Effective Monday, September 23, 2024, several Disney-owned media networks will see their mobile and connected TV apps disappear after the company announced late last week that it would be shuttering the ABC app, DisneyNOW, the Freeform app, FXNOW and the Nat Geo TV app.
“Even though the ABC app is heading off into the sunset, you can still catch the latest episodes of ‘General Hospital’ or ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ stat! You can keep voting for the next ‘American Idol’ or your favorite quickstepping, spray-tanning teams on ‘Dancing with the Stars,'” read a message on ABC’s website announcing the change on Friday as it referenced content and services currently found in the ABC app that will remain available on ABC.com.
Despite the shutdown, Disney notes that viewers will still be able to watch all content currently available on the apps, including on-air, online and On Demand, through each network’s respective website*. Additionally, certain network content will also be available to stream via a paid subscription to Hulu and/or Disney+.
Full episodes of ABC and FX content can be streamed the next day on Hulu while Disney+ houses content from National Geographic, Disney Channel, Marvel and Star Wars, among other brands.
While no reason was given for the shutdown at press time, it’s been reported that Disney is preparing to launch Live TV channels on Disney+, a service currently featured within each network’s respective app and website.
“The company is developing pop-up live channels aimed at entertaining viewers who don’t have the time or energy to scroll through viewing options,” The Wall Street Journal, reported last month, citing people familiar with the matter.
Examples of channels in development within Disney+ include an entire play through of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and a channel devoted to airing every episode of “The Simpsons” from the beginning, among other options.
ABC
As for current Live TV channels, such as the “General Hospital” Spotlight channel, they will remain available on both the ABC app and ABC.com until September 23. Thereafter, viewers will be able to enjoy all their favorite shows from ABC, Freeform, FX and National Geographic all in one place, via ABC.com. Similarly, Disney Channel content (including Disney XD and Disney Junior) is expected to remain available for viewing via DisneyNOW.com after signing in with a participating TV provider.
Disney’s decision to shut down its media network apps follows an industry-wide push that has also seen Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount shutter apps for their respective media networks.
*Note: To access all content available on ABC.com, Freeform.com, FXNOW.FXnetworks.com and NatGeoTV.com, you must sign in with a participating TV provider. ABC News content, including ABC News Live, will remain available via ABC.com, ABCNews.com, and the ABC News mobile and connected TV apps.