{"id":397992,"date":"2020-12-10T20:28:18","date_gmt":"2020-12-11T01:28:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/?p=397992"},"modified":"2020-12-10T20:28:18","modified_gmt":"2020-12-11T01:28:18","slug":"the-walt-disney-company-surpasses-137m-paid-subscriptions-across-its-direct-to-consumer-services-shattering-previous-guidance-increases-paid-subscriptions-target-to-300-350m-by-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/the-walt-disney-company-surpasses-137m-paid-subscriptions-across-its-direct-to-consumer-services-shattering-previous-guidance-increases-paid-subscriptions-target-to-300-350m-by-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"The Walt Disney Company Surpasses 137M Paid Subscriptions across its Direct-to-Consumer Services, Shattering Previous Guidance; Increases Paid Subscriptions Target to 300-350M by 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Walt Disney Company Surpasses 137M Paid Subscriptions across its Direct-to-Consumer Services, Shattering Previous Guidance; Increases Paid Subscriptions Target to 300-350M by 2024 <\/b><\/p>\n

Company Announces Target of 100+ New Titles Per Year for Disney+ and Reveals Vast Slate of Incredible Content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, <\/i>Star Wars, and National Geographic<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Star to Launch in Select Overseas Markets in February 2021 As A Fully-Integrated part of Disney+, with its Own Brand Tile and a Wide Array of General Entertainment from the Company\u2019s Renowned Television and Film Studios that will Double the Content Catalog <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Standalone Streaming Service Star+ to Launch in Latin America in June 2021, Featuring Both General Entertainment Content and Live Sports <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

BURBANK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)–
\nThe Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) today revealed the ambitious next steps in its global streaming expansion at its 2020 Investor Day, with new details on the future of its direct-to-consumer services Disney+<\/b>, Hulu<\/b> and ESPN+<\/b>, a first look at its upcoming international general entertainment content brand, Star<\/b>, and previews of an exceptional slate of all-new content.\n<\/p>\n

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20201210006211\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/p>\n

Bob Chapek (Photo: Business Wire)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\nBob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company, and Bob Iger, Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board, led the virtual event, which included presentations from leaders of the company\u2019s content and distribution teams, along with financial updates from Christine McCarthy, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Lowell Singer, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations.\n<\/p>\n

\n\u201cThe tremendous success we\u2019ve achieved across our unique portfolio of streaming services, with more than 137 million subscriptions worldwide, has bolstered our confidence in our acceleration toward a DTC-first business model,\u201d said Mr. Chapek. \u201cWith our amazing creative teams and our ever-growing collection of the high-quality branded entertainment that consumers want, we believe we are incredibly well positioned to achieve our long-term goals.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\nDuring the Investor Day presentation, the company announced that, as of December 2, its portfolio of direct-to-consumer services has exceeded a total of 137 million<\/b> global paid subscriptions, including 11.5 million ESPN+ subscribers, 38.8 million Hulu subscribers, and a staggering 86.8 million Disney+ subscribers since its launch in November 2019. After greatly exceeding expectations, The Walt Disney Company shared guidance that it now expects its streaming services to hit 300-350 million total subscriptions by fiscal 2024, <\/b>driven primarily by a significant increase in content output. Disney+ alone is targeting to release more than 100 titles per year.\n<\/p>\n

\nBeginning March 26, 2021, Disney+ will be priced in the U.S. at $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year, while the Disney Bundle with Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ will be priced at $13.99 per month. A new agreement with Comcast was also announced, that will bring Disney+ and ESPN+ experiences to Comcast X1 set-top boxes and Flex platforms in the first quarter of 2021, joining Hulu which became available on these platforms in Spring 2020. Additionally, Hulu customers will also be able to subscribe to ESPN+ within the Hulu user interface and access the ESPN+ lineup of sports programming there beginning in early 2021.\n<\/p>\n

A New International Star in Streaming<\/b><\/p>\n

\nBuilding on the successful launch of Disney+ Hotstar in India and Indonesia, Disney shared new details for its international general entertainment content brand, Star<\/b>, which will be included as part of Disney+ in select international markets, and launch as a separate streaming service in Latin America as Star+. The Star brand will serve as home to thousands of hours of television and movies from Disney\u2019s creative studios, including Disney Television Studios, FX, 20th Century Studios, 20th Television, and more, enhanced by the addition of local programming from the regions where available.\n<\/p>\n

