{{short description|Defunct Indian entertainment channel}} {{Use Indian English|date=July 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox television channel | name = Star World India | logo = STAR World.svg | logo_size = 180px | logo_caption = Logo used from 2008 to 2023. | launch_date = {{Launch date and age|df=y|1991|12|15}} <br>{{Start date and age|df=yes|2011|4|15}} (HD) | closed_date = {{End date and age|df=y|2023|03|15}} | picture_format = 1080i HDTV<br />(downscaled to letterboxed 576i for the SDTV feed) | network = Disney Star | owner = The Walt Disney Company India | country = India, Pakistan | area = Indian subcontinent | language = English | headquarters = Mumbai | sister_channels = Disney Star Channels | website = {{URL|http://www.hotstar.com/channels/star-world|Star World}} on Disney+ Hotstar }} '''Star World''' (stylized in all capital letters) was an Indian pay television channel owned by The Walt Disney Company India, a company wholly owned by The Walt Disney Company. During its tenure it had mainly telecast shows from multiple Disney-owned studios such as FX Productions, ABC Signature, and 20th Television. Its programming was content that would appeal to the 14 to 35-year-old urban population, with 24-year-old working professionals being its primary target demographic.
==History== '''Star World''' was first launched in India on 15 December 1991 as a flagship feed of Star World Asia. Then known as '''StarPlus''', it was the product of a partnership between Star TV and Zee Telefilms. In order to avoid competition within, the contract between the two conglomerates clearly encased the territories of operation for both networks: StarPlus exclusively aired English programming, with Zee TV being its Hindi-language counterpart. However, on facing severe losses and very little market growth, Star violated the terms of the contract by slowly incorporating more and more Hindi programming into its schedule. Zee took Star to court over violation of the non-competing clause and shortly after that Star's partnership with Zee was dissolved on 30 June 2000.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}
Consequently, Star TV split Star Plus' beam into two, in effect, providing two separate services for different regional audiences within Star TV's footprint. Star India took over the reins of the network in the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East, which enabled the channel to provide appropriate programming at accessible viewing time for audience across different regions of Asia. Subsequently, StarPlus was transformed into a Hindi-language general entertainment channel, with Star World becoming the network's English-language GEC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.equitymaster.com/detail.asp?date=10/01/1999&story=7&title=Zee-Life-after-Star-and-vice-versa|title=Zee: Life after Star, and vice-versa|website=Equity Master|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200711061120/https://www.equitymaster.com/detail.asp?date=10/01/1999&story=7&title=Zee-Life-after-Star-and-vice-versa|archive-date=11 July 2020|url-status=live|access-date=20 March 2021}}</ref>
Initially, the channel followed a scheduling format similar to American networks, with new episodes of shows being aired on a weekly basis, a few days after their US telecast. This was altered in early-2010 to shows being aired on a daily basis Weekdays (Monday-Friday), to consolidate the channel's core viewership and appeal to the population of India. Thereafter, programming was classified into weekdays, weekends and late night slots, with new shows being brought in on a monthly basis throughout the year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Joshi|first=Mitra|title=STAR World alters programming schedule to suit Indian taste|url=https://www.afaqs.com/news/media/25761_star-world-alters-programming-schedule-to-suit-indian-taste|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711094322/https://www.afaqs.com/news/media/25761_star-world-alters-programming-schedule-to-suit-indian-taste#bypass-sw|archive-date=July 11, 2020|work=Afaqs}}</ref>
The channel's high-definition feed was launched on 15 April 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bhushan|first=Nyay|title=Star TV India Launches Five HD Channels|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-tv-india-launches-five-179068|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140307042424/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-tv-india-launches-five-179068|archive-date=7 March 2014|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
=== Close down === On 16 October 2021, Disney announced that it would close down Star World and Star World Premiere HD, following similar decisions taken worldwide to close down English general entertainment channels.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 16, 2021|title=Breaking News: Disney Star India exits English general entertainment; Star World, Star World HD and Star World Premiere HD to go off air by November 30|url=https://bestmediainfo.com/2021/10/disney-star-india-exits-english-general-entertainment-star-world-star-world-hd-and-star-world-premiere-hd-to-go-off-air-by-november-30/|access-date=2021-10-16|website=www.bestmediaifo.com}}</ref> This will leave its youth channel Disney International HD, which consists of live action Disney Channel programming the only English entertainment channel from the broadcaster. The shutdown was delayed several times and Star World resorted into showing ''Koffee with Karan'' most of the day in order to pass time till its shutdown, while Star World Premiere HD would air the show 24/7.
