Big Disney+ changes hit South Africa, including a cheaper plan for TVs

Disney+ is getting a major overhaul in South Africa, with a completely new streaming app and changes to its subscription options rolling out to local customers.

One of the biggest changes is good news for subscribers on the service’s cheapest plan.

Disney+ customers currently paying R49 per month for the Mobile package will automatically be moved to a new plan called Disney+ Basic.

Unlike the old Mobile package, which could only be used on smartphones and tablets, the new Basic plan can also be used on TVs, laptops and computer monitors.

R49 Disney+ on the big screen

The change means existing Mobile subscribers will be able to watch Disney+ on larger screens without paying more than their current R49 monthly subscription.

There is a catch, however.

The Basic package is limited to one concurrent stream and a maximum resolution of 720p.

Subscribers will also lose the ability to download content for offline viewing, with downloads becoming exclusive to Disney+ Premium customers.

Disney+ Premium costs R179 per month and supports up to four simultaneous streams, with content available in up to 4K resolution.

Importantly, the R49 Basic package is currently only being made available to existing Disney+ Mobile customers who are automatically migrated. It will not be available to new subscribers or existing Premium users, Mybroadband reports.

A completely new app

The changes come alongside the launch of a new Disney+ app in South Africa.

Disney says the updated platform will bring several features that were previously unavailable or limited on the local version of the service.

These include the ability to use a subscription while travelling abroad, smarter content recommendations, improved parental controls and an updated Junior Mode for children.

The Star section previously available on Disney+ in South Africa has also been rebranded as Hulu, bringing the local service in line with broader global changes to Disney’s streaming platforms.

There is one important issue existing subscribers should know about before switching to the new app.

Watch histories, recommendations and watchlists will not automatically transfer to the new platform.

Subscribers will therefore need to manually keep track of their watchlists and where they are in the shows they are currently watching.

The existing Disney+ app will remain available until 12 October 2026, giving customers time to make the transition.

Logging in is changing too

The old Disney+ app in South Africa used subscribers’ cellphone numbers as their login usernames.

With the move to the new platform, subscribers will instead be able to use their MyDisney email account to sign in.

After logging into the new app, customers can update their contact information through their MyDisney account.

The new app will also bring South Africa closer to Disney’s broader global platform.