\nStar will launch in Europe and several other international markets on February 23, 2021 as a fully integrated part of Disney+, with its own branded tile and a new collection of renowned general entertainment series, movies, documentaries and more that will double the content catalog available to Disney+ subscribers. Disney+ will be updated globally to offer enhanced parental controls enabling the family-friendly experience parents expect, including the ability to set limits on access to content for specific profiles based on content ratings and the ability to add a PIN to lock profiles with access to mature content. In Europe, the service will be priced at \u20ac8.99 per month or \u20ac89.99 per year, with a similar pricing adjustment in the other Star launch markets, including Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The streaming service will continue its global rollout, now with Star, in new markets beginning with Singapore on February 23, 2021, followed by Eastern Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea later in 2021.\n<\/p>\n

\nIn Latin America, to take advantage of the region\u2019s portfolio of live sporting events, the company will launch Star+<\/b> as a standalone streaming service. Star+ brings together an unrivaled Star content collection, local original productions, and an array of live sports from ESPN, including top soccer leagues, grand slam tennis, and more. Star+ will launch in June 2021 as a stand-alone service for ~$7.50 per month (or the local equivalent), or as part of an attractively priced bundle with Disney+ for ~$9.00 per month (or the local equivalent).\n<\/p>\n

\nTo learn more about the international offerings in these markets, view the 2020 Investor Day Star Fact Sheet<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

The World\u2019s Best Stories <\/b><\/p>\n

\nAt today\u2019s Investor Day event, the visionary creative leaders from the Company\u2019s world-class content engines rolled out a new slate of content to fuel Disney\u2019s direct-to-consumer ecosystem. Over the next few years, Disney+ plans to release approximately 10 Star Wars<\/i> series and 10 Marvel series, as well as 15 Disney live action, Disney Animation, and Pixar series, as well as 15 Disney live action, Disney Animation, and Pixar features \u2014 all in addition to the premium content set to premiere in theatres or on linear channels before coming to the streaming service. In addition, it was announced that Walt Disney Animation Studios\u2019 \u201cRaya and the Last Dragon\u2019’ will be available on Disney+ with Premier Access in most Disney+ markets, at the same time as it is released in theaters, on March 5, 2021. Premier Access for the title will be priced at $29.99. Internationally, many upcoming original titles from Disney Television Studios, FX and 20th Century Studios will also premiere on Disney+ as Star Originals.\n<\/p>\n

\n\u201cThis incredible slate of new original content reflects our continuing commitment to harness the resources and immense creativity across our company to bring audiences extraordinary entertainment experiences unlike anything else in the market,\u201d Mr. Iger said. \u201cWe\u2019re proud that the unparalleled quality of our storytelling from our iconic brands remains evident across all distribution platforms, from movie theaters to our direct-to-consumer services.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\nTo learn more about all the content featured in today\u2019s presentation, view the 2020 Investor Day Programming Fact Sheet<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

\nHighlights from the presentations include:\n<\/p>\n

Disney General Entertainment Group Content<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Disney Television Studios for Disney+<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\nDisney Television Studios shared a look at some of the high profile family entertainment series in development for Disney+, including two projects inspired by Disney properties: \u201cBeauty and the Beast (working title)<\/b>,\u201d starring Luke Evans and Josh Gad with new music composed by Alan Menken; and \u201cSwiss Family Robinson<\/b>,\u201d which is a reimagining of the classic from Ron Moore and Jon M. Chu. The studio is also developing \u201cPercy Jackson and the Olympians<\/b>\u201d based on the bestselling book series by Rick Riordan from Disney Publishing Worldwide.\n<\/p>\n

\nDisney Television Studios is currently in production on four live action series set to debut on Disney+ in 2021: \u201cThe Mighty Ducks: Game Changers<\/b>,\u201d \u201cBig Shot<\/b>,\u201d \u201cThe Mysterious Benedict Society<\/b>,\u201d and \u201cTurner & Hooch<\/b>.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

National Geographic Content <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\nNational Geographic revealed its ambitious Disney+ slate including high profile titles \u201cLimitless With Chris Hemsworth<\/b>,\u201d\u201cWelcome to Earth (working title)<\/b>\u201d featuring Will Smith, and a fourth season of the Emmy-winning anthology series \u201cGenius<\/b>,\u201dwhich will profileMartin Luther King, Jr.\n<\/p>\n

