Disney+ Has Paused All Original Commissions in Canada
Amid larger shifts in its streaming strategy, Disney+ has paused all original commissions in Canada until at least the end of the year.
Sources say that the stay will remain in place until the end of 2023, but could extend into 2024.
Disney+ has now been live in Canada for almost four years, however, it has taken time to develop new programming for the platform.
Big News In 2022
Last summer, Disney hired executive Stephanie Azam as its director of content for Canada, a move that was widely applauded within the industry.
Then, in September, Jason Badal, VP and general manager for Disney+ in Canada took the stage at the industry conference Content Canada, to outline the objectives of the streaming service.
At the time, he talked about his desire to create a Canadian version of “Fleabag” on Disney+. Additionally, he spoke about focusing on adult-oriented programming for Star (which is essentially the international version of Diseny’s Hulu, FX, and Fox).
“We want to be able to communicate in a simple and efficient way,” said Azam from her seat in the audience during the session. “Very soon we’ll be able to communicate very specifically … the kind of content we want pitched.”
Disney Draws Back
Since that time, however, Disney has remained silent on its Canadian strategy. In fact, Disney+ has yet to make a single original commission out of Canada. That makes it the outliner among its fellow streaming rivals.
The reason for Disney’s absence in the Canadian market could relate to Canada’s Online Streaming Act. The new law, which was passed in late April, will require streaming companies to invest in Canadian content.
Currently, Canada’s media regulators are consulting with the industry on how to enforce the new laws.
As Disney continues to cut back costs and reduce spending on content, it seems that the company may be rethinking its Canada strategy.
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