By: Arnon Sibulo
The Disney+ Hotstar streaming service is set to launch in Malaysia this June featuring content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic, as well as local content from Malaysia.
In partnership with Astro – the country’s leading pay-TV platform – viewers can stream through their website or download the app for Android or iOS.
To get the latest and most iconic local movies on the streaming service, Disney signed a multi-year partnership with leading Malaysian studios Skop Productions, Revolution Media Films, Primeworks Studios, WAU Animation, Act 2 Pictures, Les’ Copaque Production and Red Film to showcase new Malaysian movies and series.
With the pandemic still in full swing, some movies will premiere directly on the platform and skip theaters altogether according to Disney. These include J2: J Retribusi from Primeworks, TGV and Infinitus; Zombitopia from Skop; and horror picture Ada Hantu starring Hairul Azreen. Another, “Ejen Ali The Movie 2,” which will stream exclusively on Disney Plus Hotstar. Disney Plus Hotstar will also host a small number of Indian and Chinese-language titles to reflect Malaysia’s multi-ethnic roots.
“Launching Disney Plus Hotstar in Malaysia, in collaboration with Astro, is an important milestone for us as we continue expanding our footprint in Southeast Asia,” said David Shin, general manager of Walt Disney Company Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
Start streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar this June 1. Rates for direct subscription are RM 54.90 (USD 13.35) for three months, with Astro offering other package deals. Each account can support two concurrent streams, and most of the content is available for download.
Find out more about the streaming service here.