\nThe studio also announced the new documentary film \u201cCousteau<\/b>,\u201d which will debut in theatres before coming to Disney+ alongside new documentary series \u201cSecrets of the Whales<\/b>,\u201d \u201cA Real Bug\u2019s Life<\/b>,\u201d and \u201cAmerica The Beautiful<\/b>.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Content for Hulu and Star<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\nThe Kardashian Jenners will create new global content under a multi-year deal, to stream exclusively on Hulu in the U.S. and internationally on Star, with an expected debut in late 2021. Also premiering on Hulu and Star next year are the premium series \u201cOnly Murders in the Building<\/b>,\u201d \u201cThe Dropout<\/b>,\u201d and \u201cDopesick<\/b>.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\nIn 2021, the slate of FX originals, which includes \u201cThe Old Man<\/b>,\u201d \u201cAmerican Horror Stories<\/b>,\u201d \u201cPlatform<\/b>,\u201d \u201cReservation Dogs<\/b>,\u201d and \u201cY: The Last Man<\/b>\u201d will be available on Hulu in the U.S. and Star in multiple international markets.\n<\/p>\n

Hulu <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\nHulu\u2019s award-winning, hit drama series, \u201cThe Handmaid\u2019s Tale<\/b>,\u201d has been renewed for a fifth season ahead of its season four premiere and \u201cNine Perfect Strangers<\/b>,\u201d starring and executive produced by Nicole Kidman along with David E. Kelley, will debut next year.\n<\/p>\n

FX <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\nIn addition to Hulu in the U.S., the FX premium content brand will bring its library of award-winning content and exclusive new originals to Star around the world. FX has ordered four additional seasons of \u201cIt\u2019s Always Sunny in Philadelphia<\/b>\u201d for the linear channel, FX on Hulu, and Star, smashing the record for longest running live-action sitcom in television history. The group announced it is developing the first series adaptation of the science-fiction horror classic \u201cAlien<\/b>\u201d and is in advanced talks for a two-season order of \u201cThe Stones<\/b>,\u201d a drama series about the world\u2019s greatest and most enduring rock \u2018n roll band, The Rolling Stones. FX will also embark on one of its most sweeping, sophisticated and adult series with the retelling of James Clavell\u2019s beloved epic saga, \u201cSh\u014dgun<\/b>,\u201d set within feudal Japan.\n<\/p>\n

Walt Disney Studios Content<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Lucasfilm<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\nLucasfilm announced an impressive number of exciting Disney+ series and new feature films destined to expand the Star Wars <\/i>galaxy like never before. Among the projects for Disney+ are \u201cObi-Wan Kenobi<\/b>,\u201dstarring Ewan McGregor with Hayden Christensen returning as Darth Vader, and two series set in the Mandalorian era from Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni: \u201cRangers of the New Republic<\/b>\u201d and \u201cAhsoka<\/b>,\u201da series featuring the fan favorite character Ahsoka Tano.\n<\/p>\n

\nAdditional new titles announced for Disney+ include \u201cAndor<\/b>,\u201d \u201cStar Wars<\/i>:The Bad Batch<\/b>,\u201d \u201cStar Wars<\/i>: Visions<\/b>,\u201d \u201cLando<\/b>,\u201d \u201cThe Acolyte<\/b>,\u201d and \u201cA Droid Story<\/b>.\u201d The studio is also revisiting \u201cWillow<\/b>\u201d in a new series with Warwick Davis returning in the title role.\n<\/p>\n

\nThe next feature film in the Star Wars <\/i>franchise, releasing in December 2023, will be \u201cRogue Squadron<\/b>,\u201dwhich will be directed by Patty Jenkins of the \u201cWonder Woman\u201d franchise. The next installment of the \u201cIndiana Jones<\/b>\u201d franchise directed by James Mangold, a Star Wars <\/i>feature film by writer\/director Taika Waititi and \u201cChildren of Blood & Bone<\/b>,\u201d based on Tomi Adeyemi\u2019s New York Times bestselling novel, round out the feature-film slate.\n<\/p>\n

