Disney+ Streaming Service Now Has 54.5 Million Subscribers

[noone]

This isn't surprising to me. My household streams something on Disney+ almost daily, with Netflix and Prime not too far behind. I haven't watched a single thing on Apple TV+ during my free trial. Partly because the way its setup/laid out makes it difficult to find the exclusive content and when I did... I just didn't care about watching any of it.

 

[Appleman3546]

The streaming service launched at the perfect time

 

[derekamoss]

Except Disney doesn't have exciting original content (besides their Marvel and Star Wars series, which aren't showing up for a year). Apple continues to pump out good stuff. That's the key difference there.

A lot of people might say Apple doesn't have any exciting original content either, and they have no established content either. Disney+ might only have one exciting original show, which I disagree with. Jeff Goldblum's show is hilarious. They also have Star Wars and Marvel content, which isnt just kiddy stuff and some original content they have announced that looks really good. I don't know why people crap on disney+ but say apple tv is amazing. I honestly hope both of them succeed but right now Disney+ has way way more value due to established content and future content based on established properties, where Apple right now really has little value because they have no known established properties and future content is still up to debate on quality.
Look at it this way as if they were baseball cards. You can buy a pack for 2 dollars that has random cards and you might get one of the team or player you like (Apple) or for 2 dollars you can buy a pack of cards that you know has the teams you want in it and the players (Disney+). It's just a better value due to knowing what you are getting.

 

[lairdo]

Nitpick fix: "has grown to almost $55 million subscribers" - should not have the $ sign. "55 million." It is a great number even when taking into account the free accounts. It's still not even completely worldwide yet.


I have Disney+ also on the <$4 per month promo from D33. I have also found it completely worthwhile and have been going back to old content, enjoying Mando, Clone Wars and the behind the scenes Mando that just started. I would likely not have watched Frozen II but since they put it on there, I did. It was a worthy diversion for a Saturday night stay at home for me and my wife. We'll probably watch Onward for similar reasons.

AppleTV+ - also have that and tried to watch Amazing Stories and found it boring. We scanned the other shows this past weekend to find a show we could enjoy together, and none of them grabbed us both enough to try.

 

[ipponrg]

Remember that Ar40 claims he's a Disney "fanboy" but finds the content on Disney+ overly "childish".

Apple TV+ just screams “flop” to me. What can they do better (or different) than the other 8,000 similar services?

I'd say they have money to throw at content and not care if it's a complete loss. The fact that they gave it away for a year speaks volumes. Maybe one piece of content will "stick" and create a trend that people will talk about. It's underrated how important content buzz is. We'll see the results in a few years.

People speak of video streaming services as though they are mutually exclusive and you can only subscribe to one.

When you got the press (and maybe Apple themselves) spinning Apple TV+ as a fighter in the streaming wars, it's only natural to expect these debates.

 

[TracesOfArsenic]

Disney+ is great if you have kids but it held no interest to me as an adult (nor does AppleTV+ for that matter, and I have a free year).

 

[now i see it]

There's really no comparison between Disney+ and "that other streaming service." It's like trying to compare a day at Disneyland to, well, anything.

 

[Tech198]

CoVID stay-at-home must have been rocket fuel for Disney (and other streaming services). While Disney is probably badly missing their parks and cruises business now, they can certainly feel lucky on this business. Wonder how this compares to where Apple is at with TV+.

I always like to think the "those who start later, end up losing' (Disney+ may be pulling content off, but AppleTV+ is not exactly all gold either). Till that changes, my buck stops with Disney

 

[jetjaguar]

Apple with have all the content they need when they buy Disney

 

[Packers1958]

54.5 million worldwide. That's pretty anemic.
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They are only giving away 1 month of free trial, unlike Apple that is giving an entire year of AppleTV+ with the purchase of a device. I expect more people cancelling AppleTV+ after their trial than Disney+.

When Disney was first announced Disney+, they offered 3 years for the price of 2. Or about $4.99 a month. A much better deal than Apple TV+.

 

[Abazigal]

When you got the press (and maybe Apple themselves) spinning Apple TV+ as a fighter in the streaming wars, it's only natural to expect these debates.

You would expect better at Macrumours though.

