Disney+ ended September with a total of 112.6 million subscribers in its ‘core’ markets, excluding India (Hotstar).
This was 7% more than the 105.7 million posted three months earlier.
The strongest growth was in its international, again excluding Hotstar, markets, with the number increasing by 11% from 59.7 million to 66.1 million in the quarter.
In the domestic (US and Canada) sector, the total rose by a more modest 1%, from 46 million to 46.5 million. Meanwhile, Disney+ Hotstar in India saw its subscribers total fall by 7% to 37.6 million over the same period.
Disney’s Hulu had a total of 48.5 million subscribers as of the end of September, barely changed on three months earlier. In terms of ARPU, Disney+ Core saw its ARPU increased by 2% in the quarter to $6.70. It was 3% higher in the domestic sector ($7.50) and up 1% in international (excluding Hotstar) to $6.10.
Disney notes that the operating loss for its D2C services Disney+, Disney+ Hotstar and Hulu) fell by 70% to $420 million in the year to September 30. At the same time, revenues were 12% higher at $5,036 million.
The decrease in operating loss was due to higher subscription revenue attributable to:
Increases in retail pricing at Disney+ Core and Hulu
Subscriber growth at Disney+ Core and Hulu
Lower marketing, technology and distribution costs
An increase in programming and production costs due to higher subscriber-based fees for programming the Hulu Live TV service attributable to more subscribers and rate increases.
