disney launched a new hub for its international content creation, with its main goal to expand regional content for its streaming services including Disney+.
This new division is being led by Rebecca Campbell and since its creation, we’ve seen lots more international originals go into development, in an effort to boost subscriptions worldwide, to fulfil international content quotas and to generate more content for subscribers to watch.
One of the places where Disney is ramping up its content creation is in France, we’ve already seen a number of French shows released around the world, including “Weekend Family”, “Parallels” and “Oussekine”. Currently, there are over 15 French shows currently in some form of development or production for Disney+.
Disney is also making efforts, not to specifically create content that can be released globally, but instead focusing on making content for specific audiences. Shows like “Oussekine” were made for French audiences, but have been big hits internationally. Disney is also doing the same across Latin America, such as the upcoming Argentinian original series, “Santa Evita”.
Global distribution rights are becoming much more important to streaming platforms like Disney+ and recently, Disney’s VP of programming, production & acquisitions, Pauline Dauvin, has told TBI that the goal now is to expand its focus on shows that offer something different to French viewers.
“We’re very open to innovation and we want topics that are new and innovative. We want to know if a project can target families, one of main targets is families with kids, but we’re also really targeting adult audiences. They need more sophisticated storylines and that is the Star section of Disney programming. Oussekine belongs under that umbrella”.
She added, that they aren’t looking for specific topics of subjects, but just that:
“We want characters. We identify and choose projects with a very character-driven focus, want them to convey emotions. Stories first and foremost, not topics.”
Disney+ will be creating 60 local productions by 2024 as it continues to work with outstanding creators and premium producers as part of the company’s commitment to source, develop and produce original productions in Europe. And there are many more originals being made in Latin America and across Asia, specifically for Disney+.
Pauline Dauvin also confirmed the plan for upcoming French Disney+ Original releases:
“The next one is Les Amateurs, an action comedy, and in 2023 we plan to launch more than five originals, so we’ll have to reach a basic rhythm in 2024.”
Disney has been having lots of success with its international originals, with shows like “Snowdrop” and “Pistol”, we can expect to see many more shows heading to Disney+ around the world, that are a little different to those made in the US.
Do you think Disney should make more international Originals?
Roger Palmer
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Obviously it’s common sense that not every International production will have a global release but as someone who is part of the Asian community and considering International content is literally the only reason I still keep Netflix they really should have more International global releases.In the last 6 months alone there have been 23 Asian productions both original and distributed yet only 4 US releases 2 going to Hulu and 2 on Disney+ or to get technical since the launch of Disney+ there are currently • 11 European Productions / 6 U.S. releases • 24 Latin Productions / 8 U.S. releases • 32 Asian Productions / 9 U.S. releases With the most recent being (Delicacies Destiny) which as much as I enjoyed that series it makes no sense to me as to why they would choose that show over the likes of (Rookie Cops) or (Grid) or even (The Files of young Kindaichi) which were released months earlier would have been more exciting as a surprise content drop instead. Will those shows never getting a U.S. release or will I have to wait 2 years for it to drop? While I get it I also find it both beyond frustrating and a little lazy in terms of how there handling there International release schedules. Not to mention add more general entertainment bc as much as I like sports and a good Nature Documentary it’s just not cutting it. I understand things take time but seriously though speed it up
I really want to watch a lot of these international shows but until they bring in proper subtitles I can’t do it. Close captioning is the only option for English and it doesn’t work for me at all. “Music plays”. “Music continues” etc. Sorry but no thank you!