Disney+ Hotstar releases new plans for its subscribers

The Disney-owned streaming service had a virtual event on Tuesday to launch 18 new Hotstar Specials series and Multiplex movies. But, in a surprising turn of events, Hotstar announced that the two-tier content-based strategy of VIP and Premium was being scrapped for a new roster of plans and charges.

As per the new strategy, no content will be specifically reserved for Premium, rather everything on Disney+ Hotstar, including  Disney+ Originals and Hollywood movies and TV shows from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, HBO, FX, Showtime, 20th Century and Searchlight Pictures, will now be available to everyone. This means Disney+ Hotstar VIP will no longer be working.

Beginning from September 1, the streaming service will let you choose from three new plans: Mobile at Rs 499/year, Super at Rs 899/year, and Premium at Rs 1499/year. However, there’s a catch here. Although the content that can be viewed is the same for all the pricings, the number of streaming devices varies.

Disney+ Hotstar Premium will now allow viewers to stream simultaneously on four devices, with 4K being exclusive to this plan, while the Super plan will let you stream on two devices simultaneously in HD quality. The Disney+ Hotstar Mobile is quite similar to Netflix’s Mobile plan, as it will restrict viewers to a single-mobile-only device, but will still provide all that the platform has to offer in HD quality. Thus, the pricing plans have essentially opened new entry points for fans of international content, unlike before when everything international was under Premium.

Disney+ Hotstar president Sunil Rayan informed that their newly-introduced subscription plans is an attempt to make their content more accessible to viewers, by offering best-in-class entertainment while ensuring that they get the opportunity to choose the plan that best suits their needs.

Disney+ Hotstar's three new subscription plans will be effective from September 1.