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Production<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\nFor Disney+, the studio unveiled a star-studded lineup of original movies and officially confirmed it will produce \u201cHocus Pocus 2<\/b>,\u201d reboots of \u201cThree Men and a Baby<\/b>\u201dwith Zac Efron and \u201cCheaper by the Dozen<\/b>\u201dwith Kenya Barris and Gabrielle Union, and a new \u201cSister Act<\/b>\u201d film starring Whoopi Goldberg, who is on board as a producer with Tyler Perry.\n<\/p>\n

\nAdditional Disney+ projects revealed include \u201cChip \u2018N Dale: Rescue Rangers<\/b>,\u201d a hybrid live action-animated film starring John Mulaney and Andy Samberg; \u201cPinocchio<\/b>,\u201d directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks; \u201cPeter Pan & Wendy<\/b>,\u201d starring Jude Law as Captain Hook and Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell; and \u201cDisenchanted,<\/b>\u201d with Amy Adams returning as Giselle. New live action biographical films set for the service include \u201cGreek Freak<\/b>,\u201d about NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo, as well as projects about Keanon Lowe and Chris Paul. The group is also developing new animated takes on favorite 20th Century Studios\u2019 titles \u201cDiary of a Wimpy Kid<\/b>\u201d; \u201cThe Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild<\/b>,\u201d starring Simon Pegg; and \u201cNight at the Museum<\/b>.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\nThe studio also previewed its slate of feature films including \u201cJungle Cruise<\/b>\u201d; \u201cCruella<\/b>\u201d; a prequel to \u201cThe Lion King<\/b>\u201d; and \u201cThe Little Mermaid<\/b>.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Walt Disney Animation Studios<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\nWalt Disney Animation Studios made several announcements today, highlighting the upcoming feature film \u201cEncanto<\/b>,\u201d which includes new songs by Emmy\u00ae, GRAMMY\u00ae and Tony Award\u00ae winner Lin-Manuel Miranda and is slated for theaters in November 2021. The studio also revealed that \u201cRaya and the Last Dragon<\/b>\u201d will debut simultaneously on Disney+ Premier Access and in theatres in March 2021.\n<\/p>\n

\nMarking the first animated series produced by WDAS, the studio also revealed several new series for Disney+ including \u201cBaymax<\/b>,\u201d \u201cZootopia+<\/b>,\u201d \u201cTiana<\/b>\u201d and \u201cMoana, The Series<\/b>,\u201d as well as \u201cIw\u00e1j\u00fa<\/b>,\u201d which will be produced in collaboration with the Pan-African comic book entertainment company Kugali.\n<\/p>\n

Pixar Animation Studios<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\nPixar Animation Studios revealed its upcoming slate of original series for Disney+ and feature films. Among the titles are Pixar\u2019s first-ever long-form animated series \u201cWin or Lose<\/b>,\u201d which debuts exclusively on Disney+ in Fall 2023, and two brand-new feature films slated for theaters in 2022, Academy Award\u00ae-winning director Domee Shi\u2019s \u201cTurning Red<\/b>,\u201d and \u201cLightyear<\/b>,\u201d the definitive origin story of the hero that inspired the toy. Chris Evans will voice the hero on his journey to becoming the most famous Space Ranger ever. Slated for theaters next summer is the original feature film \u201cLuca<\/b>.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\nAdditional details were shared about new Disney+ series, including \u201cInside Pixar<\/b>,\u201d \u201cPixar Popcorn<\/b>,\u201d \u201cDug Days<\/b>,\u201d and \u201cCars<\/b>,\u201d as well as the upcoming feature film \u201cSoul<\/b>\u201d and short \u201cBurrow<\/b>\u201d\u2014both debuting on Disney+ on December 25, 2020.\n<\/p>\n

Marvel Studios<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\nMarvel Studios shared plans for the expansion and future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, revealing details about upcoming content for both Disney+ and theaters. Among dozens of upcoming projects, three new series for Disney+ were revealed, including the Samuel L. Jackson-starrer \u201cSecret Invasion<\/b>,\u201d \u201cIronheart<\/b>\u201d with Dominique Thorne as a genius inventor, and \u201cArmor Wars<\/b>,\u201d starring Don Cheadle as James Rhodes aka War Machine who faces Tony Stark\u2019s worst fears.\n<\/p>\n