The channels were eventually closed on 15 March 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=Disney Star brings curtains down on English GECs; launches 9 new channels: Best Media Info |url=https://bestmediainfo.com/2023/03/disney-star-brings-curtains-down-on-english-gecs-launches-9-new-channels |access-date=15 March 2023 |work=www.bestmediainfo.com |date=14 March 2023}}</ref>
==Programming== {{main|List of programmes broadcast by Star World}} Star World primarily airs popular shows from the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.
Star also holds exclusive broadcast, as well as streaming rights to all of HBO's original programming in India.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bhushan|first=Nyay|title=Fox's Star India Strikes Exclusive Deal for HBO Originals|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/foxs-star-india-hbo-content-845061|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802090156/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/foxs-star-india-hbo-content-845061|archive-date=2 August 2020|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
===Programming blocks=== '''Star World Weekend Binge'''
On 25 April 2015, Star World launched its weekend special programming block known as the ''Star World Weekend Binge''. The block's main features included the latest episodes critically acclaimed shows, airing throughout the day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.televisionpost.com/television/star-world-to-launch-new-property-star-world-weekend-binge/|title=Star World to launch new property 'Star World Weekend Binge'|date=1 April 2015|work=Television Post|accessdate=5 April 2016|archive-date=16 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416192101/http://www.televisionpost.com/television/star-world-to-launch-new-property-star-world-weekend-binge/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="1.01">{{cite web|url=http://www.televisionpost.com/television/star-world-unveils-line-up-for-weekend-binge/|title=Star World unveils line-up for 'Weekend Binge'|date=17 April 2015|work=Television Post|accessdate=5 April 2016|archive-date=16 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416164120/http://www.televisionpost.com/television/star-world-unveils-line-up-for-weekend-binge/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/english-entertainment/ar-world-unleashes-marketing-blitzkrieg-for-weekend-binge-150422|title=Star World unleashes marketing blitzkrieg for 'Weekend Binge'|date=22 April 2015|work=Indian Television|accessdate=5 April 2016}}</ref>
'''Star World Now Trending'''
On 21 September 2016, Star World introduced a new programming block called ''Star World Now Trending'' where the latest seasons of the most popular American shows were aired. Highlights included ''Empire'', ''The Blacklist'', ''How to Get Away with Murder'', ''Entourage'', ''Homeland'', ''Prison Break'', ''Awkward'' and ''Teen Wolf (2011 TV series)''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bestmediainfo.com/2016/08/star-world-now-trending-has-over-eight-new-primetime-shows/|title='Star World Now Trending' has over eight new primetime shows|date=31 August 2016|work=Best Media Info|accessdate=1 September 2016}}</ref>
'''Star World 10 Tickles'''
Star World introduced a weeknight one-hour comedy block called ''Star World 10 Tickles'' on 4 October 2016.<ref name="comedy">{{cite web|url=http://www.media247.co.uk/bizasia/star-world-india-to-launch-two-new-comedies-in-october-2016|title=Star World India to launch two new comedies in October|last=Baddhan|first=Raj|date=12 September 2016|work=Biz Asia|accessdate=6 October 2016|archive-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009070005/http://www.media247.co.uk/bizasia/star-world-india-to-launch-two-new-comedies-in-october-2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Black-ish'' and ''New Girl'' were the first shows to be aired on this block. Later, the block was extended to weekends in November 2016 where the latest seasons of shows like ''2 Broke Girls'', ''Speechless'', ''Modern Family'' and ''Son of Zorn'' were aired.
'''Shows That Are Gonna Explode (STAGE)'''
''STAGE'' was launched in June 2019, to air underrated shows with potential on weeknights at 10 pm, within a fortnight of their US broadcast. The initial catalog of shows for this block included ''Warrior'', ''True Detective'', ''The Passage'', ''Pose'', ''Succession'' and ''Fosse/Verdon''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.exchange4media.com/amp/industry-briefing-news/star-world-brings-stage-a-programming-slot-for-tv-shows-from-across-world-97472.html|title=Star World brings S.T.A.G.E, a programming slot for TV shows from across world|date=3 June 2019|work=Exchange4Media|accessdate=29 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.televisionpost.com/star-world-looks-to-boost-10-pm-slot-with-drama/|title=Star World looks to boost 10 pm slot with drama|date=2 June 2019|work=Televisionpost|accessdate=29 July 2019|archive-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729082208/https://www.televisionpost.com/star-world-looks-to-boost-10-pm-slot-with-drama/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official|http://www.hotstar.com/channels/star-world}}
{{STAR}}
Category:English-language television stations in India Category:Television channels and stations established in 1991 Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2023 Category:1991 establishments in Maharashtra Category:Defunct television channels in India Category:Television stations in Mumbai Category:Disney Star