Disney+ Expands Into TV-MA Fare As It Adds Marvel’s ‘Defenders’ Franchise & ‘Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ From Netflix
01.03.2022 - 19:01
/ deadline.com
All six of Marvel’s original seres for Netflix, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Punisher, and The Defenders limited series as well as Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which had been streaming exclusively on Netflix, will be moving to Disney+ starting March 16. They will be available across all other Disney+ markets later this year.
The arrival of the Defenders franchise, whose series are all rated TV-MA, is ushering in a new era for Disney+ in the U.S., which launched as a family friendly destination with all of its programming fitting into the TV-Y, TVY-7, TV-G, TV-PG and TV-14 ratings categories.
To accomodate the introduction of TV-MA programming (equivalent to an R-rating in features), Disney+ will be updating its existing Parental Controls in the U.S. This already has been implemented internationally, including in EMEA, where Star, which features adult programming from Hulu, FX and other Disney entities, is integrated into Disney+.
There had been speculation that Disney may be broadening the range of content on Disney+ beyond family entertainment in order to maintain subscriber growth after the big slowdown in new signings for the streamer reported in November. Chatter intensified after it was revealed last month that Netflix’s license to the six Defenders universe shows was ending, and they would be leaving the platform March 1. (Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., which streamed exclusively on Netflix until yesterday, Feb. 28, originated on ABC, so its rating is TV-14.)
While the six Defenders series, which started as Netflix originals, were developed and produced pre-Disney+ under a different regime by the now-defunct Marvel Television, the Kevin Feige-run Marvel Studios also appears to be pushing the