Disney Plus has earned itself almost eight million more subscribers during the first three months of 2022, a major accomplishment considering its biggest competitor, Netflix, has struggled throughout the same period.
The new numbers were confirmed via The Walt Disney Company's earnings report for its second quarter, where it was confirmed that Disney Plus now boasts 137.37 million subscribers globally. This exceeded the expectations set by Wall Street and was a 33% increase over the previous year.
A big part of this growth can likely be attributed to Marvel and Star Wars shows like Moon Knight, The Book of Boba Fett and Hawkeye, which are exclusive to the platform. Similarly, Marvel blockbuster Eternals debuted on Disney Plus in January. The subscriber gain is not anticipated to slow with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ms. Marvel, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness all expected to be added over the next couple of months.
Considering that Disney Plus only launched in November 2019, it's a huge number for a streaming service that's not even been around for three years. It also didn't roll out to the UK until March 2020 with further European countries having to wait until September 2020.
“At Disney Plus, while we still expect higher net adds in the second half of the year than in the first half, it’s worth mentioning that we did have a stronger than expected first half of the year,” said The Walt Disney Company chief financial officer Christine McCarthy as part of the earnings call.
Interestingly, it was also noted that Disney missed out on $1 billion in revenue to end numerous content licensing agreements so that it could bring shows and movies it licensed out to other services. This was speculated (via THR) to be the Netflix Marvel shows such as Daredevil, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage, which arrived on Disney Plus in March earlier this year.
Either way, it's a huge rise for Disney Plus, and in the wake of Netflix losing 200,000 subscribers (the first time its subscriber base has dropped in a decade), could this signal an eventual change in the market leader? It's worth noting that Netflix has approximately 222 million subscribers, however, has seen a run of bad news recently with a lawsuit, multiple show cancellations and the aforementioned drop in subscribers.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
A Disney Plus subscription is priced at $7.99 / £7.99 / A$11.99 per month, or alternatively, you can take out an annual subscription at $79.99 / £79.90 / A$119.99 per year. A Netflix standard plan, on the other hand, is currently priced at $15.49 / £10.99 / AU$16.99 per month.
To help recuperate money, Netflix is set to introduce an ad-based tier subscription (something Disney Plus is planning to do too), as well as clamp down on password sharing between friends and family.
Matt is a freelance writer for T3, covering news and keeping up with everything games, entertainment, and all manner of tech. You can find his work across numerous sites across the web, including TechRadar, IGN, GamesRadar, Tom's Guide, Fandom, NME, and more. In his spare time, Matt is an avid cinema-goer, keen runner and average golfer (at best). You can follow him @MattPoskitt64
-
When is Black Friday 2024 – this Friday or next? Here's the official answer
Black Friday is on 29 November in 2024 – a week later than the year previous. But that's not stopped retailers putting on their sales...
By Mike Lowe Published
-
Forget Black Friday, F1 24 is completely free for a limited time
This top racing game has a free weekend
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
3 Netflix shows to watch after Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
Finished the gripping true crime drama about the Menendez brothers? Here are three other great shows to check out
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Netflix's no.1 show proves videogame adaptions can still be king
Arcane is absolutely smashing it
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
I can't wait for massive Netflix action movie with Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman
Carry-On looks sublimely silly
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Love Netflix's Drive To Survive? Catch this upcoming series about an F1 icon
Senna will tell a brilliant story
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Netflix's new Squid Game 2 trailer raises questions – and I'm already sold
The biggest show in the world is nearly back
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Keira Knightley as you've never seen her before in new Netflix thriller series
Black Doves looks like rip-roaring stuff
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
'Magic Mike at Christmas'? Yes please! New Netflix movie looks amazing
The Merry Gentlemen will scratch a particular itch
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Netflix's new Lindsay Lohan movie for the holidays has fans all saying the same thing
Our Little Secret looks like silly fun for the star
By Max Freeman-Mills Published