An aerial view of the Enchanted Storybook Castle in Shanghai Disneyland at Shanghai Disney Resort in Pudong, Shanghai, China on June 4 Photo: IC

Disney chief Bob Iger resigned from Apple's board of directors as the companies are poised to launch rival online streaming services, according to a filing Friday with US regulators.

Iger's departure came the same day that the iPhone maker announced that its Apple TV+ subscription service with a budding library of original content will go live internationally on November 1, according to paperwork filed by Apple with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Apple's announcements appeared to be aimed at emphasizing value as the company looks to reduce its dependence on smartphones and tie digital content to its devices.

As for Disney, its Disney+ online streaming service will launch on November 12 in the US, Canada and the Netherlands, before rolling out worldwide.

Its vast lineup of films and television shows will include three live-action Star Wars series.

Iger told investors on a recent earnings call that "nothing is more important to us" than the platform, which will compete in a crowded marketplace against Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, HBO Max and more.

As well as offering Disney's enormous back catalog, including all animated films and Pixar movies within its first year, it will feature a cornucopia of newly commissioned shows. It will cost $6.99 a month in the US.

AFP