• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Disney Streaming Growth Slows, ESPN+ Subs Increase 66%

  • Disney saw revenue climb 26% year-over-year in its final fiscal quarter of 2021, but faced some headwinds on its streaming growth.
  • ESPN+ grew 66% to reach 17.1 million subscribers.
espn_building
Design: Alex Brooks

Disney’s revenues climbed 26% in its last quarter of the fiscal year, though analysts expected more growth in its streaming networks.

The company brought in $18.5 billion in the three months ending Oct. 3, buoyed by a 99% increase in its Parks, Experiences and Products segment to $5.5 billion. 

Disney’s media and entertainment division drew $13.1 billion, representing 9% year-over-year growth.

  • Disney+ subscribers grew 60% year-over-year to reach 118.1 million.
  • ESPN+ subscribers were up 66% year-over-year to 17.1 million.
  • Hulu subscribers climbed 20% year-over-year to 43.8 million.

Still, Disney’s streaming networks lost $600 million in total, an increase from $400 million in the same period last year, largely due to high production costs.

Disney has looked into combining ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+ into a single offering, but is partly limited by ESPN’s rights deals. 

It also explored spinning off ESPN, in part so the sports media company could make a more fulsome embrace of sports betting without conflicting with the rest of the brand’s family-friendly stance.

ESPN was reportedly seeking to license its name to a sports book in a deal worth at least $3 billion, as of September.

Disney’s stock dipped as much as 5% in after hours trading, before partially recovering.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Verstappen

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix Breaks Viewership Record In Year 3

The previous two races started at 1 a.m. ET. 
Elle Duncan
exclusive

Elle Duncan’s Exit Sets Off ‘Stampede’ Inside ESPN

Duncan will likely leave ESPN entirely at the end of this year.
The BetMGM Sportsbook opened for business during the season opener between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Arizona Cardinals on the Great Lawn outside of State Farm Stadium.

Judge Erases Kalshi’s Early Win in Legal Fight With Nevada 

The state’s gaming regulator can demand Kalshi stop offering sports event contracts.
Nov 24, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) defends the puck from Philadelphia Flyers right wing Garnet Hathaway (19) during the second period at Benchmark International Arena.

NHL Commissioner Says League Can Control Prediction-Markets Contracts

Polymarket and Kalshi are “official partners” of the league.

Featured Today

How NBA Arena Experiences Went Ultra-Luxe

For the most connected guests, the game has become a secondary attraction.
Nov 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium.
November 24, 2025

Stafford, Rams Rise From the Pack to Super Bowl Contention

The NFL team now has the top odds to win Super Bowl LX.
Nov 16, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; NJ/NY Gotham FC celebrate after scoring during extra time against Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium
November 22, 2025

The NWSL Is Growing at Breakneck Pace. Can It Keep Surging?

While the league surges, it also must survive two major challenges.
Trinity Rodman
November 20, 2025

NWSL Regular-Season Ratings See Big Surge, Playoffs Up 5%

Regular-season viewership grew by over 20%, averaging more than 200,000.
The new Warner Bros. Discovery sign at Discovery HQ photographed in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, July 7, 2022.

WBD Seeks Sweetened Bids From Suitors—Due Dec. 1

The TNT Sports parent company is looking for elevated bids.
Nov 21, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) scores against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
November 25, 2025

Chiefs vs. Cowboys Could Draw Record 50M-Plus Viewers

One exec describes Thanksgiving showdown as a “perfect storm” for TV ratings.
Nov 29, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of the Amazon Black Friday logo on stage prior to a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
November 26, 2025

Amazon Readies Black Friday Sports Bonanza With NFL, NBA, Golf

Amazon has 15 hours of live sports for the post-Thanksgiving holiday.
Sponsored

NFL QB Christian Ponder Is Preparing Athletes for Business

Former NFL quarterback Christian Ponder discusses the transition from field to boardroom.
Nov 22, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena.
November 24, 2025

Sinclair Makes Bid for Rival TV Station Owner Scripps

The local media giant details its desire for greater scale.
Nov 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) poses for a television camera after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium.
November 24, 2025

Fubo-NBCUniversal Is Latest Carriage Dispute to Hit Subscribers

NBCUniversal channels are now gone from the streaming-based service.
November 23, 2025

Penalties in Vegas Reignite F1 Title Fight—and ESPN’s Final Stretch

There are two races and a sprint race remaining in the calendar.
Draymond Green
November 21, 2025

NBA Ratings Up 30% Through First Month Despite Star Injury Woes

The NBA added NBC and Amazon as new media partners this season.