Disney Closes 100 TV Stations, Pivot To Streaming Continues

Millions of people are dropping traditional TV for streaming services, and now Disney is, too.

The Mouse announced Monday it is terminating 100 international TV channels this year, continuing a restructuring that’s funneling the bulk of its content into its Disney+ service. 

The company also closed 30 overseas stations last year and has been consolidating major TV and movie production studios. 

Disney’s streaming empire focuses on a few key properties:

• Disney+ — which holds a large library of original, classic, and acquired programs — has over 103 million subscribers.
• ESPN+, with around 14 million subscribers, recently acquired broadcast rights to MLB and La Liga, adding those to a portfolio that includes Bundesliga, PGA Tour, MLS, UFC, Wimbledon, and other major tennis tournaments.
• India-based Hotstar, which is bundled into Disney+ and known for its cricket coverage, accounted for a third of new signups to Disney+ in the fiscal quarter that ended April 3.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek said that the network is being proactive in remaking its content for a streaming-focused world.

Chapek noted earlier in May that Disney+ is on pace for 230-260 million subscribers by the end of 2024. Disney’s Hulu subscriptions grew 30% year-over-year to 41.6 million.