The Walt Disney Company Africa revealed its entertainment slate for 2026 and 2027 at a showcase in Johannesburg. The company shared plans for movies, television, streaming, retail, sports and live events in Africa.
One of the biggest updates is for sports fans. Disney said all Formula E races will be shown on Disney+ under a multi-year deal, starting with the 2026/27 season.
Rochelle Knock, Vice President of Disney+ and Media Networks and Country Head for Sub-Saharan Africa, spoke at the event. “For more than a century, Disney has brought stories and characters to life that audiences have grown up with and loved,” she said.
Knock said Disney has been active in Africa for more than 60 years. She said the showcase celebrated the connection people have with Disney and the shows and films still to come.
From 18 December, Disney+ customers will get coverage of every Formula E event. This includes preview and review shows, practice, qualifying, race sessions and highlights, the company said.
Disney said South African users were given a new Disney+ app over the last month. The app offers more personal recommendations, a better ESPN viewing experience and new parental controls. Users can also watch while travelling in Europe, the US and other places.
New and returning series on Disney+ include Season 3 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Season 2 of Ahsoka. The sixth season of Only Murders in the Building and a fourth season of Tracker are also on the list.
In cinemas, Walt Disney Animation Studios will release Hexed on 27 November. The film follows a teenage girl who finds out she has secret magical powers.
Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday arrives in cinemas on 16 December 2026. It is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and brings together heroes from three different universes.
More films follow in 2027. Ice Age: Boiling Point opens on 5 February, and the Disney and Pixar film Gatto opens on 5 March. Gatto is set in Venice and follows Nero, a black cat who owes money to a cat mob boss.
Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling and directed by Shawn Levy, comes out on 28 May 2027. The Bluey Movie follows on 6 August 2027.
On television, Disney said it runs six linear channels across Africa. Disney Channel will premiere a new animated series called Doomies this month. The music movie The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen was filmed in South Africa and will also air.
National Geographic will show Animal Oddballs in December, with actor Ryan Reynolds looking at unusual animals. Everest: The Other Side is set to follow in 2027.
Disney also announced the twelfth year of its Healthy Happy Play Program with Sporting Chance. The company said the 2027 program aims to reach more than 300 000 South African school children since it began.
The company will also work with Sunshine Cinema, a local solar-powered media network, for a third time. Together they will bring Disney Jr. shows in local languages to early child development centres across the country.
On ESPN, rugby fans can follow France’s TOP 14 club competition. ESPN is also the only English language home of the NBA finals in sub-Saharan Africa, Disney said.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Hype Magazine. Image: Hype Magazine. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Entertainment desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Rirhandzu Baloyi writes about entertainment for Tzaneen Voice. Rirhandzu covers South African music, film, TV, streaming, awards and celebrity news, from amapiano and local soapies to Showmax and Netflix releases. Stories stick to what happened, who was involved and when fans can watch or listen.