Disney+ Needs to Fix Its Release Schedule in South Africa

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how Disney+ is probably the top player in my streaming setup. But as much as I enjoy the platform, one thing continues to bother me is the inconsistency in how they release shows in South Africa.

Take Paradise or Only Murders in the Building, for example. We get these shows on a weekly schedule, and each episode arrives the same day it's released internationally. That’s great! But then you have Abbott Elementary, Tracker, and Will Trent, where the release schedule feels completely random, leaving us weeks (or even months) behind the U.S.

For Tracker and Will Trent, we’re only now getting episodes that originally started earlring late last year. Meanwhile, with Abbott Elementary, Disney+ dropped around nine episodes all at once Netflix style before switching to a weekly release for the remaining episodes. So why the inconsistency?

And then there’s Bob’s Burgers, which might be the most confusing case of all. Disney+ released half a season, then completely forgot about it, only to later drop the next season without ever finishing the previous one. That kind of mishandling is frustrating for fans who are trying to follow a show properly.

I’m not even talking about Marvel or Star Wars shows here, as those are specifically made for streaming and usually have a clear release plan. The issue is with TV shows that air on networks like ABC or Hulu in the U.S. and then come to Disney+ for international audiences. The way these shows are handled makes no sense, and it’s frustrating for viewers who want to stay up to date without resorting to piracy.

This kind of confusion pushes people toward alternative streaming methods like OnStream and Stremio, where they can get content the moment it drops in the U.S. Disney+ needs to sort this out—either stick to a consistent weekly schedule for all shows or release full seasons at once. If the content is good, people will keep watching, but right now, this messy approach is driving viewers away.

What do you think about Disney+’s release strategy in South Africa? Have you experienced similar frustrations? Let’s discuss in the comments!