Disney+ Paid Subscriber Count Surpasses 50M Milestone
Disney+ has passed another benchmark, with 50 million paid subscribers globally within five months after its U.S. launch. In the past two weeks, Disney+ rolled out in eight Western European countries: the U.K., Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland. Additionally, Disney+ became available last week in India, where it is offered in conjunction with the existing Hotstar service, and already accounts for approximately 8 million paid subscribers.
ViacomCBS Extends Trial Periods for LatAm Streaming Services
ViacomCBS Networks Americas announced a one-month trial extension for OTT streaming services in Latin America (exc. Brazil) for new users accessing the service (iOS/Android), starting the week of April 13 — offering access to top-notch educational and entertainment services in Spanish while many are homebound and unable to attend school or work.
- Noggin, Nick Jr.’s top-ranked interactive learning subscription service for preschoolers, allows subscribers and free trial users to watch online or download long- and short-form content featuring favorites like PAW Patrol, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Team Umizoomi, Dora the Explorer and Bubble Guppies. In LatAm, the safe and ad-free service also offers an English-language curriculum for preschoolers titled “Garden Academy,” a section within the app created in partnership with the Ecuadorian chapter of the prestigious Swiss academy, “The Bénédict International Language School.”
- Paramount+ will also extend its trial period — the SVOD entertainment service brings together content on the same platform for the whole family, with films from the best studios and blockbusters, renowned and critically acclaimed series, popular International IPs from ViacomCBS brands (MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon) and successful local original content. For kids and families, this includes hundreds of episodes of Nick toons like SpongeBob SquarePants, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Hey Arnold!, The Fairly OddParents and Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Sony Pictures Ent. Launches Interactive Family YT Channel
The Sony Pictures’ Kids Zone provides parents and kids with a one-stop central destination for interactive fun, physical movement, learning and hands-on activities. The YouTube Channel is curated with a wide range of activities inspired by SPE live-action and animated favorites that will support families coping with school closures, new work-from-home routines and social distancing. New content debuts every Tuesday & Thursday. Launch content includes:
- Peter Rabbit “Make Your Own McGregor Garden”: You might not be able to raid McGregor’s garden like Peter, but you can grow your very own veggies at home. Follow along to learn planting tips, clever crafts and more!
- The Angry Birds Movie 2 “Bird Watching”: In this hilarious “birds-eye” view of the real-life species that inspired the artists, we take a trip to the Los Angeles Zoo to get up close and personal with real-life Mighty Eagles, Blue Birds, Toucans, and more. With fun reactions from the cast intercut throughout the piece — get ready to laugh, learn and meet some amazing avian friends.
- Hotel Transylvania 3 “It’s Party Time” by Joe Jonas lyric video
- The Star “There’s No Me without You” sing-along with Bo and friends
- Smurfs: The Lost Village “Learn to Draw Brainy Smurf”
Social Distancing (Together) with CTN
Creative Talent Network (CTN) is leveraging YouTube to keep bringing the animation community together in this, The New Normal. Open to all ages, aspiring animators can learn the essentials of drawing through Morning Cartooning with Teacher Noah, offering a new live lesson Tues./Thurs./Fri. from 10-11 a.m. PT. Those looking to flex their (costumed!!) life drawing fingers can tune in Wednesday evenings for CTN Sketch FEVER!, live from 7-10 p.m. PT.
Ziva VFX Academic Licenses Are Now Free
Ziva Dynamics announces that Ziva VFX, the world’s most advanced character simulation software, is now free for students and educators. The same tools used on Game of Thrones, Hellboy and John Wick 3 are now available for non-commercial projects, offering students the chance to learn physics-based character creation before they graduate. The Ziva method, used by over 90 studios, fundamentally improves the character creation process by combining the effects of real-world physics with the rapid creation of soft-tissue materials like muscles, fat and skin. Academic licenses include updates, tutorials, demos, direct feedback and support, free character assets and showcase eligibility.
In addition to the software, Ziva Academic users will now receive free access to Ziva Dynamics’ simulation-ready assets, Zeke the Lion (previously $10,000) and Lila the Cheetah, which have been used by powerhouse VFX studios like Pixomondo, Mr. X and Trixter. Thanks to Ziva VFX’s Anatomy Transfer feature, the Zeke rig has helped make squirrels, cougars, dogs and more for films like John Wick 3, A Dog’s Way Home and Primal.
WATCH: DC Daily | Harley Quinn Season 2 Out Now!
Clarke Wolfe sits down (virtually) with Samm Levine and Sam Humphries to talk about the all-new, foul-mouthed adventures of Harley Quinn.
