Star World
Star World (formerly known as Star Entertainment and Star Plus) is an English language entertainment television channel originally launched on 15 December 1991 by Star TV in Hong Kong as the old iteration of Star Plus.
 | |
| Programming | |
|---|---|
| Language(s) | English |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Fox Networks Group (Disney Entertainment) |
| Sister channels | Star Movies |
| History | |
| Launched |
|
| Replaced | Fox Taiwan (relaunch) |
| Closed |
|
| Replaced by | Fox Life |
| Former names | Star Entertainment (1991–1992) Star Plus (1992–1996) |
| Links | |
| Website | MENA Taiwan |
On 30 March 1996, the channel was split into two, when the former became Star World in East and Southeast Asia part of STAR TV's rebranding, and the latter retained the Star Plus name in India and the Middle East. However, after Star (subsequently acquired by News Corporation) ended its partnership with Zee TV on 30 June 2000, Star Plus was transformed into a Hindi-language channel on 1 July 2000, with Star World being already introduced in the region as an English entertainment replacement.
The channel's programming line-up mostly consists of entertainment television programmes from the United States, the United Kingdom and sometimes Australia and New Zealand to appeal to English-speaking locals as well as the expatriate population of Taiwan.[1]
History
Star World was first launched on 15 December 1991 as Star Entertainment with the first programme being The Bold and the Beautiful. The channel was an 24-hour English language general entertainment channel showed dramas, movie and variety shows from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand with Zee TV being the Hindi language general entertainment channel counterpart. The channel was broadcast across the continent of Asia, reaching from the Far East to the Middle East, as with AsiaSat 1's footprint. Star TV have since regionalised the channel to serve its huge viewerships. On 1 July 1992, Star Entertainment was officially renamed as Star Plus.
Star Entertainment was also backed by two major Hollywood conglomerate film studios and television production companies including 20th Century Studios (formerly 20th Century Fox) and 20th Television (formerly 20th Century Fox Television).
On 1 May 1994, All movies that were backed by one major Hollywood conglomerate film studio, 20th Century Studios (formerly 20th Century Fox) were moved from Star Plus to Star Movies because due to Star Movies' launch. Star Plus continue to be an English language general entertainment channel.
On 30 March 1996, STAR TV split Star Plus' beam into two, in effect, providing two separate services for different regional audiences within STAR TV's footprint. This enabled the channel to provide appropriate programming and viewing time for viewers from different regions in Asia. Star Plus would serve viewers in India and the Middle East from then on, while the new Star World channel welcomed those in East and Southeast Asia. Star TV converted Star Plus into Hindi entertainment channel with some English content programming. Earlier, STAR TV had a joint venture with Zee Telefilms which uplinked Hindi channel Zee TV from Hong Kong. But that partnership with that channel ended on 30 June 2000, resulted the new Star World channel as English entertainment replacement on 1 July 2000 for India and the Middle East.
On 1 October 2017, Hong Kong and Southeast Asian version of Star World was rebranded to Fox Life, which was shut down on October 1, 2021. The Good Fight was the last program to air before re-brand (Bolt of Talent in Philippine feed).[2] Star World brand remains in versions broadcast to the Middle East, Taiwan, India as well as other South Asian markets.
On 1 February 2020, the Taiwanese version closed down and some programs are moved to Fox. Twenty-three months later on New Year's Day 2022 at midnight stroke, Fox Taiwan officially handover back return to Star World Taiwan was officially formal relaunching ceremony took place in held at Taiwan.
Star World officially ceased transmission and broadcasting for very final and last time after officially formal ceasing ceremony took place in held at Taiwan on Sunday, 31 December 2023 at 11:59:59pm Taiwan Time in Taiwan was officially moved to Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar.[3]
Operating channels
Current channels
- Star World HD Middle East & North Africa - broadcast times KSA, UAE; including Channel [V] programs.
Former channels
- Star World Taiwan - broadcast at UTC+08:00 NST; selected programs are not the same as the Asia feed, including local advertisements. The channel officially ceased transmission and broadcasting on 31 December 2023 at 11:59:59pm.[3]
- Star World Vietnam - broadcast times VN; selected programs are not the same as the Asia feed, including local commercials
- Star World HD Asia - same as the Asia feed except for the logo and commercial feed; available in selected territories only
- Star World Asia - broadcast times HKT/SIN and JKT/BKK; simulcast with the Middle East feed at 00:00 to 06:00 (HK/SIN)
- Star World Philippines - broadcast times PH; selected programs are not the same as Asia feed including local commercials and few of the local programs; a subsidiary of Fox Networks Group Philippines
- Star World HD Philippines - same as the Philippines feed except for the logo and commercial feed; launched on 1 March 2012; a subsidiary of Fox Networks Group Philippines
- Star World HD Vietnam - same as the Vietnam feed except for the logo and commercial feed.
- Star World HD India - same as the India feed except for the logo and commercial feed; launched on 15 April 2011; only available in India and Nepal. The channel ceased on 15 March 2023.[4]
- Star World Premiere HD - broadcast times IND; a premium channel launched on 26 September 2013 in India offering the latest seasons of the biggest shows in American television. The channel ceased on 15 March 2023.[4]
- Star World India - broadcast times IND; this has different content from the other feeds; this is the only feed managed by Star India (not by Fox Networks Group). The channel ceased on 15 March 2023.[4]
References
- "Star World". Fox International Channels. Archived from the original on 21 February 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- "Turn on as Star World rebrands to FOX life - InqPOP!". InqPOP!. 2 October 2017.
- Frater, Patrick (14 June 2023). "Disney to Close Remaining Linear TV Channels in Southeast Asia and Korea". Variety. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
- "Disney Star brings curtains down on English GECs; launches 9 new channels: Best Media Info". Best Media Info. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.