Disney eyes Indonesia market with launch of Hotstar streaming service

The Walt Disney Company is bringing its streaming service Disney+ Hotstar to Indonesia from September 2020. The service will contain content from the company’s iconic brands and Indonesian entertainment. Through a collaboration with Telkomsel, Indonesia’s largest digital telecommunication company, the two look to offer “attractive and affordable” subscription packages to customers in Indonesia.

This consists of a selection of over 500 films and specials, and 7,000 episodes of content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more, as well as exclusive original programming including feature-length films, series, documentaries, and short-form content made exclusively for the service. These range from global hits such as Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame, Disney’s Aladdin, the epic first-ever live-action Star Wars series The Mandalorian; and more.

 Uday Shankar, president, The Walt Disney Company APAC, said, “We’re excited to have Indonesia as the first market in Southeast Asia to roll out Disney+ Hotstar. Indonesia’s dynamic, tech savvy population has a huge appetite for quality local entertainment content, and is also home to some of the biggest Disney fans in the region. We are confident that by working closely with Telkomsel, Disney+ Hotstar, with its unparalleled mix of high-quality local and global stories, delivered through world-class technology, will enthrall viewers in Indonesia.”

“The Walt Disney Company is committed to audiences in Indonesia. With the launch of Disney+ Hotstar, we strive to deliver not just the best storytelling from Disney’s iconic brands, but to also create a uniquely locally relevant service by collaborating with top Indonesian studios and talent to bring powerful entertainment with heart to our fans,” said Amit Malhotra, regional lead, Emerging Markets; The Walt Disney Company APAC.

Setyanto Hantoro, president director of Telkomsel said the move comes at a time when

Telkomsel is looking to transform from a mobile operator into a digital telco company. One of the main pillars of its objective is to make Telkomsel “The Home of Entertainment” for all of Indonesia.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the trusted Disney brand to provide our Telkomsel customers the best experience in enjoying new Disney+ Hotstar services with the convenience of anytime, anywhere viewing. Collaborations such as these are vital in our transformation journey, to ensure that we are bringing the best digital offerings to all Indonesians, whilst we continue to accelerate the development of an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem supported by Telkomsel’s leading broadband network throughout the country,” said Hantoro.