The streaming service will arrive in the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and more this summer.
what you need to know
- Disney Plus plans to expand to more than 50 new markets this year.
- The streaming service aims to cover more than 160 countries by fiscal 2023.
- It is expected to start expanding in various regions this summer, including South Africa, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
Disney Plus surpassed 50 million subscribers in April 2020, just five months after it launched in the U.S. on various platforms including laptops and Android phones. Less than a year and a half later, the streaming service surpassed 100 million subscribers, though it still lags behind Netflix’s subscriber base.
The company is now planning to expand in 53 new markets this summer to catch up to its strongest rival. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney Plus will be available in 42 countries and 11 territories. These include:
- Åland Islands
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Bahrain
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Faroe Islands
- French Polynesia
- French Southern Territory
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iraq
- Israel
- Jordan
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Malta
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- North Macedonia
- Oman
- Palestine
- Pitcairn Islands
- Poland
- Qatar
- Romania
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- st martin
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- St. Helena
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon Overseas Collective
- Svalbard and Jan Mayen
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- Vatican City
- Yemen
While the listing looks promising for Disney Plus’ future growth, its availability in each region has yet to be determined. Pricing also remains a mystery, although it is expected to vary by country.
Disney Plus is clearly expanding massively to compete with major streaming platforms like Netflix and HBO Max. What’s more, the report states that the service intends to use this strategy to address its slowing user growth in North America.
Last week, The Walt Disney Company also launched a new international content group and plans to “more than double the number of Disney+ countries to more than 160 by fiscal 2023.”
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