Singapore first market to launch Disney+ with all 6 content brands

The Walt Disney Company will be launching its much-awaited streaming platform Disney+ in Singapore next year on 23 February 2021. Singapore is said to be the first market globally to launch Disney+ with all six content brands.

Disney+ in Singapore boasts an offering of 500 films and 15,000 episodes of content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and Star. Additionally, the entertainment company said the platform will also be home to a growing selection of exclusive Disney+ Originals content and specials, including The Mandalorian, Marvel Studios’ WandaVision, Disney’s Lady and the Tramp, Disney and Pixar’s Forky Asks a Question, and Broadway musical Hamilton. Its Star content will also include general entertainment hits such as How I Met Your Mother, Family Guy, and Deadpool.

Amit Malhotra, regional lead, emerging markets, The Walt Disney Company APAC said with the Disney+ launch in Singapore, the company takes another step in staying committed to its promise of delivering powerful stories with heart to consumers. “Streaming services have become an integral part of the daily lives for many consumers in Singapore, and we are dedicated to ensuring that Disney+ offers the best-in-class entertainment experience for all audiences,” Malhotra added.

According to a press release, Disney+ will offer its subscribers four concurrent streams, personalised recommendations, and the ability to set up Kids Profiles for parents which creates a child-friendly interface to access age-appropriate content. Disney+ will also include its GroupWatch feature, which enables subscribers to watch any title on Disney+ with family and friends virtually. Besides streaming content through mobile and connected TV devices, Disney+ said subscribers can also stream through other platforms such as gaming consoles and streaming media players. Disney+ joins the list of over-the-top streaming services in Singapore, increasing competition for platforms such as Netflix, HBO GO, Amazon's Prime Video, Apple's TV+, and Viu.  

Prior to its launch announcement, The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia has been building up its leadership team for Disney+. Last month, it hired former Media Prima marketer Ahmad Izham Omar as its executive director of content and creative of the streaming service. Formerly CEO of Primeworks Studios, Izham is tasked to build “a world-class portfolio” of TV series and movies for Disney+ in Southeast Asia. Additionally, it also bagged former Grab director Danny Koik as its executive director of partnerships and business development. Koik is responsible for developing and leading the execution of the distribution and business development strategy across Southeast Asia, with a focus on making Disney+ available across multiple platform and devices, and creating easy access for subscribers.

Its Disney+ launch in Singapore also comes as the company look to "strategically positioning" itself to more effectively support its growth strategy and increase shareholder value, given Disney+'s success. It reorganised its media and entertainment businesses, following "tremendous success" achieved in the company’s direct-to-consumer business, and looks to further accelerate its direct-to-consumer strategy. Under the new structure, Disney will focus on developing and producing original content for the company’s streaming services and legacy platforms, while distribution and commercialisation activities will be centralised into a single, global media and entertainment distribution group. 

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