The Walt Disney Company and starred in several Disney produced films. Ub Iwerks refined Disney's initial design of Mickey Mouse. Disney's first sound film "Steamboat Willie", a cartoon starring Mickey, was released on November 18, 1928 through Pat Powers' distribution company. It was the first Mickey Mouse sound cartoon released, but the third to be created, behind "Plane Crazy" and "The Gallopin' Gaucho". "Steamboat Willie" was an immediate smash hit, and its initial success was attributed not just to Mickey's appeal as a character, but to the fact that it was the first cartoon to feature synchronized sound. Disney used Pat Powers' Cinephone system,
The Walt Disney Company ending Disney's last obstacle to buying it itself. on July 27, 2018 shareholders voted in favor of the merger, approving the company buyout, pending International regulatory approval. The new company formed by the merger will assume The Walt Disney Company name. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2019. In August 2017, Disney announced that they would be starting its own streaming service, known as Disney+, to compete with the longtime industry monopoly Netflix. Disney+ is currently scheduled to begin service in late 2019, with many series announced that will be using its many successful franchises.