Monday, June 29, 2026

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.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

6/29/26 – South Korea’s World Cup Crisis, Brandon Aiyuk Holdout, Alyssa Thomas Suspended, Jaylen Brown Fires Back

0:00

Featured Today

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77
June 24, 2026

Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’

“Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
June 18, 2026

Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan

The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Laila Edwards, left, and defender Caroline Harvey celebrate after Edwards scored against the Minnesota Gophers in the first period in a game Saturday, February 8, 2025, at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin.
June 15, 2026

Two Rookies Are Rewriting Women’s Hockey Stardom

Their platforms are a mutual boon for the PWHL and its players.
Ai sports slop
June 5, 2026

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.
Jun 25, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie (8) in the first half against Turkey during a Group D match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Fox Predicts a USMNT World Cup Final Would Rival NFL Ratings

Fox’s Mike Mulvihill predicted a potential audience of 50 million.
June 25, 2026

NBC’s John Fanta: College Hoops ‘Has Never Been Stronger’

The NBC broadcaster said the college basketball product has never been better.
June 26, 2026

Amazon’s NASCAR Viewership Sees Slight Uptick in Second Season

Races on Prime Video averaged 2.29 million viewers this year.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Is Reshaping the Modern MLB Ballpark Experience

The technology powering baseball’s next chapter.
Feb 7, 2022; Westlake Village, CA, USA; ESPN reporter Dianna Russini at Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI Opening Night at Oaks Christian High School. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
June 25, 2026

NYT Russini Story Only Raises More Questions

Is The Athletic’s investigation into Russini’s work nearing its end?
June 25, 2026

U.S. Open Draws 5.5M Viewers, Still Trails PGA Championship

Sunday’s audience peaked at 9.3 million viewers.
Jay Williams ESPN NBA Draft
Exclusive
June 24, 2026

Jay Williams: Viral Draft Moment Was ‘Extremely Uncomfortable’

Williams’s draft co-hosts joked about his career-ending injury.
Oct 11, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly looks on against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Exclusive
June 24, 2026

Brian Kelly to Call CBS College Football Games

Kelly previously contributed to CBS Sports Network’s NFL Draft coverage.