\nThese will join the studios robust lineup of Disney+ titles including \u201cWandaVision<\/b>,\u201d \u201cThe Falcon and The Winter Soldier<\/b>,\u201d and \u201cLoki<\/b>\u201d; the animated series \u201cWhat If\u2026?<\/b>\u201d; \u201cMs. Marvel<\/b>\u201d; \u201cHawkeye<\/b>,\u201d with Hailee Steinfeld joining Jeremy Renner in the series; \u201cShe-Hulk<\/b>,\u201d starring Tatiana Maslany in the title role alongside co-stars Mark Ruffalo and Tim Roth; \u201cMoon Knight<\/b>\u201d; \u201cGuardians of the Galaxy Holiday Specia<\/b>l\u201d; and a series of original shorts, \u201cI Am Groot<\/b>,\u201d featuring everyone\u2019s favorite baby tree.\n<\/p>\n

\nIncluded in a host of new feature film reveals were \u201cAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania<\/b>,\u201d the third feature in the \u201cAnt-Man\u201d franchise, and \u201cFantastic Four<\/b>,\u201d which introduces Marvel\u2019s most iconic family. Marvel Studios\u2019 upcoming feature films also include \u201cBlack Widow<\/b>,\u201d \u201cShang Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings<\/b>,\u201d \u201cEternals<\/b>,\u201d \u201cDoctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness<\/b>,\u201d \u201cThor: Love and Thunder<\/b>,\u201d \u201cBlack Panther 2<\/b>,\u201d \u201cBlade<\/b>,\u201d \u201cCaptain Marvel 2<\/b>,\u201d and \u201cGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3<\/b>.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

ESPN and Sports Content<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\nESPN announced a milestone new 10-year agreement with the Southeastern Conference (SEC)<\/b>, expanding its partnership and adding college football\u2019s most-watched TV package, beginning with the 2024 season. The deal will also bring select SEC football games to ESPN+, beginning with the 2021 football season<\/b> and running through the term of the agreement.\n<\/p>\n

\nESPN+, which now reaches more than 11.5 million U.S. subscribers, will also launch several new original series and studio shows in the coming months. \u201cPeyton\u2019s Places<\/b>,\u201dthe Emmy-nominated series currently in its second season on ESPN+, will return for a third season (Fall 2021) and expand to other sports – with some of the most engaging names in sports fronting their own versions of the series, including Abby Wambach (soccer), Ronda Rousey (combat sports), David Ortiz (baseball), and Peyton\u2019s brother, Eli Manning (college football). ESPN+ will also launch \u201cStephen A\u2019s World<\/b>,\u201d a new, original program featuring the insights and opinions of one-of-a-kind personality Stephen A. Smith in January. \u201cMan in the Arena: Tom Brady<\/b>,\u201d the highly anticipated nine-part documentary series coming to ESPN+, is built around Tom Brady\u2019s never-before-seen, first-hand accounts of the journey to each of his nine Super Bowls. Plus, a newly reimagined version of SportsNation<\/b> will return weekday mornings, beginning in January, exclusively on ESPN+.\n<\/p>\n

About The Walt Disney Company<\/b><\/p>\n

\nThe Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes Parks, Experiences and Products; Media & Entertainment Distribution; and three content groups\u2014Studios, General Entertainment and Sports–focused on developing and producing content for DTC, theatrical and linear platforms. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $65.4 billion in its Fiscal Year 2020.\n<\/p>\n

Forward-Looking Statements:<\/b><\/p>\n

\nCertain statements and information in this communication may constitute \u201cforward-looking statements\u201d within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expectations about subscribers or subscriptions; statements regarding the future of our offerings (including our direct-to-consumer offerings) including content, launch dates and timing, availability, pricing, and other expectations and plans regarding our products; and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are made on the basis of management\u2019s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made. We are not under any obligation, and we expressly disclaim any obligation, to update, alter, or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from those discussed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Such differences may result from actions taken by the Company, including restructuring or strategic initiatives (including capital investments or asset acquisitions or dispositions), from execution risk in technology, service promotion, or creative development as well as from developments beyond the Company\u2019s control, including:\n<\/p>\n

\nfurther changes in domestic and global economic conditions and competitive conditions;\n<\/p>\n