• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 8, 2025

ESPN+ Rises But Disney Misses Revenue Expectations

  • Disney brought in $20.15 billion in its fiscal fourth quarter.
  • The company saw strong growth in streaming, particularly ESPN+.
ESPN-Disney
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Disney continues to build toward profitability in streaming, with ESPN+ acting as a stabilizing force.

The media giant brought in $20.15 billion in revenue for the fiscal fourth quarter ending Oct. 1, a 9% increase from the same period last year.

  • ESPN+ led among the companies streaming services with 42% year-over-year subscriber growth, reaching 24.3 million as of Oct. 1.
  • ESPN+’s subscriber growth helped offset lower income from a drop in pay-per-view buys on UFC events.
  • Disney+ grew 39% to hit 164.2 million.

Fiscal year revenue showed substantial recovery from the pandemic: Disney banked $82.72 billion, a 23% increase from the previous year.

While streaming growth was better than expected, the company missed revenue expectations in both its parks and media segments. Disney’s stock was down around 6.4% in early after-market trading.

Gaining Stream

Total streaming revenue rose 8% to $4.9 billion, but the segment’s operating loss nearly doubled to $1.5 billion. 

“The increase in operating loss was due to a higher loss at Disney+ and a decrease in results at Hulu, partially offset by improved results at ESPN+,” the company wrote.

CEO Bob Chapek said he expects “DTC operating losses to narrow going forward and that Disney+ will still achieve profitability in fiscal 2024.”

The company has been enjoying its return to NHL broadcasting, banking $90 million in ad sales for the 2022-23 season, sources told Front Office Sports.

Disney could rake in more than $700 million in college football ads on ESPN and ABC.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

A helmt is seen during the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

CFB’s Revenue-Sharing Era Muddles Future of NIL, Adds PE Questions

Athletic departments can pay college athletes a combined $20.5 million this year.
Jul 3, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Jannik Sinner (ITA) returns a shot during his match against Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) on day seven at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Wimbledon’s Expansion Battle Looms Over Star-Studded Quarterfinals

The expansion’s loudest opposition is Save Wimbledon Park.
Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; President-elect Donald Trump speaks with Dana White (left) during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden.

UFC Confirms Talks to Bring Fight to White House Grounds

Discussions are underway to bring a UFC event to the White House grounds.
Nov 30, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) runs the ball against West Virginia Mountaineers defensive back Anthony Wilson Jr. (12) in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field.

Felix Ojo’s Agent Says Texas Tech Offered $5.1M At Start of Rev-Share..

Texas Tech secured Ojo with a seven-figure NIL commitment.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
James Harden

Adidas Posts Big Profits in First Quarter Without Yeezy

Profits and sales are up after selling off remaining Yeezys last year.
Oracle Park
March 18, 2025

S.F. Giants Selling Stake to Private Equity to Pay for Facility Upgrades

The team said the cash would not be used to grow payroll.
March 20, 2025

Nike Struggles Continue, but Signs of Turnaround Appear

The embattled company beats tepid expectations in both revenue and earnings.
Sponsored

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

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Aug 11, 2024; Paris, France; Medals are carried out on Louis Vuitton trays after the women's volleyball gold medal match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at South Paris Arena
February 16, 2025

LVMH’s New Push: World’s Most Powerful Luxury Group Is Coming for Sports

LVMH is making long-term deals—and they’re not done.
February 14, 2025

DraftKings Turns First Full-Year Profit, Stock Up 47% in 2025

The company’s sports betting business continues to grow despite headwinds.
Billie Jean King
February 13, 2025

Billie Jean King: ‘Billionaires, Not Millionaires’ Are Fueling Women’s Sports Boom

Billie Jean King wants more women involved in team ownership, too.
February 5, 2025

Under Armour’s Desired Turnaround Sees Sparks With Q3 Earnings Beat

The 2010s darling has been struggling to find the right formula.