Disney had a successful end to its 2024 fiscal year, with a total of 122.7 million Disney+ Core paid subscribers. This marked an increase of 4.4 million subscribers over the previous quarter, surpassing expectations. The overall streaming business of Disney also showed profitability, with operating income at $321 million, a significant improvement from a loss of $387 million in the same period last year.
One of the highlights for Disney during the quarter was the impressive performance at the box office. Blockbuster movies like Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and Marvel’s “Deadpool & Wolverine” contributed to a total operating income of $316 million for the content sales and licensing segment.
The entertainment division revenue of Disney, which includes linear networks, streaming business, and content sales and licensing, saw a 14% increase year over year to $10.8 billion. The sports division revenue remained flat at $3.9 billion, primarily driven by ESPN and ESPN+. Experiences revenue, which includes theme parks, video games, and consumer products, saw a slight increase of 1% to $8.2 billion.
While linear networks revenue experienced a 6% dip, streaming revenue saw a 15% increase. Content sales and licensing also rose by 39%, thanks to Disney’s successful box office results.
In terms of subscriber numbers, Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. and Canada reached 56.0 million, while international customers excluding Disney+ Hotstar were at 66.7 million. Disney+ Hotstar subscribers increased to 35.9 million, and Hulu subscribers totaled 52 million.
Disney reported consolidated revenue of $22.6 billion for fiscal Q4, with a net income of $460 million. Adjusted earnings per share stood at $1.14. Looking ahead, Disney provided financial guidance for fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027, expressing confidence in long-term growth prospects. However, the company anticipates a slight decline in Disney+ Core subscribers in the next quarter due to a recent price hike.
CEO Bob Iger expressed optimism about Disney’s future, highlighting the company’s achievements in film, streaming, awards, live sports, and new projects in the Experiences segment. He emphasized Disney’s focus on managing businesses for both short-term and long-term success, leveraging its vast entertainment assets to drive returns and achieve strategic goals.
