Disney will be launching Disney+ Hotstar in Malaysia on 1 June 2021. Audiences and viewers from the region will now be able to experience the humongous content library from brands, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic as well as a wide array of local general entertainment series and films for young adult audiences, and homegrown Asian hits – all in one place.
Consumers can subscribe directly to Disney+ Hotstar for RM54.90 for three months, or through special packages with Astro, for access to an extensive collection of content.
Apart from the Disney classics, Disney+ Originals and Marvel library, extending its support for the local film community, Disney+ Hotstar has secured a series of multi-year agreements with leading Malaysian studios such as Skop Productions, Revolution Media Films, Primeworks Studios, WAU Animation, Act 2 Pictures, Les’ Copaque Production, Red Films and more.
Commenting on the launch, The Walt Disney Company Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, general manager David Shin said, “Launching Disney+ Hotstar in Malaysia, in collaboration with Astro, is an important milestone for us as we continue expanding our footprint in Southeast Asia to bring our compelling entertainment offering to consumers in the region. Malaysians are not only connected, but also extremely tech-savvy and they represent some of Disney’s biggest fans in the region. We are tremendously excited to be able to deliver a wide array of content for everyone of all ages through our world-class platform, covering the best from Disney’s brands across a multitude of genres.”
These multi-year agreements enable Disney+ Hotstar to be the exclusive home to some of Malaysia’s most anticipated blockbusters, which will skip theatres and launch directly on the streaming service, such as J2: J Retribusi, the explosive action-packed sequel to the blockbuster J Revolusi, starring Zul Ariffin, Ashraf Sinclair and Amelia Henderson, Zombitopia starring Shaheizy Sam, Bront Palarae and Sharifah Amani, and Ada Hantu starring Hairul Azreen. Ejen Ali The Movie 2 will also be exclusively available on Disney+ Hotstar after its theatrical debut.
Besides these, popular local Primetime drama series such as TV3’s Single Terlalu Lama and Kekasih Hati Mr. Bodyguard will premiere first at 7 am on 1 June as the linear telecast, only on Disney+ Hotstar. With this, drama aficionados can watch their favourite local series on the platform up to 15 hours before anywhere else.
Additionally, some of the most iconic and critically-acclaimed Malaysian films, which include J Revolusi, Tombiruo, KL Special Force, Ejen Ali The Movie, Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal, Munafik, Istanbul Aku Datang!, the Rock franchise (Rock, Rock Oo!, Rock Bro!, and Rock 4: Rockers Never Dai), Talentime, Mukhsin, The Kid From The Big Apple 2, Vedigundu Pasangge, Evolusi KL Drift 1 & 2, KL Gangster 1 & 2, Gol & Gincu 1 & 2, Guang, Redha and Roh will be available on Disney+ Hotstar. Star studded series like Wifi Sebelah Rumah (featuring Zul Ariffin and Ruhainies) and Semanis Senyumanmu (featuring Daiyan Trisha and Aiman Hakim Ridza) are also available under one .
Kids and families will be treated to hits such as Ejen Ali, over 10 seasons of Upin & Ipin, Club Mickey Mouse, T.O.T.S, Alif & Sofia, Wizards of Warna Walk and Marvel’s Spider-Man, while fans of Asian content can look forward to popular movies and series from across the region, such as Infernal Affairs, Ip Man 4 The Finale, The Deer and the Cauldron, The Legend of Haolan, Pandian Stores and Vishwaroopam 2, and exclusive content like The Silent Forest, Dil Bechara and Live Telecast.
Disney+ Hotstar executive director of Content & Creative, Southeast Asia Ahmad Izham Omar added, “In addition to being able to bring amazing content from Disney’s incredible brands from all around the world, it has been such a privilege to collaborate with homegrown studios and creators to bring Malaysian stories to Disney+ Hotstar and drive the growth of our creative community. Through Disney+ Hotstar, we look forward to continuing our deep-rooted support of Malaysian-made content and shining a well-deserved spotlight on inspiring Malaysian stories, filmmakers and talent.”
Astro Group chief executive officer Henry Tan further stated, “We are delighted to aggregate the best of the best to be the undisputed entertainment destination for Malaysians. Our customers deserve great entertainment and the addition of Disney+ Hotstar with our much-loved hits, local signatures and unparalleled sports would delight them. Disney+ Hotstar will be available to our customers from 1 June and we are working towards making Disney+ Hotstar available via our Ultra and Ulti connected boxes later this year.”
Subscribers will be able to stream Disney+ Hotstar on a wide selection of compatible mobile and connected TV devices at launch, including streaming media players. Each registered account can support two concurrent streams, and the majority of content is available for download on mobile and tablet. All content is commercial-free, with a dedicated kids section with age-appropriate content and a kid-friendly, easy-to-navigate user interface.
Consumers can subscribe to the service directly from the Disney+ Hotstar website, the Disney+ Hotstar app on Android and iOS devices, or with Astro.