Disney Plus Upgrades Israel Service with Global App and Enhanced Features
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Disney Plus Israel is switching to the international app, enhancing viewing with no geo-blocks abroad and smarter recommendations, while enforcing stricter password sharing rules. The move keeps prices and content unchanged but requires users to reset profiles and login differently. Disney aims to expand the app's role with new features and a possible ad-supported tier.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Disney Plus Israel replaces Hotstar platform with the international app for better user experience.
- Subscribers must download the new app, reset profiles, and use email/password login.
- Geo-blocking is removed, allowing uninterrupted viewing abroad.
- New features include smarter recommendations, advanced parental controls, and ESPN live broadcasts.
- Stricter password sharing limits based on household identification are enforced.
- Disney plans to add games, merchandise, and possibly a free ad-supported tier in the future.
Disney Plus in Israel is transitioning from the older Hotstar-based platform to the original international app used in the US and Europe. This change, announced on Thursday, aims to improve user experience by addressing complaints about the previous version's limitations. Subscribers will need to download the new app, log in with email and password instead of SMS verification, and reset their profiles as viewing history will be erased.
The upgrade maintains the current subscription price and content catalog, which includes Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, and Hulu titles. A key improvement is the removal of geo-blocking, allowing users to watch content uninterrupted while traveling abroad, unlike the previous Hotstar platform that blocked access outside India.
The new app also features a smarter recommendation algorithm, advanced parental controls including a "kids zone," and expanded live broadcasts from ESPN. However, it introduces stricter measures against password sharing, using household identification based on IP address, Wi-Fi network, and device IDs. Sharing accounts outside the primary household will require additional payment or complex verification, similar to Netflix's policy.
This shift is part of Disney's broader streaming strategy to make the app the "digital heart" of its brand, potentially integrating games, merchandise purchases, and interactive experiences. Disney is also exploring a free ad-supported tier to increase market share against competitors. CEO Josh D’Amaro emphasized these plans during a recent investor call.
Mentioned
