Devastating news for children.
VnExpress reports that 14 TV channels under Disney's ownership will no longer be available under paid television services in Vietnam from October 1. The channels are being suspended in Hong Kong and across Southeast Asia.
While Disney has not announced why this is the case, a representative of a Vietnamese TV company told the news source that it is likely part of the American entertainment giant's plan to roll out its Disney+ streaming service in the future.
The channels to be pulled include: Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Fox, Fox Movies, Fox Family Movies, Fox Action Movies, Fox Life, Fox Crime, Fox Sports, Fox Sports 2, Fox Sports 3, FX, Channel V and National Geographic People.
Disney+, which is currently available in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand in Southeast Asia, is expected to provide fierce competition for Netflix, which entered the region in 2016. The Disney service will expand to South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan in November, while there is no set date for its debut in Vietnam.
Nikkei Asia reports that in May, Disney+ accounted for 43% of new premium streaming service subscribers in Asia, compared to 9% for Netflix.
Thanks to a series of blockbuster acquisitions over the last decade, Disney owns hugely popular franchises such as Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which analysts expect to give the service an advantage over Netflix in Southeast Asia.
[Photo via Showbiz CheatSheet]
