• Loading stock data...
Monday, December 29, 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

Dec 20, 2025; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels linebacker Tahj Chambers (26), defensive end Kam Franklin (5) and linebacker Jaden Yates (30) reacts after a fumble recovery against the Tulane Green Wave during the second half of a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

CFP First-Round Viewership Falls 7% Amid Stiff NFL Competition

Last weekend’s CFP games averaged 9.9 million viewers.
Heated Rivalry (L to R) - Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov and Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander in Episode 104 of Heated Rivalry. Cr. Sabrina Lantos © 2025

Hockey Needed Some Virality. Then Came ‘Heated Rivalry’

No one was prepared for the Canadian show’s smash success.

Terry Rozier Says Feds Overreached in Gambling Prosecution

Rozier argues the evidence against him is weak.
Rob Manfred
exclusive

MLB Teams Fear League Will Pick Winners and Losers in Tech

One company under consideration was founded by a top MLB exec’s uncle.

Featured Today

What It Takes to Pull Off Florida’s First Outdoor NHL Game

The Rangers will face the Panthers in Miami’s first NHL Winter Classic.
December 14, 2025

How Pickleball Became One Massive Private-Equity Rollup

Pickleball roads lead back to billionaire Tom Dundon.
Dec 9, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles against Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during the first half at the 2025-26 NBA Emirates Cup at Scotiabank Arena
December 13, 2025

The Lucrative NBA Cup Is Here to Stay

The in-season tournament, launched in 2023, is turning into a staple.
The Los Angeles Chargers host executives from UCLA Health on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
December 7, 2025

The Multibillion-Dollar Business of Pro Athlete Recovery

What started as ice baths has evolved into a multibillion-dollar industry.
Liam McHugh

Liam McHugh Says ‘NHL on TNT’ Is ‘Like a Hockey Locker Room’

McHugh talked to FOS ahead of the Winter Classic in Miami.
December 24, 2025

How Tom Brady Has Improved in Year 2 on Fox

A veteran Fox NFL producer told FOS what has improved.
December 25, 2025

Charles Barkley Calls ‘Greedy’ NFL ‘Pigs’ for Christmas Day Games

Barkley said Christmas should be for the NBA.
Sponsored

The Hidden Tech Behind Every Touchdown

Nearly two-thirds of NFL stadiums already rely on Cisco networks, and the Super Bowl will showcase the full scale of the partnership.
Dec 13, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NBA on Amazon announcers (from left) Taylor Rooks, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Blake Griffin and Udonis Haslem during the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals at T-Mobile Arena.
December 23, 2025

Biggest Sports Media Talent Moves of 2025

Netflix jumped into the sports podcast business.
Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Pat McAfee reacts prior to the game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Texas A&M Aggies during the first round of the CFP National Playoff at Kyle Field.
December 23, 2025

Say It Ain’t So, Pat: Is McAfee Ending Kicking Contest?

The College GameDay star hinted it was the last kick on Saturday.
December 22, 2025

NFL Streaming Record Still Stands Nearly a Year Later

A year-old league streaming record remains intact.
Dec 18, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) runs against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at Lumen Field.
December 22, 2025

Amazon Averaging Nearly 15M Viewers for ‘Thursday Night Football’

The Seahawks-Rams overtime thriller averaged more than 15 million viewers.