Disney+ hits 50M subscribers five months after launch
With millions staying at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney's fledgling streaming service, Disney+, has amassed tens of millions of new subscribers over the past two months.
Disney on Wednesday announced Disney+ now boasts 50 million paying subscribers, up from 28.6 million counted in February, reports Variety.
The massive uptick in subscribers -- some 21 million additions in about two months -- comes on the heels of an aggressive expansion into Europe and India. Disney+ launched in Austria France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the UK over the past two weeks, according to the report.
In India, the service launched as a beta on March 11 ahead of wide availability on April 3. The country already accounts for 8 million of Disney's 50 million paying subscribers.
Disney initially set a goal of 60 million to 90 million global subscribers by the end of its fiscal 2024, meaning the service is well exceeding internal projections.
"We're truly humbled that Disney Plus is resonating with millions around the globe, and believe this bodes well for our continued expansion," said Kevin Mayer, chairman of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International. "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 Plus."
Disney+ debuted in November with a mountain of content, including access to Disney, Pixar, Marvel Universe, Star Wars and National Geographic movies and shows, as well as hotly anticipated originals like "The Mandalorian."
Apple TV+, Apple's streaming service that dishes up original series and specials, launched that same month. The Cupertino tech giant has yet to detail subscriber numbers, though CEO Tim Cook in January said the service is off to a "rousing start."
Disney on Wednesday announced Disney+ now boasts 50 million paying subscribers, up from 28.6 million counted in February, reports Variety.
The massive uptick in subscribers -- some 21 million additions in about two months -- comes on the heels of an aggressive expansion into Europe and India. Disney+ launched in Austria France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the UK over the past two weeks, according to the report.
In India, the service launched as a beta on March 11 ahead of wide availability on April 3. The country already accounts for 8 million of Disney's 50 million paying subscribers.
Disney initially set a goal of 60 million to 90 million global subscribers by the end of its fiscal 2024, meaning the service is well exceeding internal projections.
"We're truly humbled that Disney Plus is resonating with millions around the globe, and believe this bodes well for our continued expansion," said Kevin Mayer, chairman of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International. "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 Plus."
Disney+ debuted in November with a mountain of content, including access to Disney, Pixar, Marvel Universe, Star Wars and National Geographic movies and shows, as well as hotly anticipated originals like "The Mandalorian."
Apple TV+, Apple's streaming service that dishes up original series and specials, launched that same month. The Cupertino tech giant has yet to detail subscriber numbers, though CEO Tim Cook in January said the service is off to a "rousing start."
Comments
Millions of kids hunkering down at home because of covid-19
Let's hope that these subscriptions also led to purchases of iPads and AppleTVs.
I guess it might be safer than actually biting a bullet. Not as gross, but probably safer.
↑↑↑ It's funnier if we don't acknowledge bite the bullet is an idiom.
On topic: Disney+ is better than I though it was going to be. I knew it would be good, but when bundled with Hulu and ESPN+, it's nice as all get out.
It wil take time for apple to Build up its Library. Disney Library didn't happen over night. They, "Apple" Need Hit series that will attract A younger Audience. JMO.
As a YouTube TV customer for live sports and news, along with Amazon Prime, we get plenty of other TV and Movie content. That said - AppleTV+ as free was a great test, as just the first two shows we’re hooked on have us ready for year two.
Disney invented "The Mouse," while Apple invented "the mouse."
Apple buying Disney doesn't make good business sense for a lot reasons.
So basically you never gave Apple TV a shot (never watched anything), and that's supposed to be damning for Apple TV, and a reason for you to cancel? It's like saying I bought a car and decided not to drive it, so thats the car's fault.
Apple TV doesn't have a TON of content, but whatever is there is pretty high quality, and all unique and exclusive. If you watched it all and hated it, thats one thing, but you never even attempted to engage with the content.
But one of the really great things about subscription streaming TV is that if a service isn't "doing it" for you, you can unsubscribe and save that money -- or use it on another service for a while and bounce back and forth as more content of interest is added.
One thing for sure -- zero interest in ever going back to commercial/cable TV.