Star+
Star+ was Disney's standalone subscription streaming service for general entertainment and live sports in Ibero-America.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Star+ was a subscription video-on-demand and over-the-top streaming service operated by The Walt Disney Company in almost all Ibero-American markets. It combined general-entertainment programming from Disney's international and acquired content libraries with live and on-demand sports supplied primarily through ESPN. The service was designed for audiences seeking programming beyond the family-oriented Disney+ proposition, including adult-oriented television, films, local originals, and a broad selection of sports rights. The Star brand had an earlier history in international television. It originated in Hong Kong in 1990 as Satellite Television Asian Region, a satellite broadcaster founded by Hutchison Whampoa. News Corporation acquired the business in 1993, and the Star name subsequently became associated with a range of television operations across Asia. After corporate reorganizations and the separation of various regional assets, Star India and several Fox Networks Group operations became part of Disney's portfolio through Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox, completed on 20 March 2019. Disney announced in August 2020 that it would introduce an international general-entertainment streaming service under the Star name in 2021. The plan replaced a broader international expansion strategy centered on Hulu, whose brand recognition was considered stronger in the United States than in most overseas markets. In many countries, Disney instead introduced Star as an integrated content hub inside Disney+. In Ibero-America, however, Disney launched a separate application called Star+ on 31 August 2021. This regional approach allowed Disney to present mature entertainment, local productions, and ESPN sports as a distinct service while continuing to market Disney+ separately. The platform's entertainment catalogue drew from Disney-owned studios and networks including 20th Television, 20th Television Animation, Searchlight Television, 20th Century Studios, ABC Signature, Freeform, FX Networks, Hulu, National Geographic, Searchlight Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, and other Disney-related libraries. It also carried selected third-party programming from major entertainment companies such as Sony Pictures, NBCUniversal, and Paramount Global. Alongside films and series, Star+ commissioned and distributed local original productions across Ibero-American territories, helping tailor the service to regional audiences. Sports was a central differentiator. Through ESPN, Star+ offered extensive coverage across football, American football, basketball, baseball, tennis, motorsports, cycling, golf, combat sports, rugby, volleyball, hockey, and other disciplines. Rights varied by country, but the service carried or distributed major competitions such as selected UEFA and South American football tournaments, Formula One, MotoGP, NBA and WNBA games, MLB, Grand Slam tennis, golf majors, UFC programming, and numerous domestic and international leagues. The service was available through web browsers, mobile and connected-TV applications, streaming devices, game consoles, and selected smart-TV platforms. The Star+ name faced a legal dispute with Lionsgate's Starz Entertainment in Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico in 2021. The conflict delayed the planned launch and generated court proceedings in Brazil. Disney and Starz later reached a settlement that enabled Star+ to launch under its intended name. The dispute effectively ended after Starzplay was renamed Lionsgate+ in most markets outside the United States and Canada in September 2022. Disney ultimately decided to consolidate its regional streaming proposition. In December 2023, Disney announced that it would close the standalone Star+ service and combine the Star and ESPN offerings with Disney+. The content integration began on 26 June 2024. Although the separate application was initially expected to end at the end of June, its discontinuation was later extended to 24 July 2024. Star+ therefore ope…
History
The Star+ service grew out of Disney's effort to establish a general-entertainment streaming proposition outside the United States. Its name drew on the Star brand's history in international television, which began with Satellite Television Asian Region, a Hong Kong satellite broadcaster founded by Hutchison Whampoa in 1990. News Corporation acquired that business in 1993, and the Star identity was later used across several Asian television operations. Disney acquired Star India and other relevant Fox international assets as part of its purchase of 21st Century Fox, completed on 20 March 2019. On 5 August 2020, Disney chief executive Bob Chapek announced plans for an international streaming service using the Star name. Disney viewed Star as more recognizable than Hulu in many markets outside the United States and wanted a destination for general entertainment that could sit alongside Disney+. The company adopted two distribution models: an integrated Star hub within Disney+ in many countries, and a separate Star+ application in Ibero-America. Star+ launched in Ibero-America on 31 August 2021. Its catalogue included television and film programming from Disney's major studios and networks, as well as licensed material from other media groups. The service also commissioned local originals for regional audiences. ESPN sports rights were a major part of its proposition, with country-specific coverage spanning football, motorsports, tennis, basketball, baseball, golf, combat sports, rugby, cycling, and many other competitions. The rollout was complicated by a trademark dispute with Lionsgate's Starz Entertainment. Proceedings in Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico challenged Disney's use of the Star name and caused a delay to the planned launch. Disney and Starz reached a settlement in August 2021, allowing Star+ to proceed. Starzplay was subsequently renamed Lionsgate+ in most territories outside the United States and Canada, further separating the two brands. Disney later shifted toward a unified application. On 12 December 2023, the company announced that Star+ would be closed and its entertainment and sports proposition would be incorporated into Disney+. The integration took place on 26 June 2024. The standalone application remained available for a limited transition period and ended on 24 July 2024. Star+ is consequently a discontinued streaming product brand rather than an active independent service.
