Disney to Reach 108 Million Streaming Subscribers in the U.S. by Year's End

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Ampere Analysis projection suggests the combined reach of Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus far outpaces Netflix

Disney Plus, home of Turner & Hooch
(Image credit: Disney Plus)

While Disney announced that it finished September with 179 million direct-to-consumer subscribers globally, the media conglomerate was typically coy about its domestic reach. 

But according to new research from Ampere Analysis, Disney's combined subscription streaming assets will reach around 108 million consumers in the U.S. by the end of 2021. That's a notable figure, especially when you consider that Netflix finished the third quarter with 74 million U.S. customers. 

Also read: Disney Unpacks Eye-Popping $33 Billion Programming Plan To Make Disney Plus and Hulu More Enticing

(Image credit: Ampere Analysis)

"The Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus bundle, which offers an $8 per month saving on taking the services individually, is a strong driver for Disney’s overall streaming growth in the U.S., particularly for ESPN Plus," said Toby Holleran, research manager for Ampere Analysis.

Also read: Disney Adds Just 5 Million Streaming Subs in Fourth Quarter

Disney disappointed investors earlier this month with the revelation that it only added 5 million DTC subscribers in its fiscal third quarter, which ended Oct. 2. Disney said last week that it's committing to spend $33 billion on licensing and producing programming in 2022. But Holleran sees renewed growth in the U.S. in the here and now.

"A strong content portfolio from Disney Plus and Hulu, making the most of its key Marvel and Star Wars franchises (on Disney Plus) and FX (on Hulu), as well as the continuation of live sports (on ESPN Plus) has further driven subscription growth this year," the analyst said.

"Additionally, the plan to incorporate Disney Plus and ESPN Plus subscriptions—alongside Hulu’s SVOD service—with a Hulu TV contract from next month will further push the domestic U.S. subscriber base of the three services, reaching around 108 million subscriptions by the end of the year," Halleran added. "Reports suggest that NBCUniversal is considering moving content from Hulu to Peacock in 2022, but because of the combination of attractive bundled pricing, alongside a strong slate of original content scheduled for release in 2022 across Disney Plus and Hulu, Ampere expects the combined suite to experience growth beyond 2021."

Daniel Frankel
Daniel Frankel

Daniel Frankel is the managing editor of Next TV, an internet publishing vertical focused on the business of video streaming. A Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered the media and technology industries for more than two decades, Daniel has worked on staff for publications including E! Online, Electronic Media, Mediaweek, Variety, paidContent and GigaOm. You can start living a healthier life with greater wealth and prosperity by following Daniel on Twitter today!