It’s official! Disney+Star is on! Disney Plus, the streaming arm of The Walt Disney Co, is all set to launch an international version of Disney Plus Hotstar, the platform under which it operates in India. It’s called Disney+Star. Disney+Star, simply called ‘Star’, will be launched in Europe first; and then gradually, across the globe.
But wait, Disney+Star is all hush hush right now. Even the most hard-nosed industry watchers have been taken unawares by this new development. But it’s happening… The folks at Disney have even got a spanking new Twitter account for the new entity, all verified and waiting for the launch of Disney Plus Star with a welcoming ‘Coming Soon’ tag. Here’s the Twitter account –
Take a look at Disneyplusstar logo below (@disneyplusstar):
The launch of Disney Plus Star will reportedly be announced at the much-awaited Disney Investor Day 2020, slated to take place virtually on 11th December. Disney traditionally announces its new plans and strategies on Investor Day. This time, the focus will primarily be on streaming, given the company’s aggressive push in that direction.
And if you, like most of the world, are wondering why Disney is launching Disney Plus Star across the world when there’s already Disney Plus, it’s time to stop wondering. Coz we’ve got you covered!
Let’s start at the very beginning. Disney has traditionally been a family-oriented production house. Its offerings are meant to be enjoyed along with the entire family, kids and all. By extension, Disney Plus also falls under the same category. But in today’s scenario, what with the intense streaming wars, a family streaming platform is just not enough. To actually and visibly make a dent in main rival Netflix’s subscriber base, Disney Plus needs to appear more appealing to its fickle audience – the young adults and millennials. It needs to prop its content library with the obvious – 18+ content. Mature content, coupled with the five offerings of Disney Plus – Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and National Geographic, will make the platform a powerful entertainment force, a force to reckon with for Netflix and gang.
Hence, Star, or more specifically, Disney Plus Star — which will be comparative to Hulu for Disney’s International direct-to-consumer streaming business. Hulu is owned by Disney, and offers mature streaming content. Rather than make Hulu international, Disney Plus will offer another option to its international subscribers, in the form of Disney+Star.
India and Indonesia are the two countries that already have Disney Plus Hotstar, with Hotstar offering 18+ content to viewers. Whether the upgrade to Disney+Star will cost extra for viewers will only be known in the Disney Investor Day event.
Stay tuned to Binged.com for further information on this story.
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