Disney+ is stepping up its game with a carefully curated selection of unscripted UK Originals, recently announced at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
The streaming service is broadening its horizons with an array of exclusive content. Viewers can look forward to delving into the high-speed world of Formula 1, in a series front-lined by Hollywood superstar Keanu Reeves.
Additionally, the lineup explores the vibrant music culture of Camden and dives into the cutthroat rivalry between iconic sportswear brands. With such a diverse range of topics, Disney+ aims to capture the attention of a broad spectrum of viewers (see the full list below).
Sean Doyle, Director, Unscripted, Disney+, EMEA, said: “We’ve spent the past year making ambitious documentaries with exclusive access to A-list names with the best creative talent in the business.
“I can’t wait for audiences to see what we’ve been up to and discover stories they may not expect to see on Disney+.”
Disney+ UK: Changes Around The Corner
Disney+ is a popular streaming service that offers a wide range of content from its six major brands: Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and Star (which holds general entertainment with more adult themes).
Currently priced at £7.99 per month in the UK, the platform is set to undergo significant changes starting this November. Disney+ will introduce three new subscription tiers, each with varying features and costs.
The upcoming new plans are as follows:
Standard With Ads: Priced at £4.99/month, this plan offers Full HD 1080p video quality, two concurrent streams, and 5.1 and Stereo audio. However, it won’t support downloads.
Standard: For £7.99/month or £79.90 annually, subscribers get Full HD 1080p video, two concurrent streams, 5.1 and Stereo audio, and the added benefit of downloads.
Premium: At £10.99/month or £109.90 annually, this tier offers up to 4K UHD & HDR video quality, four concurrent streams, Dolby Atmos audio, and download capability (basically this is the current Disney+ subscription tier – with its price going up).
Existing subscribers will need to decide whether to adapt to the new pricing structure or reconsider their subscriptions altogether.
The restructuring is not just about added flexibility; it’s also a harbinger of a price hike in the UK. Existing subscribers will only keep their current pricing until December 6, after which they will be billed the new price starting from their next billing cycle (unless they downgrade their plan).
This, however, means that if you subscribe to the annual plan now (before the November price increase) – you can still get a year at the older price.
With prices going up (for some), Disney+ will have to use new content to convince subscribers to stay – and here are the unscripted shows that were announced this week:
Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story
Fronted by Hollywood star Keanu Reeves, Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story is a four-part documentary series that recounts the astonishing tale of how an underfunded and understaffed independent team clinched the World Championship in 2009.
The series promises to offer behind-the-scenes insights into this Formula 1 fairytale, featuring contributions from British F1 driver Jenson Button and Ross Brawn, who led the team to victory.
Directed by Daryl Goodrich, the series is set to premiere on Disney+ later this year.
Camden
Directed by Academy Award winner Asif Kapadia, Camden is a music documentary series that explores how this small corner of North London has had a profound impact on the music industry.
The series will feature a star-studded lineup including Dua Lipa, Chris Martin, Pete Doherty, Mark Ronson, Questlove, Little Simz, and many more.
With such a diverse range of artists, the series promises to give Camden the global recognition it deserves.
In Vogue
In Vogue is a landmark fashion series that offers unparalleled access to the inner workings of Vogue and its top editors, including Anna Wintour and Edward Enninful.
The series will also feature insights from fashion, film, and political luminaries such as Victoria Beckham, Tom Ford, Kim Kardashian, and Hillary Clinton.
Co-produced by Raw and Vogue Studios/Condé Nast Entertainment, the series aims to reveal the untold story of the decade’s most celebrated pop cultural moments and movements.
World War Shoe: Adidas vs. Puma (working title)
This thrilling three-part documentary series delves into the intense rivalry between Adidas and Puma, two of the world’s biggest sporting brands.
The series will feature contributions from sports stars like Usain Bolt, Neymar, and Zinedine Zidane, as well as fashion icons like June Ambrose and KidSuper.
Produced by Matador Content and David Beckham’s Studio 99, the series explores how the competition between these two companies has shaped the modern sportswear industry.
Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story
This long-awaited three-part documentary takes a deep dive into the jaw-dropping libel case that gripped the UK in 2022.
Told through exclusive access to Coleen Rooney and interviews with family, friends, and key players involved in the resulting trial, the series uncovers one of the biggest tabloid news stories in Britain for the last decade.
Directed and produced by Lucy Bowden, the series promises to be an eye-opener.
“carefully curated selection of unscripted UK Originals”
LOL. Not just cheap rubbish then…
The F1 documentary looks very interesting and Keanu Reeves narrating that isn’t cheap at all. That’s an A list selling actor narrating an documentary is quite big for D+ streaming only doc. The rest doesn’t interest me in the slightest from that lineup.