- 2024
Star+ absorbed into Disney+
[1]Star and ESPN content moved into Disney+ on 26 June, and the standalone Star+ service ended on 24 July.
- 2022
Starzplay changes name to Lionsgate+
[1]Lionsgate renamed Starzplay to Lionsgate+ in most relevant international markets, reducing the remaining brand-name overlap with Star+.
- 2021
Star+ launches in Ibero-America
[1]The standalone Star+ service launched on 31 August with entertainment, local originals, and ESPN sports.
- 2020
Disney announces Star streaming strategy
[1]Disney announced an international general-entertainment streaming service using the Star name.
- 2019
Disney acquires relevant Fox international assets
[1]Disney completed its acquisition of 21st Century Fox, bringing Star India and related Fox international operations into its portfolio.
- 1993
News Corporation acquires Star
[1]News Corporation acquired the Star broadcasting business, expanding the brand's international television presence.
- 1990
Star satellite broadcaster founded
[1]The earlier Star brand originated with Satellite Television Asian Region, a Hong Kong broadcaster established by Hutchison Whampoa.
Products and positioning
A regional, adult-oriented complement to Disney+ that combined broad general entertainment with extensive ESPN sports coverage for Ibero-American audiences.
Subscription video-on-demand · 2021
Star+ streaming service
The core Star+ product was a paid streaming platform for Ibero-American markets. It offered films, scripted and unscripted television, Disney-owned general-entertainment programming, selected third-party content, local originals, and live or on-demand sports. It supported browsers, mobile devices, connected televisions, streaming players, and major game consoles. The standalone service was discontinued in July 2024 after its catalogue and brand functions were incorporated into Disney+.
Original television and film programming · 2021
Star+ Originals
Star+ commissioned and released locally produced original programming across Ibero-American territories. These productions supplemented the imported Disney, Fox, Hulu, and third-party catalogue and were intended to give the platform a stronger regional identity. Specific titles and production totals are not established in the supplied reference material.
Sports streaming · 2021
ESPN on Star+
The ESPN component supplied live and on-demand sports coverage, with rights differing by country. Programming included international and domestic football, American football, basketball, baseball, tennis, motorsports, cycling, golf, boxing, mixed martial arts, rugby, volleyball, hockey, and other sports. Major competitions listed for the platform included selected UEFA and South American football tournaments, Formula One, MotoGP, NBA, MLB, Grand Slam tennis, UFC programming, and golf majors.
Controversies
2021
Trademark dispute with Lionsgate's Starz
Disney faced legal challenges in Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico over its intended Star+ name. The dispute delayed the regional launch and included Brazilian court proceedings. Disney and Starz reached a settlement in August 2021, allowing Star+ to launch as planned.
Brand decisions
2023
Consolidate Star+ into Disney+StrategyBackground
Disney decided to simplify its regional streaming structure by combining the standalone Star+ proposition with Disney+'s Star and ESPN hubs.
