We had earlier informed our readers about Disney Plus Hotstar revamping its subscription plans from 1st September onwards. For those who missed it, here are the details –
Disney Plus Hotstar is scrapping its old two-tier subscription system, where subscribers could choose between Disney Plus Hotstar VIP, priced at ₹399 for the annual plan, and Disney Plus Hotstar Premium, priced at ₹1499 for annual subscription. In place of the old system, it is bringing into effect a new three-tier subscription system, which will cater to a wide strata of audiences.
Ever since the new subscription tiers were announced, social media has been flooded with umpteen queries from curious viewers, regarding the three subscription plans. There is a lot of confusion, with no satisfying replies to viewers’ queries.
But worry not, for we are here to help remove all your doubts regarding the Disney Plus Hotstar new subscription plans. Here are all your questions, answered –
What are the new subscription plans, and what are their price points?
Disney Plus Hotstar has brought in a new 3-tier subscription system, which is as follows –
Mobile Plan @ ₹499/year — mobile-only streaming, in HD
Super Plan @ ₹899/year — simultaneous streaming on 2 devices, in HD
Premium Plan @ ₹1,499/year — simultaneous streaming on 4 devices, in 4K & HDR
What are the new subscription plans all about?
Disney Plus Hotstar’s new subscription plans have removed limitation on content. That means there will be no difference in content available for Premium and non-premium accounts, as it was before. All content will be available to stream for all subscribers, irrespective of the plan they choose, including English content. Every subscriber can access all content on the platform – Hotstar Specials, Disney Plus, Marvel, National Geographic, Star Wars, HBO Originals, Hollywood films, including new releases – in short, all content that was previously available only for Disney Plus Hotstar Premium subscribers.
If all content is available to all subscribers, what is the difference in the subscription plans, other than the price?
The difference is in the number and type of devices that can be used to stream the available content.
Mobile Plan allows streaming only on mobile, and only on one single mobile device at a time.
Super Plan allows simultaneous streaming on any two devices at a time, including mobile, desktop, laptop, tablet, Smart TVs, or living room devices such as Fire Stick, Apple TV, etc
Premium Plan allows simultaneous streaming on any four devices at a time, including mobile, desktop, laptop, tablet, Smart TVs or living room devices such as Fire Stick, Apple TV, etc
What is the video and sound quality available on different subscription plans?
Mobile Plan – HD (720p)
Super Plan – FHD (1080p)
Premium Plan – FHD (1080p)
Also, 4K and Dolby Sound 5.1 in the content that is available in the two.
When will the new subscription plans come into effect?
With effect from 1st September
What about ads? Will the new plans have ads in between the content, or will they be ad-free?
The Mobile Plan and the Super Plan are both ad-supported plans. Both will have ads coming at regular intervals in series, movies and live sports.
The Premium Plan is an ad-free plan. It will not have ads in series and films. But yes, there will be ads in live sports events even on the Premium Plan.
Can I downgrade my plan from my existing Disney Plus Hotstar Premium plan to the new Super Plan after 1st September?
No, Disney Plus Hotstar does not allow subscribers to downgrade a plan once they’ve subscribed to it.
If I already have a Disney Plus Hotstar VIP subscription worth ₹399, will I be able to watch content only on my mobile after 1st September?
All existing Disney+ Hotstar VIP subscribers will automatically be moved to the new Mobile Plan. However, you can continue to watch content on all kinds of devices even after 1st September, until your current membership plan expires. Additionally, you will be able to watch the premium English content too after 1st September, which was not available for you on your earlier VIP plan. This privilege will continue until your current plan expires. After that, if you don’t upgrade to a higher plan, you will be able to stream content only on a mobile device, but including the premium English content.
If I already have a Disney Plus Hotstar Premium plan, what will be the changes for me after 1st September?
If you already have a Disney Plus Hotstar Premium plan, you will automatically be moved to the new Premium plan from 1st September. You will be able to login and view content on any 4 devices simultaneously, as against the 2 device limit of the earlier Disney Plus Hotstar Premium plan. There will be no change in the pricing for this new plan.
What if I buy a new Disney Plus Hotstar VIP plan just before 1st September?
Even if you have bought a new Disney Plus Hotstar VIP plan just before 1st September, for instance on 31st August, you will still be upgraded to the new Mobile Plan, where you will enjoy the best of both plans – the old VIP plan will allow you to stream content on any kind of device (not just mobile device), and the new plan will allow you to access premium English content too.
However, one never knows, maybe their system will not allow you to buy a Disney Plus Hotstar VIP membership plan so close to the launch of the new 3-tier subscription plans.
We’ve tried to cover all possible queries that may be in the mind of our readers. If you have a query that we’ve not addressed here, please drop your query in the comments below.