Star (Disney+)

Star is an upcoming hub within the Disney+ streaming service for television and film content intended for an adult audience. The hub will be available in a subset of countries where Disney+ is operated. Star will include content from ABC Signature, 20th Television, FX, Freeform, 20th Century Studios, Searchlight Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Hollywood Pictures.[1][2][3][4]

For the Indian company which is also owned by Disney, see Star India.

Star
Product typeEntertainment
OwnerDisney Media and Entertainment Distribution
IntroducedFebruary 23, 2021 (2021-02-23)
Related brands
MarketsCanada, Western Europe and parts of Asia-Pacific (see full list)

Star will launch on February 23, 2021, in Canada, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. It will expand to more markets later that year.[5] In Latin America, a separate Star+ streaming service will be launched instead.[6]

History

The "Star" brand originated as a Hong Kong-based satellite broadcaster which operated under that name starting in 1991, and had been acquired by News Corporation in 1993.[7] After 2009, the Star brand was mainly restricted to the now separately-owned Star China Media, as well as Star India, which operates primarily in India but also distributes Hindi-language programming worldwide.[8] Star India (and the other remaining operations outside mainland China) were then acquired by Disney as part of its acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019.

During an earnings call on August 5, 2020, Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced that Disney planned to launch a new international, general entertainment service under the Star brand name in 2021, slated to feature more mature content than what was offered on Disney+. The plan superseded a previously announced international expansion of Disney-controlled American streaming service Hulu, which has only expanded outside the United States to Japan.[9] Chapek argued that the Hulu brand was not well-known outside of the United States, along with "Star" being a much more marketable service mark worldwide.[10]

Disney officially announced Star and Star+ on December 10, 2020 at its Investor Day Event.[11] During the event, it was announced that Star will launch as a top-level section within the Disney+ interface. Additional parental controls are planned to launch alongside Star's introduction. Although Star will be available at no extra cost to Disney+ subscribers, the introduction of Star will coincide with a price increase.[12] Star will launch in Canada, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore on February 23, 2021, while the service will launch in Eastern Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and other southeast Asian countries later that year.[13]

The European feeds Star Plus, Star Bharat, and Star Gold will be rebranded as Utsav Plus, Utsav Bharat and Utsav Gold respectively, to avoid confusion with the streaming hub. No rebrand for the Indian feeds has been announced.[14]

Content

Library content

Star will include Disney-owned content from ABC, Hulu, FX, and Freeform. The service will also include content produced by ABC Signature and 20th Television which aired on U.S. networks not owned by Disney, such as Fox and Showtime, for which Disney retains the international distribution rights. Furthermore, Star will also include motion pictures from 20th Century Studios, Touchstone Pictures and Hollywood Pictures.[2] Similarly to Disney+ and unlike Hulu, Star will not have licensed content from third-parties. Therefore, Star will not have content produced for Hulu by other studios such as MGM and Paramount as these companies sell the international broadcasting rights for their respective shows.[10]

Exclusive international distribution

During Investor Day, it was announced that shows from Disney-owned networks such as Hulu and FX would be exclusively distributed in multiple international markets through Star as Star Originals.[15]

Title Genre Original network Premiere Seasons Runtime Exclusive region(s) Status
Awaiting release
Big Sky[15] Thriller ABC February 23, 2021 1 season, ​16 episodes 42–44 min. All markets except Canada[16] Pending
Godfather of Harlem[17] Crime drama Epix 1 season, ​10 episodes 55 min. Italy Renewed[18]
Helstrom[19] Superhero horror Hulu 1 season, ​10 episodes 44–55 min. All markets Ended[20]
High Fidelity[21] Romantic comedy 1 season, ​10 episodes 26–34 min. Portugal Ended[22]
Love, Victor[15] Romantic teen comedy-drama 1 season, ​10 episodes 24–31 min. All markets Renewed[23]
Solar Opposites[19] Adult animated science fiction sitcom 1 season, ​8 episodes 22 min. Renewed[24]

