PTC Chides Disney+ for Allowing TV-MA-Rated Shows: ‘Destroys Your Brand’

The Parents Television and Media Council objects after Disney+ adds “Daredevil” and “The Punisher” to family-oriented streaming service

Marvel's The Punisher

Mature content “destroys [Disney’s] brand,” the Parents Television and Media Council (PTC) said Thursday, a response to the decision to add six TV-MA-rated Marvel series including “Daredevil” and “The Punisher” to Disney+.

While the PTC is pleased the streaming platform is adding parental controls for the shows that were formerly on Netflix, it is unhappy that content about TV-14 will now be on the streamer.

“For more than 98 years, the Walt Disney Company has been synonymous with the words Family Friendly, and I can think of no other corporation in American history that has been built more squarely on the backs – and on the wallets – of parents and families. … It seems wildly ‘off-brand’ for Disney+ to add TV-MA and R-rated programming to this platform, ostensibly to increase subscription revenue. So what comes next, adding live striptease performances in Fantasyland at Disney World?” said Tim Winter, president of the Parents Television and Media Council in the statement.

To date, Disney+ has not announced that it is adding any R-rated content. When TheWrap recently asked about that possibility, a rep for Disney+ did not address the question directly, but responded, “We have seen success with general entertainment offerings on the service with 20th Century’s ‘Free Guy’ and ‘The Beatles: Get Back.’ We will continue to explore opportunities to leverage the power of our collective content studios.”

The PTC statement went on to say, “While we applaud Disney+ for improving their parental controls, the mere presence of MA- and R-rated content violates the trust of families, and may well turn them off entirely.”

“There is no need for Disney+ to compete with the explicit content on other streaming platforms. Disney is already at a competitive advantage with a streaming platform that is the safest one out there for families. Its foray into TV-MA-rated fare will forever tarnish its family friendly crown.”

“Daredevil,” “Jessica Jones,” “The Punisher,” “Luke Cage,” “Iron Fist,” “The Defenders,” and “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” will be added to Disney+ on March 16.

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