Disney Plus could feature always-on channels dedicated to Star Wars and Marvel shows

The traditional way of watching TV could soon be coming to Disney Plus, with the revamped platform rumoured to feature 'always-on' channels dedicated to Star Wars and Marvel shows among others.

The move could free up users from having to choose what they want to watch, with stations possibly continuously

streaming classic Disney animated movies or films from Pixar, reports The Information. Viewers would, of course, still require a subscription and it is likely the new channels would contain advertisements.

There is currently no confirmed timescale for when any new channels could launch, but the heavily touted move reflects the rapidly rising phenomenon of free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST). Such channels combine the comfort of traditional broadcast within the streaming landscape, where the viewer has no control over programming, versus traditional subscription streaming, which requires a viewer to actively find and select a programme from a streaming platform.

Advanced Television says FAST channels are almost indistinguishable from traditional linear TV, but instead of being broadcast, all the content is streamed. Amazon houses its always-on channels within Prime Video through its FAST service Freevee. The Verge reports that: "Unlike what Disney’s reportedly planning, though, anyone can watch Freevee without a subscription through the service’s dedicated app (as long as it sticks around). The cableification of streaming will likely become a broader trend in the future, as Disney also plans to launch a streaming-only version of ESPN along with a live sports streaming package with Warner Bros. Discovery and Fox.

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'It makes it feel like a shared experience'

Redditors were quick to sing the praises of Disney's rumoured 'always-on' channels:

Relator_fabula posted: "For some reason, watching a 'live feed' feels different than streaming a show on demand, even if there's a random setting. For me, I think it's nostalgia, growing up in the 80s and 90s with cable, it's comforting. Knowing that there are other people at that very moment watching the same thing I am makes it feel like a shared experience, almost like you're connected to something else rather than watching on demand which feels more isolated. I know it's just a weird psychological trick, but it works lol."

Thanos_was_right_69: "Oh this would be sooo sweet. One of those 24/7 channels."

Georgetheporge45: "I know my grandma usually just leaves YouTube and Netflix playing and lets random things come up next so channels like this would be very helpful."

Cripnite: "As long as you have a Disney Afternoon and Saturday morning cartoons channel, I’m all in."

BizzyM: "Older folks, like me, are still psychologically programmed to get a bigger kick out of 'finding' something playing on TV versus having the same content available on-demand."

Fast_fig_newton: "This is actually really awesome news. A Simpsons Channel, random Marvel/Star Wars movies, and lots more."

WeaselWeaz: "I think it's a nice option for people who prefer the linear experience."

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