Action taken
Disney announced that Star+ would close and that its entertainment and sports content would move to Disney+.
Aftermath
The integration occurred on 26 June 2024, followed by the standalone Star+ shutdown on 24 July 2024.
2021
Launch Star+ in Ibero-AmericaProduct launchBackground
Disney sought to provide a regional streaming destination combining general entertainment, local originals, and ESPN sports rights.
Action taken
Star+ launched on 31 August 2021 after Disney resolved the Starz trademark dispute.
Aftermath
The service operated as a standalone regional platform until its later integration into Disney+.
2020
Adopt Star instead of Hulu for international general entertainmentStrategyBackground
Disney wanted an international destination for mature and general-entertainment programming, but considered Hulu less familiar outside the United States.
Action taken
The company announced a new international service under the Star name, using a separate application in Ibero-America and an integrated hub in many other countries.
Aftermath
This decision led to the launch of Star+ in Ibero-America in 2021 while Star became part of Disney+ in other markets.
Recent events
Disney appoints international content creation head[2]
Reported:
Disney appointed Rebecca Campbell to lead its newly established international content creation hub, expanding regional content for its streaming services. She will continue overseeing Disney's international media team and serve as chair of international content and operations.
Revenue Group agrees to acquire two Kuala Lumpur properties[3]
Reported:
Revenue Group said its indirect unit Next Revenue entered into two conditional sale and purchase agreements with Starplus Corporation to acquire two properties in Kuala Lumpur for RM44 million.
Star announces acquisition of Pro4People[4]
Reported:
Star announced its acquisition of Pro4People, a software consultancy based in Wroclaw, Poland, specializing in regulated MedTech and Digital Healthcare.
Disney+ launches Star[5]
Reported:
Disney+ launched Star, a new entertainment brand available within the Disney+ app, in the UK and Europe. The article also reports the launch across Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Disney+ launches Star channel in selected markets outside the US[6]
Reported:
Disney+ began offering the Star channel to subscribers in selected markets outside the United States, including the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerland. Star provides Disney-owned film and television content aimed at adult audiences.
Disney Plus announces Star service rollout in Canada[7]
Reported:
Disney Plus announced that it would introduce Star, an entertainment portal, on its existing platform in Canada in February 2021. Star was scheduled to appear on the platform's main page on February 23.
Disney announces Star streaming service rollout[8]
Reported:
Disney announced that Star, a streaming service integrated into Disney Plus, would roll out in certain European countries, Canada, and New Zealand beginning February 23, 2021.
Winnebago Specialty Vehicle Division and STAR form strategic partnership[9]
Reported:
Winnebago Industries' Specialty Vehicle Division and experiential marketing agency STAR established a strategic partnership to offer mobile experiential marketing opportunities to a broader range of clients.
- Unconfirmed
Star launches virtual exhibit and event services[10]
Star Incorporated launched virtual exhibit, event, and environment services as part of its business and marketing continuity initiatives.
Sources12 sources
- 1Star+en.wikipedia.org
- 2迪士尼任命国际内容创作中心负责人finance.sina.com.cn
- 3Revenue Group同意收购吉隆坡两处物业thestar.com.my
- 4Star宣布收购Pro4Peopleprnewswire.com
- 5Disney+上线Star服务dailymail.com
- 6Disney+在美国境外部分市场推出Star频道finance.sina.com.cn
- 7Disney Plus 宣布在加拿大推出 Star 服务toronto.citynews.ca
- 8迪士尼宣布推出 Star 流媒体服务theverge.com
- 9Winnebago Specialty Vehicle Division与STAR建立战略合作关系prnewswire.com
- 10Star推出虚拟展览及活动服务whattheythink.com
- 11Disney Plus Launches Adult Streaming Platform With Parental Controlsaceshowbiz.com
- 12Disney Plus to hike monthly price by $3 in Canada, introduces new Star servicecastanet.net
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