Netflix’s biggest competition is that it, like Spotify, still isn’t profitable, and as the paid video streaming scene heats up over the few years, competition for ideas and shows are only going to heat up.

Honestly, I find Netflix’s slate of original content rather underwhelming. In addition, I go back to my earlier point about how easy it is to switch between multiple video subscription services. After I am doing watching that Chris Hemsworth movie on Netflix (see, it’s so forgettable that I don’t even recall the name), I can go into TV+ to catch “Defending Jacob” or to Twitch or Youtube, whichever catches my fancy.

So if you ask me, video streaming is not subject to the same “winner takes all” paradigm that music streaming is, for the simple reason that no one company has a monopoly on good, compelling video content. People are not going to subscribe solely to Netflix and forswear all other streaming options. This is further entrenched by the financial resources available to Apple, Disney, Amazon and AT&T, meaning they certainly have the resources to stay around for the long term.

There is also the possibility of Apple releasing a paid bundle containing video, music, news and gaming, which in turn guarantees a steady stream of viewer for TV+.

I am seeing a couple of parallels between Netflix and Spotify here. Both companies started with a clear first-mover advantage, which resulted in high subscriber numbers and significant mindshare early on. This would in turn draw competition from companies like Apple, and they are now forced to have to share the pie with Apple.

In summary, people thinking that Disney+ doing well somehow means doom for Apple are really missing the forest for the trees, what more than Disney+ is available within the TV app itself. I would personally be more worried for netflix than I would be for Apple.

 

[DNichter]

Good to see and I can understand why their service is popular, but I think the original content on Apple TV+ is better.

 

[Optheduim]

Apple TV + kind of sucks. The morning show is good as well as Home (I love a really good house show) as well as Central Park. However, I don’t see myself posting for the service.

I don’t think this type of service is their schtick... at all.

 

[The Cappy]

I’ve enjoyed Disney+ immensely since signing up. I went for the 3-year promotional deal which works out to less than $4 per month.

The final season of Clone Wars just concluded and was fantastic. Loved the Mandalorian. I’m really liking that movies that I would normally shell out $20 for release on Disney+ only a few weeks after digital iTunes release. Also, I can catch up on stuff I never saw in theatres — and their Artemis Fowl movie is now skipping theatrical release and going straight to Disney+.

Then they have a bunch of stuff for the kids and up to seven profiles and 4 concurrent screens.

A bunch more direct-to-streaming content is dropping this summer and fall. After my 3-year promotional deal is up I am betting the direct-to-streaming content production will be in high gear. It’s kinda hard to call it “original content” since it is all 100% Disney-owned/created content. (I.e.: if Netflix had a theatrical release like The Irishman and then went to streaming it is still “original content” — Disney can count that for just about every movie they release now).

Given Disney’s creative chops and the brands they own, I see this (combo’d with Hulu for those who want grittier shows) will be the must-have streaming service. I think Netflix is in trouble because all the studios are going with their own streaming services and that leaves Netflix to original content which is very expensive when the only revenue stream is monthly subscriptions.

This. People here are trying to make this about Apple vs Disney, but it's not. Whether you like Apple TV+ or not, the battle here isn't between Apple and Disney. It's between Disney and Netflix. HBO is a far bigger player than Apple and they're scrambling to avoid becoming marginalized.

 

[wouwout]

Apple is giving TV+ away with every device, including replacements and refurbished. Had my ipad replaced, warranty issue, and the 'new' (refurbished) one included a 1 year subscription.

 

[ipponrg]

You would expect better at Macrumours though.

Are you serious with the question? I think you are, but hopefully you're not.

There is also the possibility of Apple releasing a paid bundle containing video, music, news and gaming, which in turn guarantees a steady stream of viewer for TV+.

That is the hope, but I don't think you can assume the bundle is a guarantee. Using the small sample size from this forum alone, only a few vocal minorities like the Apple TV content. The Reddit Apple TV+ forum is very small compared to others. I personally don't know anyone at work or friends that use Apple TV+. There is no cultural buzz with Apple TV+ in general. That's not to say it can't improve, but right now, it's probably not a significant selling point for the bundle.

In summary, people thinking that Disney+ doing well somehow means doom for Apple are really missing the forest for the trees, what more than Disney+ is available within the TV app itself. I would personally be more worried for netflix than I would be for Apple.

