Streaming service Disney+ hit 50 million paid subscribers globally within five months after its U.S. launch, Disney said, calling it a “new milestone.”
The company last revealed on February 4 that the service had close to 29 million subscribers – meaning it’s up 75% since then. It handed down that number on its quarterly earnings call, generating kudos from Wall Street to Hollywood for a strong showing only three months out of the gate. Disney+ launched in November. In February, it was already well on the way to Disney’s target of 60 to 90 million worldwide subscribers by 2024 which, given the latest jump, now appears pretty conservative.
The Mandalorian to Frozen 2 to The Simpsons.
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It likely got a boost with much of the nation and the world in ‘shelter-at-home’ mode watching more TV and video content than ever, including it seems a lot of The Mandalorian, Frozen 2 and The Simpsons. Disney+ is ad free costing $6.99 and is also bundled in a package with Hulu and ESPN+ for $12.99.
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Disney’s now got a major lead in the streaming wars now as NBUniversal’s Peacock prepares to launch later in April for Comcast customers and HBO Max debuts in May. Jeffrey Katzenberg’s short-form mobile app Quibi hit on Monday and, according to mobile research firm Sensor Tower, installs for days 1-2 were just over 530,000. Quibi reached 300,000 its first day.
“We’re truly humbled that Disney+ is resonating with millions around the globr=e, and believe this bodes well for our continued expansion throughout Western Europe and into Japan and all of Latin America later this year,” said Kevin Mayer, Chairman of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International in a statement Wednesday.
“Great storytelling inspires and uplifts, and we are in the fortunate position of being able to deliver a vast array of great entertainment rooted in joy and optimism on Disney+,” he said.
In the past two weeks, Disney+ rolled out in eight Western European counties including the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, and Switzerland. Additionally, Disney+ became available last week in India, where it is offered in conjunction with the existing Hotstar service, and already accounts for approximately eight million of Disney+’s 50 million paid subscribers.
Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and other Disney brands.
Thousands of Employees worked hard, with insane deadlines, for over a year to make Disney+ a reality. Ask those Disney Suits how they rewarded those Employees. A month ago most of them got: 60, 90 and 1 year notices that their jobs were being eliminated. Those timelines have been moved-up now. They are using this pandemic as an excuse to fire hard-working people. This is another blatant PR move to boost their downgraded stocks.
The real question is how many are free memberships from the purchase of a Apple device or some other promotion. Retention percentages will be the real signal of how well the platform is performing. We also need to account for a surge in signups due to COVID-19.
These numbers are bogus. Disney was losing money at their theme parks before the shutdown. Their stock is down 30% so far this year. They’re desperately trying to stay afloat.
Lol I mean no they’re definitely not bogus. And they’re down 30 percent from February. Because of coronavirus. Which they secured additional funding for. So no.