 Logo used in the Middle East and North Africa since 2024 | |
| Programming | |
|---|---|
| Language(s) | English |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company |
| History | |
| Launched |
|
| Replaced | Fox Taiwan (relaunch) |
| Closed |
|
| Replaced by | Fox Life |
| Former names | Star Plus(1991–1996) |
Star World, currently stylized logo-wise incapital letters and formerly known asStar Plus, is an AsianEnglish language entertainmenttelevision channel originally launched on 15 December 1991 byStar TV in Hong Kong as the old iteration ofStar Plus. Originally available in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, as well as India and South Asia, since 2024 it is only available in the Middle East and North Africa after the closure of the Indian and Taiwanese feeds.
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 byNews Corporation) ended its partnership withZee TV on 30 June 2000, Star Plus was transformed into a Hindi-language channel on 1 July 2000, withStar 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 theUnited States, theUnited Kingdom and sometimesAustralia andNew Zealand to appeal toEnglish-speaking locals.[1]
Star World was first launched on 15 December 1991, showcasing international content from the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.
On 31 March 1996, STAR TV split Star Plus' beam into two, 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 Asian regions. 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 intoHindi entertainment channel with some English content programming. Earlier, STAR TV had a joint venture with Zee Telefilms, uplinking Hindi channel Zee TV from Hong Kong. But that partnership with that channel ended on 30 June 2000, resulted from the newStar World channel as an English entertainment replacement on 1 July 2000 for India and the Middle East.
On 1 April 1999, Star World, Star Movies, Star Sports, Star Gold, Star Plus, and SCM would receive their first major logo change as part of STAR TV's brand refresh.
On 1 October 2017, the Hong Kong and Southeast Asian version of Star World was rebranded toFox Life,[2] and shut down after exactly four years, on 1 October 2021.[3]
On 1 February 2020, the Taiwanese feed closed and some programs were moved toFox. On 1 January 2022, Star World replaced the Taiwanese feed of Fox, marking the return of the Star World brand in Taiwan. Disney, which hadpreviously brought FOX International Networks, decided to launchDisney+ in more Asian markets, and decided todiscontinue pay TV broadcasting, including Star World in Taiwan. The channel ceased for the second time on 1 January 2024.[4][5]
On 15 March 2023, the Indian version of Star World in both SD and HD feeds, as well as Star World Premiere HD, ceased broadcasting along with the launches and shutdowns of several other channels fromDisney Star.[6] As a result, Star World remains on air only in the Middle East and North Africa.
On 1 March 2024, Star World MENA underwent a rebranding and introduced a new logo and graphics package, along with five other Disney-operated channels in the region, many of which abandoned the Fox brand; moreover, its sister channelStar Movies shed its 2009 logo (still used in India and mainland China) and introduced a new logo.[7]