Disney+ idea to stream TV-MA and R-rated content, which includes Netflix’s Defenders, was disliked by Parents Television and Media Council (PTC).

The Parents Television and Media Council (PTC) has already condemned Disney+ before the debut of Daredevil, The Punisher, and other Netflix-produced Marvel TV shows on March 16, 2022. All of the six Defenders universe shows (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, The Punisher, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders) contain Mature Audiences Only content, which makes them unsuitable for children. PTC slammed HBO’s Euphoria as well last week for being “grossly irresponsible” for its graphic depiction of nudity, drug use, and child abuse. They feel the same for Defenders.

Earlier, Disney+ didn’t have any content rated higher than PG-13 because of its family-friendly appeal; this is their first attempt at streaming more mature content. The PTC recently cautioned Disney+ for the use of TV-MA, saying it would “destroy your brand.” Tim Winter, president of the PTC, addressed the streaming company in a statement:

“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. The company’s eponymous platform Disney+ logically marketed itself as a family-friendly streaming service, and parents have placed their trust in Disney to deliver just that. 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?”

The PTC is furious at Disney; however, this was rather uncalled for. Winter hopes that their move will increase subscribers. He further states that Disney could ruin its enormous legacy if it streams explicit content as other streaming platforms do.

“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.”

 It depends on Disney+, whether they add stricter parental controls, but the PTC seems to have misjudged the streamer’s intention in doing that.

In 2020 Disney bought the rights to Netflix’s Marvelverse, which is now called Defenders Universe but the shows themselves are still on Netflix. However, after March 1, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and the rest will soon be available to stream on Disney+. Alongside that, Deadpool, Punisher, Blade, and other Marvel characters will debute on Disney+, who were previously considered too violent for the platform.

For that reason, the Defenders shows are strongly restricted in terms of violence and nudity compared to competitors like HBO Max’s Peacemaker. At least it gives more opportunity for parents to protest.

ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, along with all the former Netflix shows, will arrive on Disney+ in the U.S. on March 16, 2022.

Source: MovieWeb