Disney is offering a free trial of its nascent subscription-based VOD service, letting subscribers to participating cable providers try it out gratis Sept. 2-6.
For an additional $5-$7 a month, depending on the cable provider, Disney Family Movies provides 10-12 films a month for on-demand viewing 24/7.
The service is available to subscribers of cable systems including Comcast, Charter, Cox, AT&T U-verse, Suddenlink, Verizon FiOs and Avail TVN.
The all-you-can eat program offering differs somewhat from traditional cable and satellite "transactional" video-on-demand models, which deliver an a la carte, pay-as-you-go model.
In its release, Disney did not disclose a subscriber count for Family Movies … but suffice it say the studio would like it to be more.
Given the current state of margins for DVD — which have succumbed to the $1 Red Box rental model — Disney is eager to further develop a more profitable channel for its vault.
The channel's interface will be hosted by former "Cosby Show" regular Phylicia Rashad. Movies offered during the preview period will include older titles such as "Pocahontas," as well as newer ones, such as Disney/Pixar "Cars" spin-off "Monster Truck Mater."
