A performer dressed as Mickey Mouse entertains guests during the reopening of the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California, U.S., on Friday, April 30, 2021.
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If Disney+’s subscriber growth is any indication, the rumors that the global streaming market is nearing saturation have been proven untrue.
On Wednesday, the Walt Disney Company reported that total Disney+ subscriptions rose to 152.1 million during the fiscal third quarter, higher than the 147 million analysts had forecast, according to StreetAccount.
The streaming space has been in a state of upheaval in recent weeks, as Netflix disclosed another drop in subscribers and Warner Bros. Discovery announced a shift in content strategy. While Netflix expects subscriber growth to rebound, uncertainty has left analysts and investors wondering what the future holds for the wider industry.
Disney also posted better-than-expected earnings on both the top and bottom line, bolstered by increased spending at its domestic theme parks.
Here are the results:
- Earnings per share: $1.09 per share vs. 96 cents expected, according to a Refinitiv survey of analysts
- Revenue: $21.5 billions vs. $20.96 billion expected, according to Refinitiv
- Disney+ total subscriptions: 152.1 million vs 147.76 million expected, according to StreetAccount
Disney’s parks, experiences and products division saw revenue increase 72% to $7.4 billion during the quarter, up from $4.3 billion during the same period last year. The company said it saw increases in attendance, occupied room nights and cruise ship sailings.
It also touted that its new Genie+ and Lightning Lane products helped boost average per capita ticket revenue during the quarter. These new digital features were introduced to curate guest experience and allow parkgoers to bypass lines for major attractions.
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