Disney+Hotstar finally set to go live in India on this date

The long-awaited Disney+Hotstar launch was initially scheduled for March 29 along with the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament in India. In the second week of March, the company even released a limited beta version of 'Hotstar+Disney' but, it was deferred indefinitely as the IPL was postponed over the coronavirus outbreak in India.

Now, the company has announced that Disney+Hostar will formally launch in India on April 3.

“With the success of Hotstar, we ushered in a new era for premium video streaming in India," said Uday Shankar - President, The Walt Disney Company APAC and Chairman, Star & Disney India. "Today, as we unveil Disney+ Hotstar, we take yet another momentous step in staying committed to our promise of delivering high-quality impactful stories for India that have not only entertained but also made a difference in people’s lives, a promise that is even more meaningful in challenging times such as this. We hope the power of Disney’s storytelling, delivered through Hotstar’s technology, will help our viewers find moments of comfort, happiness and inspiration during these difficult times.”

Starting April 3, the OTT player will offer three new packs – Disney+ Hotstar VIP, Disney+ Hotstar Premium and an ad-supported basic tier.

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After the launch, there will be a separate Disney+ branded section to help users navigate the contents from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic. Subscribers will enjoy the benefits of unlimited downloads of all Disney+ movies and shows, as well as personalised recommendations. Additionally, parents can navigate through a kids-safe mode to access age-appropriate content, the company said.

The Disney+Hotstar app will also offer comprehensive sports coverage to the users for free. It will cover major sporting events such as the IPL, any of the BCCI cricket series, the Premier League, the ISL and the PKL, with special match highlights, key individual performances and match analysis.

However, there is a marked increase in the subscription prices of the Hotstar OTT package.

*Hotstar VIP: (Old Rs 365) Rs 399 -- offers Star and Disney content in Indian languages in addition to IPL streaming access.

*Hotstar Premium: (Old Rs 999) Rs 1,499 -- offers Disney+ originals in addition to English originals from HBO, Showtime and more.

*There will also be an ad-supported free service and the contents include a library of Indian movies, local news, and sports clips. They will be available in eight Indian languages.

On the bright side, existing users can renew their Hotstar subscription as per old price structure as the hike will go into effect on April 3.

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