Disney Scales Back SEA, HK Channels Operations

The Walt Disney Company is axing a huge slate of sports, entertainment and kids’ channels across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong as it gears up to further expand Disney+ in the region.

As of October 1, 2021, Disney will no longer operate the Fox-branded entertainment and movie channels and the Fox- and Star-branded sports networks in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. The restructure also impacts the Disney Channel and Disney Junior services. The only channels that are being maintained are Star Chinese Channel, Star Chinese Movies, National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD.

“As part of The Walt Disney Company’s global effort to pivot towards a direct-to-consumer-first model and further grow our streaming services, the company is consolidating its media networks business primarily in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong,” the company said in a statement. “Effective October 1, 2021, Disney will operate a streamlined television portfolio that covers Chinese-language channels (Star Chinese Channel; Star Chinese Movies) and factual entertainment (National Geographic Channel; Nat Geo WILD). These efforts will help us align our resources more efficiently and effectively to current and future business needs.”

Disney+ is currently available in two Southeast Asian markets, Singapore and Indonesia. It is expanding across Asia this year. The streamlining of the Disney channels business in the region will see huge gaps in the lineups of key pay-TV operators across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.