I don't think it's doom for Apple. I think people expected much more from Apple given the rhetoric spun that they have near limitless cash to throw at content and how much they were focusing on "quality" content. Their bread and butter isn't Apple TV+.

I also don't think it's doom for Netflix either. We're in the era of unprofitable businesses being around for a while.

 

[Lozza013]

Love Disney+ I've been watching the Marvel films and Recess. Well worth the $8.99AUD for me. I also enjoy the shows from my childhood.

 

[miq]

It’s so amusing to see that some people just cannot bring themselves to criticise anything to do with Apple. Quite hilarious really 😂

 

[bigboy29]

I too am on that 3 year deal with Disney+ and am pretty certain that I will not be renewing. My kids are not interested; not once did they say to launch something on it, or asked me to do so. Older is about to go to college. I just don't really care much either. So for me, that was a waste (I looked if I can get a refund and no).

I also have Apple TV+... and while I have enjoyed some of the shows, I just don't know that it's worth the price of admission for me. I'd pay for a month here and there to binge watch For all Mankind and Amazing Stories. Tried watching See and Mythic Quest and could not get through it.

For me, Netflix and Amazon really are the staples; I usually watch Netflix more while wife usually finds stuff on Amazon, unless we are watching something together.

 

[falainber]

Good to see and I can understand why their service is popular, but I think the original content on Apple TV+ is better.

Anecdotally, Disney+'s Mandalorian and even Netflix's Tiger King each generated more buzz than all Apple TV+ combined.

 

[UnusedLoginID]

I got Disney+ the week they launched. I paid for a year which is normally $69.99 or $5.83/month. By the way, my monthly payment ends up being $4.57/month since I pay the subscription with iTunes cards credit, iTunes cards I get at 15% to 20% off through various promos like Costco, Safeway, Best Buy,… and I pay Apple Pay with my Apple Card (except Costco) for another 2% discount.
Disney+ has plenty movies for the whole family, not just kids… unless you think The Lion King or Star Wars or Avengers etc… are for kids. They have new releases every month, new and old movies.
I have AppleTV+ for free and haven’t watched it, not sure where to start and maybe I’ll get on it when Disney stops adding new interesting movies my way.

 

[Baymowe335]

Cool story. Disney+ simply doesn't have enough original content worthy of adults. It's kid stuff and teenager fare. Not a mature service at all. That whole "Apple aversion to graphic content" seems to have been a typo, because clearly Disney is guilty of that, not Apple.
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They have one show that was popular, The Mandalorian. In 8 months. I suggest you sign up and see just how little the service actually has to offer adults.

Lol, speak for yourself...Disney has tons of content for adults.
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54.5 Million on free trial 😂 they will not be paying for those when this is alll over. I’ve worked in customer service to know they will either contact customer service to report that they have cancelled before the trial ended or they will call the bank to file a dispute 😂😂

Totally incorrect. Disney hasn’t offered any long term free trials and even the Verizon base was only 20% of sign ups according to Disney themselves.

Newsflash, people and families in particular love Disney content.

55M subscribers since November is insane and has exceeded even Disney’s most aggressive expectation. They did not expect this number until 2023.

 

[oldwatery]

I received AppleTV+ for a year with my Mini and might as well have got it for a day. Garbage does not even get close to describing how bad the site and content are, at least for my tastes and needs.

 

[ksec]

You have people arguing about Disney have little content. When they are one of the largest Content / Media IP owner on the planet.

The internet is a place where Flat Earther loves!.

Personally I think Disney priced it a little too low and left money on the table. But I guess they could always have it rise later.

 

[ani4ani]

They are only giving away 1 month of free trial, unlike Apple that is giving an entire year of AppleTV+ with the purchase of a device. I expect more people cancelling AppleTV+ after their trial than Disney+.

In the UK, we only get a 7 day trial of Disney+ but the subscription offers were the similar at the time. Likewise, aside from the device + subscription model with Apple TV+, again only a 7 day trial is available; the irony with the Apple TV+ trial is that is plenty of time to watch a good chunk of their exclusive content.
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55M subscribers since November is insane and has exceeded even Disney’s most aggressive expectation. They did not expect this number until 2023.

I agree, It’s more subscribers than Apple Music (in far less time)