Disney+ to expand to 42 additional EMEA countries this summer

Disney has set out a significant expansion plan for its SVOD service Disney+.

The company has revealed plans to launch in 42 countries in Europe and MENA this summer, adding to the 18 European markets where it has launched since Disney+’s initial rollout in November 2019.

The full list of new markets for Disney+ includes: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iraq,  Israel, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Oman,  Palestine Territories, Poland, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City, and Yemen.

In addition, Disney+ will launch in 11 new EMEA territories including Faroe Islands, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories, St. Pierre and Miquelon Overseas Collective, Åland Islands, Sint Maarten, Svalbard & Jan Mayen, British Indian Ocean Territory, Gibraltar, Pitcairn Islands, and St Helena.

Disney did not reveal specific dates for these launches, offering that the streamer will launch in the summer. 

This 42-country launch represents the most significant expansion announcement made by Disney to date, and comes at a time when streaming leader and major rival Netflix is struggling to hit its subscriber targets.

Elsewhere, Disney has announced the commission of a new series based on the cult-favourite Percy Jackson book franchise, with this eagerly awaited fantasy series serving as a complement to Disney+’s regular staple of Marvel- and Star Wars- based shows.