Disney+ boosts originals, Hotstar content amid Asia-Pacific expansion

Disney+ will boost its slate of original content in Asia-Pacific in 2022 following the streaming service's launch in Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan next month.

Over 20 new regional-language titles are coming to the platform next year, 18 of which are originals, parent The Walt Disney Co. announced at an Oct. 14 virtual press conference. The slate is part of Disney's ambition to greenlight over 50 Asia-Pacific originals by 2023, the company said in a press release.

The titles include "Rookies," a coming-of-age romance set in Korea's elite police academy; Japanese animation "Black Rock Shooter Dawn Fall"; a Chinese period drama called "Delicacies Destiny"; and an Australian documentary called "Shipwreck Hunters Australia."

Luke Kang, president of The Walt Disney Co. Asia-Pacific, said the company will also generate more content through the Star brand, which it acquired in March 2019 as part of its $71 billion purchase of 21st Century Fox Inc.

Disney+ integrated the Star India Private Ltd. unit's local streaming service, Hotstar, to form Disney+ Hotstar in 2020. The service launched under the Disney+ Hotstar brand in India, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia.

Kang said Star shows such as "Grey's Anatomy," "Scandal" and "Prison Break" as well as movies such as "Avatar" and "The Greatest Showman" are examples of Star content that broaden the appeal of Disney+ in Asia-Pacific to include "families, older teens and adults."

Other brands under The Walt Disney Co. include Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and National Geographic.

Disney+ is available in eight markets in Asia-Pacific, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.