Walt Disney Company ended June with a total of 221.1 million streaming subscribers, edging past the 220.6 million posted by Netflix for the same period.
In the US and Canada, classified as domestic markets, Disney+ had 44.5 million, up from 37.9 million (+17%) a year earlier, while the international total, excluding Disney+ Hotstar, was 49.2 million, up from 33.2% (+48%) a year earlier. All told, Disney+ had 152.1 million (+31%) subscribers globally as of the end of Q2. Meanwhile, take-up of ESPN+ grew strongly – up 53% to 22.8 million – and Hulu saw its subscriber total increase by 8% to 46.2 million. Disney+ had -5% lower ARPU in the US and Canada in Q2 ($6.27) compared to a year earlier ($6.62), while in international, excluding Hotstar, it rose by 14%, from $5.52 to $6.31.
Commenting on the results for the streaming services, Bob Chapek, CEO, The Walt Disney Company, said: “with 14.4 million Disney+ subscribers added in the fiscal third quarter, we now have 221 million total subscriptions across our streaming offerings”.
Alongside its results, the company has announced pricing details of the Disney+ ad-supported subscription tier, which will launch in the US on December 8. The basic Disney+ package with ads will cost $7.99 a month, while the premium one with no ads will cost $10.99 a month or $109.99 a year.
New prices will also be introduced for ESPN+ on August 23 and Hulu+ on October 10. Hulu with ads will cost $7.99 a month or $79.99 a year, and premium without ads $14.99. ESPN+ with ads will cost $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year, while UFC PPV will be $74.99 per event and UPC PPV+ $124.98 a year. There will also be Disney and Hulu+ Live TV plans on offer. The cheapest of these, a basic Disney+ and Hulu with ads, will cost $9.99 a month, and most expensive, with ad-free Disney+ and Hulu and ESPN+ with ads, $82.99 a month.
Commenting on the pricing, Kareem Daniel, chairman, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, said: “With our new ad-supported Disney+ offering and an expanded lineup of plans across our entire streaming portfolio, we will be providing greater consumer choice at a variety of price points to cater to the diverse needs of our viewers and appeal to an even broader audience.
“Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ feature unparalleled content and viewing experiences and offer the best value in streaming today, with over 100,000 movie titles, TV episodes, original shows, sports and live events collectively”.
