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Disney+ tops 60m subscribers

As it reaches early targets, Disney+ will release Mulan online, but for an added fee.

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Disney+ has acquired 60.5 million global subscribers since its launch last November.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek said during the company’s earnings call it reached 57.5 million subscribers by the end of June before surpassing the 60m mark in the last couple of days. It is already at the low end of the 60 million-90 million range it told investors it would get to by 2024.

Hamilton was a major draw for new subscribers toward the end of the quarter, though its July premiere came just after the end of the quarter. The company halted all promotional offers, forcing anyone signing up in June to pay full price.

Chapek also confirmed that live action film Mulan, will by-pass cinemas and will debut September 4 on Disney+ for $29.99 US. It was originally due for a cinema release in March.

Disney will also launch a new streaming service internationally under its Star brand in September.

Source: Deadline

14 Responses

  1. I think I paid $29 for some new release films during Pandemic. Bloodshot was entertaining, fight me!
    I wouldn’t be keen on paying too much more though.

  2. I have read that Disney has confirmed that Disney+ subscribers who buy Mulan for $29.99 (USA price) will have access to the film as long as they subscribe to the service, and that it is not just a one-time rental fee. Disney+ need to announce the Australian price asap. People are getting covid fever when they think a film like this which could have possibly made U$80-100+million could be released for “free” on any streaming services. you wont see any other major summer releases from Tom Cruise, Bond, Black Widow and so on being released to any streaming service for free. Tom Hank’s “Greyhound” reportly auctioned for U$70million for AppleTV+ loses a great deal of impact being on the small screen. Sony would not have sold it without it selling for what they projected was its box-office reach.

    1. Nobody expects anything for free, but Disney charging $29.99 USD for a film that’s destined to end up on their streaming service anyway is laughable. I won’t be surprised if they renege on this.

      1. All movies are destined for the Streaming services….The film would have had its theatrical run, and any other window before its streaming run to recoup its costs. they need to look at ways to release these “summer” titles to the market and make the money. I for one would pay $30 to see the new Bond “No Time to Die” at home during lock down, I’m not going anywhere near a cinema for many months.

  4. I would like to know the exact breakdown on subscriptions , how many are the Full Year and what is the average monthly subscription on a month to month renewal.
    I have only signed up for a 3 month stint and now Disney’s on ice until The Mandarlorian comes out.

    2. Their quarterly earnings reports gives the total paid subscribers at the end of the quarter and gives an explanation of what ‘paid subscriber’ is. It also states ARPU for the 4th quarter of $US4.62 is an average per month, and gives an explanation of how that is calculated.

    1. Its expensive for 1 person, but if you take yours kids to the move (i.e Me plus 2 kids) I’m saving money at $40, especially if once you “unlock it” you can re-watch as many times as you want. Movie tickets for Disney movies at my local cinema are $15 per person (including for children), so $40 vs $45 + not to mention if you buy popcorn at the cinema too.

    1. No US$30 is not a typo, remember is a US$200 million budget film excluding advertising (normally double the budget to get a rough number). Disney ran a full ad campaign in the US including a Superbowl spots plus ads all over key cities on buses, signs etc in LA, New York and other large cities.
      So, US$400 million divided by $30 means that if about 13.5 million Disney+ Accounts need to buy at $30 unlock price they are breaking even, and i’m sure that it will bring in new subscribers to D+ too.

    1. You forgot in the US it doesn’t have tax (so add 10% GST in Australia too). It could end up more like AUD$45 including GST. But what other options are going to bring in revenue for Disney. I’m sure that after a month or two they will make it available on other platforms before dropping the price to capture as much of a market as possible. The film probably would have made a billion dollars at the theatrical box office (like most Disney live action film).

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