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Disney overtakes Netflix - and raises prices to celebrate

25.8.2022

Translation: machine translated

It's official: Netflix is no longer the world's largest streaming service in terms of subscribers. Nevertheless, it remains more profitable. That is precisely why the new number one, Disney, has to raise its prices.

Admittedly, Netflix does not have as large and complex a streaming service network as Disney. Therefore, the following announcement should be taken with a pinch of salt. For the first time in history, Disney overtakes its competitor Netflix and records more subscribers. Specifically:

Disney+: 152.1 million subscriber:ins
Hulu, Hotstar and ESPN+: 69 million subscribers .- Total: 221.1 million subscriber:inside

Netflix again struggled with sinking subscription numbers last quarter, despite the release of the fourth "Stranger Things" season, currently registering "only" 220.7 million subscribers:inside. For the moment, however, these figures should only scratch the ego. From an economic point of view, the streaming service founded by co-CEO Reed Hastings is still much more lucrative. Disney's streaming service, on the other hand, is recording losses, as the American news channel CNBC reports. It is said to have lost a whole 1.1 billion US dollars in the last quarter alone - and no profits are expected before 2024. Netflix, on the other hand, posted a profit of $1.4 billion in the same period . Probably part of the reason why Disney+ will become more expensive in the near future.

Disney introduces ads - and raises prices

The news of Disney's summit storm comes as Disney+ prepares to launch its new ad-supported subscription model. In the US, the model will cost US$7.99 per month, the same as the current ad-free subscription. This, in turn, will cost US$10.99 per month from 8 December - or US$109.99 per year.

In the US, the new ad-supported subscription model will cost US$10.99 per month - or US$109.99 per year.

In this country, no details are yet known about upcoming price increases. However, Disney plans to roll out the ad-supported Disney+ subscription internationally - by 2023 at the latest, probably with price increases for the ad-free subscription. Curiously, Netflix is expected to launch its own ad-supported subscription model in the same period. Unlike Disney, however, with the aim of lowering prices for those who accept advertising. In this way, the Californians want to take the lead in terms of subscriptions again.

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Luca Fontana

Senior Editor

Luca.Fontana@digitecgalaxus.ch

I write about technology as if it were cinema, and about films as if they were real life. Between bits and blockbusters, I’m after stories that move people, not just generate clicks. And yes – sometimes I listen to film scores louder than I probably should.

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