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Tag: Disney+Hotstar

  • Disney+ Hotstar Premium to launch all 31 seasons of iconic show ‘The Simpsons’

    Disney+ Hotstar Premium to launch all 31 seasons of iconic show ‘The Simpsons’

    MUMBAI: After the successful launch of Disney+ Hotstar in India, the platform is now set to bring the world’s favorite nuclear family from the award-winning, history-making series The Simpsons to India.

    Created by Matt Groening, globally recognised as a pioneering animator, The Simpsons made its debut in 1989 and is the longest running sitcom in American history with a collection of over 675 episodes. Episodes of the latest season of this iconic show will be available to stream on the platform just minutes after they are aired in the US. The popular 2007 feature film The Simpsons Movie and the recently-released short film Playdate with Destiny will also be available. 

    Through the years, the yellow family of five – Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie – have emerged as pop-culture icons and have tackled numerous subjects in their own humorous way. The series is a satirical depiction of a working-class life, epitomised by the Simpson family and parodies everyday society, television, and the human condition. The characters have been voiced by Hollywood’s eminent personalities: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, and Harry Shearer.

    Developed by James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Sam Simon, The Simpsons has won over a hundred awards including the Primetime Emmy, People’s Choice and Writer’s Guild; and holds three Guinness World Records, making it an absolute must-watch!

    In this time of social distancing, Disney+ Hotstar Premium continues to provide an unmatched entertainment experience by adding popular shows and latest Hollywood blockbusters. With the world’s best superhero movies like The Avengers, Iron Man, Thor: Ragnarok; unrivalled animated films like Frozen II and Toy Story 4, popular kids’ programs including Mickey Mouse and Gajju Bhai, Disney+ Originals including The Mandalorian, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Lady and the Tramp and shows from the best studios, Disney+ Hotstar Premium makes for the best entertainment companion for people looking for compelling content. 

  • Disney+Hotstar boasts of 8 mn paid subscribers

    Disney+Hotstar boasts of 8 mn paid subscribers

    MUMBAI: Disney+ is making noise in the market even after its launch as it has surpassed the 50 million subscriber mark globally. The new streaming service from the mouse house has been racing ahead of all its guidance numbers and has reached the magnificent number within five months of its launch. Disney+ became available last week in India, where it is offered in conjunction with the existing Hotstar service, and already accounts for approximately eight million subscribers.

    “We’re truly humbled that Disney+ is resonating with millions around the globe, and believe this bodes well for our continued expansion throughout western Europe and into Japan and all of Latin America later this year,” Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International chairman Kevin Mayer said.

    The number has almost doubled in two months as it reported 28.6 million Disney+ paid subscribers as of 3 February. In the past two weeks, Disney+ rolled out in eight western European countries including the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland. 

    “Great storytelling inspires and uplifts, and we are in the fortunate position of being able to deliver a vast array of great entertainment rooted in joy and optimism on Disney+,” Mayer added. 

    These few weeks have been a bonanza for OTT services. Due to countrywide lockdown, more viewers are consuming online video content and signing up to more services. In India, the time spent on smartphones, the primary device to consume OTT content,  has also gone up.

  • Hotstar on track for full-fledged app launch on 29 March

    Hotstar on track for full-fledged app launch on 29 March

    MUMBAI: The rebranded service of Hotstar, combined with Disney+ content and the new blue logo of Disney+Hotstar, created a buzz in the market on Wednesday. But, within 24 hours, the app abruptly stopped streaming Disney+ content or the updated logo. The streaming service stated that it was a release of the beta version of the Disney+ Hotstar.

    “A limited release of the beta version of the Disney+ Hotstar app is currently being tested with a small number of consumers, in preparation for the full-fledged app launch on 29 March,” a Hotstar spokesperson said.

    Former Disney CEO Bob Iger said in an earnings call after Q1 result that it would be launching the service in India through Hotstar on 29 March at the beginning of the Indian Premier League. After successful first few months of its domestic launch, Disney+ is now gearing up for its international expansion. Iger wanted Disney+ to leverage the success of Hotstar in India by bundling the two services. During IPL 2019 , Hotstar registered more than 300 million users.

    As the Disney+ content suddenly disappeared from the streaming app,  speculations were rife if Hotstar stepped back because of the postponing of IPL 2020. As to whether  Hotstar now wants to coincide the launch with IPL on 15 April, sources said it is following the earlier plan of launching it on 29 March.

    Analysts are of the view that Disney+ content will position Hotstar as a premium offering. While the service has already positioned itself as the leader in the advertising-based business model, it started its journey of premium fiction content last year. In the fragmented OTT market amidst home-grown players and deep-pocket international players, it will be easier for Hotstar to take off its subscription-based business thanks to Disney content.