Disney+ attracts 10 million subscribers on first day

[Shawn Knight]

What just happened? Disney’s first streaming video platform launched on Tuesday to what a company spokesperson described as demand that exceeded their highest expectations. On Wednesday, the company backed up that claim by providing an early look at sign-up numbers.

In its first day, Disney reportedly signed up 10 million subscribers to Disney+. Of course, it’s difficult to quantify that number as the entertainment conglomerate is offering a free seven-day trial to its streaming service. How many stick around after the promo and continue to pay for the service is what’ll really matter although I suspect the fall-off won’t be all that steep.

Research firm MoffettNathanson said in October that it expected Disney+ to hit eight million subscribers by the end of 2019 and 18 million by the end of Disney’s fiscal year 2020.

App analytics firm Apptopia on Wednesday said the Disney+ app has been downloaded 3.2 million times since launch. Drawing any comparisons between its performance and that of the Netflix app at launch are virtually impossible, however, because when Netflix’s app launched, streaming and mobile weren’t nearly as big as they are today.

Disney reportedly said in its press release that it has no plans to release further subscriber numbers until its next quarterly earnings call. That’s expected to take place in February considering the most recent earnings call occurred last week.

Disney app courtesy JL IMAGES

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/82757-disney-attracts-10-million-subscribers-first-day.html

 

[ShagnWagn]

I wonder how many of these are from the "free" verizon incentive?

 

[wiyosaya]

I wonder how many of these are from the "free" verizon incentive?

IMO, you can bet with certainty that Di$ney is playing a numbers game.

 

[VitalyT]

How many stick around after the promo and continue to pay for the service is what’ll really matter although I suspect the fall-off won’t be all that steep.

Do not underestimate the number of free-riders are out there. The fall-off rate can once again "exceed their highest expectations".

 

[Soulburn74]

My guess is they are strategically planning original content roll out, to keep fall off rate low (also why they are releasing shows traditionally (one episode at a time, instead of the binge full season style)). My guess is after Mandalorian is done, they will immediately launch the next big show (be it marvel or star wars related).. I know I'm good for at least season 1 of Mandalorian. after that who knows (I'm not a big Disney movie guy, and don't have kids, so the back catalog of disney movies is more of an extra for me, vs a driving force to subscribe.....)

 

[Jimster480]

This will fall off to 1 million likely. The whole service so far is a total joke.
There are no actual shows on this service.... just like HBO, Starz, Cinemax, Showtime they are expecting you to pay to watch old content.
Otherwise there are 2 new movies (1 is a christmas movie), and Starwars (that only is planned for 8 episodes on a weekly gravy drip).
The other 2 shows on there are non-starters and the fact that the service itself has ~5 hours of new content to launch with shows that disney just has no idea how streaming services work.

After the first week everyone will have watched every bit of content on that service and will drop their trial.

Once the next 8 weeks pass; people might sign up for 1 month in order to watch the whole starwars show and then drop it again.
Otherwise there is just nothing compelling to keep people subscribed.

 

[wiyosaya]

The other 2 shows on there are non-starters and the fact that the service itself has ~5 hours of new content to launch with shows that disney just has no idea how streaming services work.

Interesting. IMO, this supports my hypothesis that Di$ney is making an attempt to jump on what they see as a cash cow fad. You would think that with all their income and well over a year to prepare, they could have afforded a full-slate of original programming

 

[wiyosaya]

I just had a look at Netflix. There's still quite a bit of Di$ney material listed. WTF? I thought Di$ney was pulling all their content from Netflix?? Is this a Di$ney CY$$$ move?