Original programming
Title Genre Premiere Seasons Runtime Exclusive region(s) Language Status
Besos al aire[25] Romantic comedy March 2021 2 episodes TBA Spain Spanish Miniseries

Exclusive international distribution
Title Genre Original network Premiere Seasons Runtime Exclusive region(s) Status
Untitled Kardashians project[26] Reality Hulu Late 2021 TBA TBA All markets Series order
American Horror Stories[27][28] Horror anthology FX on Hulu 2021[26] 1 season, ​16 episodes 60 min.
Dopesick[29] Drama Hulu 8 episodes TBA Miniseries filming
The Dropout[30] Drama 8 episodes TBA Miniseries order
The Old Man[31] Drama FX on Hulu TBA TBA Filming
Only Murders in the Building[32][33] Comedy Hulu 1 season, ​10 episodes TBA
Platform[34] Anthology drama FX on Hulu TBA 30 min. Series order
Reservation Dogs[35][26] Comedy TBA TBA
Y: The Last Man[36][27] Science fiction drama TBA TBA Filming[37]
Shōgun[38][26] Historical drama TBA TBA TBA Miniseries order

In development
Title Genre Original network Exclusive region(s)
Alien[26] Science fiction horror Hulu All markets

Documentaries
Title Genre Release date Runtime Exclusive region(s)
Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)[39] Music TBA 1 hour, 57 min. All markets

Launch
Launch rollout timeline
Launch date Country / Territory
February 23, 2021[40][41]  Australia
 Austria
 Belgium
 Canada
 Denmark
 Finland
 France
 Germany
 Iceland
 Ireland
 Italy
 Luxembourg
 Netherlands
 New Zealand
 Norway
 Portugal
 Singapore
 Spain
 Sweden
  Switzerland
 United Kingdom
2021[42] Eastern Europe
 Hong Kong
 Japan
 South Korea

