Disney Unveils New Digital Network

Disney has introduced the Disney Digital Network, featuring more than 300 social media channels and new digital-first shows, at the IAB Digital Content NewFronts.

Disney Digital Network creates digital-first stories that are delivered through digital platforms and influencers. The programming slate will showcase new, original digital video programs. Among the highlights is Science and Star Wars, an episodic series that explores, explains and demonstrates the parallels between the science fantasy of Star Wars and the real-world scientific breakthroughs the saga has inspired.

The network will also feature season two of Oh My Disney Show, the digital-first variety show Club Mickey Mouse, Disney IRL, the animated action-comedy COIN, Disney Design Challenge and Disney Magical Starts.

Disney Digital Network reaches more than 1 billion followers, with distinct editorial voices designed to connect digital audiences to Disney and non-Disney content across websites and social channels on all major platforms. The 300-plus social media channels bring classic and new Disney stories to social feeds around the world.

The editorial voices of the Disney Digital Network are Oh My Disney, which captures the zeitgeist of what is happening in the moment through a Disney lens; Disney Style, exploring the intersection of Disney stories and fashion; Disney Family, offering DIY activities and more for parents and kids to do together; Babble, a parenting resource; Polaris, featuring original content from a community of gaming personalities; and StarWars.com and Star Wars app, the digital destinations for all things Star Wars.

The network also features a curated set of Maker creators and influencers and includes Disney’s in-house branded content service, Disney Co/Op, which pairs Disney digital storytellers with advertisers looking to create custom campaigns. Branded content is then programmed alongside the always-on content across the editorial voices on all platforms. Disney is actively pairing the digital content creation and programming capabilities of Disney Digital Network with The Walt Disney Company’s broadcast and cable assets across ABC, Disney Channel and others so that advertising partners can reach vast audiences across all media platforms.

“With an audience of over one billion highly-engaged followers, the Disney Digital Network is one of the most impactful publishers in digital media,” said Jimmy Pitaro, the chairman of Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. “This network extends our stories to the platforms Gen Z and millennial audiences are on every day, with diverse editorial voices that integrate top creators and influencers.”

“This network is our response to how our advertising partners have been telling us they want to engage audiences: with high-quality content, mobile formats, including micro-content and short-form video, social media influencers and diverse distribution options across all major platforms,” said Rita Ferro, the president of sales at Disney-ABC Television Group. “We can now connect these opportunities with first-party data, proprietary insights, quality of service and brand safety. This is something only Disney can deliver and we are excited to bring this incredible opportunity to the advertising community.”