Disney+ Hong Kong: from Star Wars to the Star hub, general manager Kerwin Lo on what viewers can expect, Asian content plans and living up to expectations
- Already available in a number of Asian locations including Japan, India and Singapore, Disney+ will launch in Hong Kong on November 16
- Going up against the likes of Netflix and HBO Max, Disney is relying on the hardcore fan base of its hit franchises as a foundation to build upon
With Disney+ about to enter Hong Kong’s streaming market, the question is not whether it will be a major player, but whether it will Hulk smash the likes of Netflix, HBO and other entertainment platforms.
Launched in North America and the Netherlands on November 12, 2019, the service has gradually rolled out across Asia this year and has made an impact wherever it has arrived. After being offered in Japan, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, it officially starts in Hong Kong on November 16 – the same week it begins in Taiwan and South Korea.
“We expect our consumers to respond very favourably and strongly to the launch,” says Kerwin Lo, general manager of The Walt Disney Company in Taiwan and Hong Kong, and head of the Walt Disney studios for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
“We have empirical evidence of how well received our content has been over the years – whether it’s theatrical box office, theme park business, the popularity of our TV shows – so we feel that putting all that content in one package using a cutting-edge-technology delivery system, we will unlock the potential to a modern audience. All the successes we’ve seen leads us to believe we can expect that to be replicated in streaming.”
Disney+ launched mere months before Covid-19 took hold and locked down most of the world. The pandemic might have been horrible for most businesses and the global economy, but it did wonders for the burgeoning on-demand, over-the-top subscription streaming sector.
Netflix might have been the biggest beneficiary, but the brand name recognition of the Disney+ line-up significantly swelled its base. It was reported that 10 million subscribers joined just on the first day of operation. As of July, it boasted 116 million subscribers worldwide.