See also

References
  1. "Disney will fuel international growth with Star brand and Star+ app". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  2. "R-Rated Features, MA TV Coming to Disney+ Overseas via Star Catalog". CBR. December 10, 2020. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  3. Alexander, Julia (December 10, 2020). "Disney unveils Star, its Hulu replacement for international Disney Plus subscribers". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  4. December 11, 2020, Samuel Roberts. "Disney Plus UK will get heaps more TV shows and movies via Star in 2021". TechRadar. Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  5. Alexander, Julia (December 10, 2020). "Disney unveils Star, its Hulu replacement for international Disney Plus subscribers". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  6. "Disney will fuel international growth with Star brand and Star+ app". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  7. Tam, Luisa (July 27, 1993). "News buys Star TV". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  8. Chu, Karen (August 18, 2009). "News Corp. confirms STAR TV breakup". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  9. "Disney + to raise its subscription fees, announces "Star" international streaming service". GSMArena.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  10. Alexander, Julia (August 4, 2020). "Disney is launching a new Star-branded streaming service internationally". The Verge. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  11. "Disney Investor Day 2020". The Walt Disney Company. December 3, 2020. Archived from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  12. Alexander, Julia (December 11, 2020). "Disney finally revealed the real Disney Plus". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  13. "Disney+ is getting its first price hike, but it's going to be totally worth it". Bgr.com. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  14. "Ziggo voert zenderaanpassingen door". www.totaaltv.nl (in Dutch). Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  15. Wiseman, Andreas (January 4, 2021). "Disney Plus Reveals First Titles For International Star Brand: 'Big Sky', 'Love Victor', '24', 'Die Hard' Among Lineup". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 4, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  16. Shankar, Bradly (January 28, 2021). "Here's Disney+ Canada's full 'Star' content launch lineup". MobileSyrup. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  17. "Godfather of Harlem". Disney Italy (in Italian). Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  18. "EPIX(R) Renews Critically-Acclaimed Drama Series "Godfather of Harlem" for Season Two". Epix (Press release). February 12, 2020. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020 – via The Futon Critic.
  19. Palmer, Roger (January 28, 2021). "DISNEY+ "STAR" UK AND IRELAND LAUNCH LINEUP ANNOUNCED". What's on Disney Plus. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  20. Andreeva, Nellie (December 14, 2020). "'Helstrom' Canceled By Hulu After One Season As Marvel Ramps Up Series Output For Disney+". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 14, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  21. "High Fidelity". Disney Portugal (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  22. Andreeva, Nellie (August 5, 2020). "'High Fidelity' Canceled By Hulu After One Season". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  23. "Hulu Presents Upcoming Original Series "Woke," "No Man's Land," and Second Season of "Pen15" at the 2020 Hulu Press Tour". The Futon Critic. August 7, 2020. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  24. Goldberg, Lesley (June 18, 2020). "'Solar Opposites,' 'Crossing Swords' Renewed at Hulu". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 18, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  25. "Disney+ Announces First Spanish Series". TTV News. January 22, 2021. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  26. "twdc_investor_day_2020_press_release_final_836ffdab" (PDF). The Walt Disney Company (Press release). DTCI. December 10, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  27. Goldberg, Lesley (June 22, 2020). "'Y: The Last Man,' 'American Horror Stories' Moving to FX on Hulu". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 23, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  28. @mrrpmurphy (November 12, 2020). "It's the AHS spin off. We are doing 16 one hour stand alone episodes delving into horror myths, legends and lore...many of these episodes will feature AHS stars you know and love. More to follow..." Retrieved November 12, 2020 – via Instagram.
  29. Andreeva, Nellie (June 17, 2020). "Michael Keaton To Star In 'Dopesick' Hulu Limited Series From Danny Strong & Warren Littlefield; Barry Levinson To Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 17, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  30. "Hulu Unveils Four New Series Orders, Two Freshman Comedy Renewals, Strategic Partnership for Food Originals, Brand New Ad Offering and More at Hulu '19 Presentation". The Futon Critic. May 1, 2019. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  31. Andreeva, Nellie (March 6, 2020). "Gbenga Akinnagbe To Star In 'The Old Man'; Bill Heck Joins FX On Hulu Series In Recasting". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 22, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  32. "Hulu Showcases Breakthrough Advertising Solutions, New Research Insights And Original Programming Stars At Virtual Annual Newfront Presentation". Hulu Press. June 22, 2020. Archived from the original on June 23, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  33. Martin, Steve (December 3, 2020). "Today is the first day of filming our new TV show, "Only Murders in the Building," in Manhattan. Starring the incredible Selena Gomez and the just okay Martin Short". Twitter. Archived from the original on December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  34. Andreeva, Nellie (May 6, 2020). "FX Picks Up B.J. Novak Half-Hour Anthology To Series; Guest Cast Includes Lucas Hedges & Jon Bernthal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 6, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  35. Fisher, Jacob (November 5, 2019). "Taika Waititi Set To Write, Direct & Executive Produce 'Reservation Dogs' For FX (EXCLUSIVE)". DiscussingFilm. Archived from the original on January 4, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  36. Petski, Denise (February 4, 2019). "FX Orders 'Y' Drama Series Based On Comic With Diane Lane To Star – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  37. "Current Productions | IATSE 873". IATSE 873. Archived from the original on August 28, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  38. Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (August 3, 2018). "FX Orders 'Shōgun' Limited Series Based On James Clavell Novel – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 5, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  39. Patten, Dominic (February 4, 2021). "Disney's Searchlight & Hulu Snag 'Summer Of Soul' Doc; Questlove's Directorial Debut Won Sundance Grand Jury Prize". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  40. White, Peter (December 10, 2020). "Disney To Launch General Entertainment Streaming Service Star Globally In February". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  41. Keane, Sean (January 28, 2021). "Disney Plus reveals full lineup of Star movies and shows". CNET. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  42. Frater, Patrick (January 7, 2021). "Disney Plus to Launch in Singapore Following Deal With StarHub". Variety. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.