• Loading stock data...
Monday, June 23, 2025

Disney+ Losing Subscribers After Missing Out on IPL Rights

  • Disney expects to have 230-260 million subscribers by 2024.
  • One analyst thinks that number will only be around 213 million.
Disney-IPL
IPL

Disney lost streaming rights to the Indian Premier League earlier this year —and many of its subscribers could be leaving with it.

“We now expect the company to come in below its 230-260 million guidance with 213 million as Disney+ Hotstar (in India) drops down to roughly a third of subs (versus the 43% estimate previously,” MoffettNathanson analyst Michael Nathanson reported concerning the 2024 guidance.

The company added 7.9 million subscribers in its last quarter, totaling 137.7 million.

Not all is lost for Disney. Nathanson noted the company’s direct-to-consumer business will bring in a 2024 profit of $300 million — a substantial increase from the previously forecasted loss of $310 million

  • Nathanson says the increase is from “removing our estimated jump in IPL costs needed to secure the rights.”
  • Disney signed a $3 billion deal for exclusive IPL TV rights.

Price Hike

Star India, which Disney acquired in 2019, paid $2.2 billion for digital and TV rights from 2017-22. This was the first year media rights were split into separate packages. 

“We chose not to proceed with the digital rights given the price required to secure that package,” Rebecca Campbell, Disney’s chairman of international content and operation, said.

Viacom18, a joint venture between Reliance Industries, Paramount Global, and Bodhi Tree Systems, locked in the streaming rights from 2023-2027 for $2.6 billion.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

LeBron James’s Growing Amazon Ties Could Lead to Prime Role

James has praised Prime’s NBA talent hires for the 2025–26 season.

Ja Morant Calls Out Stephen A. Smith After Memphis Claims

Smith made comments about the city on ESPN’s “First Take” Tuesday.
Tyrese Haliburton

NBA Finals Ratings Up Again in Game 4 but Still Down Overall

More than nine million people watched Games 3 and 4.

Featured Today

Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field
June 21, 2025

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.

Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals

Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.
June 17, 2025

Streaming Tops Linear for First Time, Sports Still Key to TV’s Resilience

Streaming hits another critical milestone in an accelerating media transition.
June 17, 2025

Stanley Cup Final Delivers Drama but Struggles for Eyeballs in U.S.

U.S. viewership fell while Canadian audiences for the event rose slightly.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
June 17, 2025

Zaslav Takes Pay Cut, TNT Sports Future Unclear in WBD Shake-Up

The TNT Sports parent company retools its executive pay after shareholder pushback.
Thunder
June 16, 2025

NBA, ABC Air Finals Lineup Intros After Fan Complaints

ABC aired player intros for the first time in 12 years Monday. 
Anthony Slater
exclusive
June 13, 2025

Top Warriors Reporter Anthony Slater Leaving The Athletic for ESPN

Anthony Slater starts at ESPN later this summer.
June 12, 2025

NBA Finals Ratings Rise in Game 3, but Still Trail Recent Years

The Pacers lead the Thunder, 2–1, in the Finals.