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Disney will start pulling out a number of its TV channels, and this move is said to be part of the company’s plan to further develop the streaming services that it offers. Based on the report, the mass media company will begin taking down some channels very soon.
List of the affected channels
Disney’s plan to shut down some of its television channels in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong was revealed on Tuesday, April 27. And as posted on Channel News Asia, the channels that will no longer be available in the said regions include Fox, Fox Movies, Fox Crime, Fox Life, Fox Family Movies, FX, Fox Action Movies, and Star Movies China.
Sports channels will also be shut, and these are Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2, Fox Sports, Fox Sports 2, and Fox Sports 3. Kids-friendly channels, including Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Nat Geo People, and SCM Legend, are also set to be removed.
Disney said that while some channels are set to disappear on Oct. 1, the company will focus on its streamlined television portfolio that will feature Chinese language channels. It will broadcast Star Chinese Channel and Star Chinese Movies instead. In addition, Nat Geo Wild and National Geographic Channel are also staying for now.
"These efforts will help us align our resources more efficiently and effectively to current and future business needs," Disney stated.
The company will bolster Disney+
The company’s streaming service, Disney+, is available in just two Southeast Asian countries and these are Singapore and Indonesia. It was said that the Walt Disney firm will continue to expand its service and add more territories to the list. It is hoping to make Disney+ accessible in Hong Kong this year.
Variety further reported that Disney+ is available in 59 regions worldwide, and as of today, it has more than 100 million subscribers already. With the continuous rollout, this number is expected to surge by millions more.
“Disney will continue to have a strong media and entertainment business in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong that includes our direct-to-consumer business, studio entertainment, consumer products, games and publishing business, serving consumers and partners alike in the region,” Disney’s rep said.
Finally, as Disney channels are being taken down, the company will bring back some of the well-loved shoes through Disney Plus, which will be its focus this year. In short, the company is boosting its pay-TV platforms by making shows exclusive to its own streaming site.
