The One and Only Ivan is no longer available on Disney Plus as part of Disney's broader cost-saving measures, which involve removing certain content from the streaming platform.
Content Removal as a Cost-Saving Strategy
Disney has implemented a strategy of removing select movies and series from its streaming service to reduce content-related expenses. While The One and Only Ivan had a relatively long run on the platform, spanning nearly three years, its removal aligns with the company's objective to optimize its streaming catalog for financial efficiency.
This differs from other titles like Willow and Darby and the Dead, which were removed after a much shorter six-month tenure. The rationale behind how removing content saves Disney money is primarily linked to:
- Residual Payments: Eliminating titles reduces ongoing royalty and residual payments to cast, crew, writers, and other rights holders.
- Licensing Fees: For content not wholly owned, removing it ends licensing agreements.
- Storage and Maintenance Costs: While seemingly minor per title, accumulating vast libraries incurs digital storage and maintenance costs.
- Tax Write-Downs: In some cases, content removal can allow companies to take significant tax write-downs on unamortized production costs.
The decision to remove content, even beloved films like The One and Only Ivan, underscores a shift in how streaming services manage their libraries, prioritizing financial sustainability alongside content availability.
