This week during a earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Chapek shared that Disney+ now has 103.6 million subscribers. While this is number is significantly above early projections for Disney’s streaming service, analysts had predicted a higher number. In fact, analysts expected the streaming service to have 109 million streamers by this point.
Disney seems happy with this number though. Chapek shared that it “every single market has exceeded expectations” and that it will continue to expand in June to Malaysia and Thailand. Disney also is projecting that they will have 230 million to 260 million subscribers by 2024.
Also, as the year continues forward Disney can look forward to both Loki and Luca to add momentum in its subscriber growth. This comes after things have slowed down after an unexpected surge in subscription growth during the first six months of the pandemic.
Disney+ has definitely exceeded expectations. Initially, it was expected that the service would be competing with Peacock and HBO Max at this point in its growth. Instead, it is now chasing and competing with Netflix with its approximately 208 million subscribers.
What do you think of Disney+’s slower growth this quarter? Do you think it will catch up with, or surpass, Netflix? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
