Photo: Unsplash
Photo: Unsplash
Brilliant news, guys. The popular Disney+ streaming service is coming to South Africa next year, bringing with it a multitude of fascinating new series and an army of classic and recently-released films.
More streaming options coming our way!
In the two years of its existence, the platform has made a name for itself by securing the rights to the Marvel and Star Wars franchises. However, their programming goes way beyond its flagship captures – and there’s something for everyone.
Nature documentaries, Pixar films, family shows, racy dramas, and summer blockbusters all feature. But when can we expect to see Disney+ embed itself here, and how much are we likely to pay for the service? Let’s get into it…
What you need to know about Disney+ in South Africa:
Launch date for SA: How long will we have to wait?
Walt Disney CEO Bob Chapek confirmed that Disney+ would be accessible on our shores ‘within the next year’. During a major presentation on Thursday, he revealed that Mzansi would be the next market they’d look to conquer, after notching up over 115 million subscribers in 40 countries since starting up in 2019.
‘Winter 2022’ however, is the best we could out of the conglomerate. They would not be pushed on a specific date, but it’s understood that the platform would arrive ‘no earlier than June 2022, but no later than August 2022’. So for those of you desperate to get your subscriptions up and running, there’s a wait of about 10 – 12 months.
“As confirmed in The Walt Disney Company’s Q3 Earnings Call, Disney+ will launch in South Africa in winter 2022. More information will be shared as the launch approaches”
Walt Disney Group spokesperson
What will Disney+ cost in South Africa?
It’s $7 a month in the US, and £8 a month in the UK. This gives us a range of R103 to R163 per month at the current exchange rate. Yearly, you’d be looking at paying R1 236 to R1 956. There is also a seven-day free trial with Disney+.
For context, you can get a full Netflix package for R169 per month in South Africa. And, if you have access to the full DStv Premium services, that costs R829 a month. So the potential cost for Disney+ looks relatively affordable.
What shows are available on Disney+?
Star Wars and Marvel shows: The Mandalorian, The Bad Batch, Wandavision, Falcon & The Winter Soldier, and Loki all feature, as do all the movies tied into both popular franchises.
All original Disney / Pixar movies: Aladdin, Toy Story, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid – you name it, and it’s there.
Science documentaries: Inside SpaceX, India From Above, Destination World, Shark Gangs – you can learn too!
