Disney+ overtakes Netflix in race for subscribers

Disney+ has finally knocked Netflix off its streaming throne, gaining more subscribers than its arch-rival for the first time.

Latest figures show the streaming giant has gained another 14.4 million subscribers, taking it to a total of 221.1 million.

This has knocked Netflix back into second place with 220.67 million subscribers.

Image: Ewan McGregor reprises his lead role in Obi-Wan Kenobi. Pic: Lucasfilm

Netflix began streaming back in 2007, while Disney+ only launched in 2019.

Disney+ offers classic Disney movies, as well as Star Wars spin-offs including The Mandalorian and Obi-Wan Kenobi, as well as Marvel offerings including Ms Marvel and WandaVision.

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The lineup has proved a tough match for Netflix, which recently revealed it had lost nearly a million subscribers in the last quarter.

One of Netflix’s biggest successes to date is the Stranger Things franchise starring Millie Bobby Brown, currently airing its fourth season. Squid Games and Bridgerton were also stand-out hits.

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Speaking about the recent success for Disney’s streaming platform, chief executive Bob Chapek said: “We had an excellent quarter, with our world-class creative and business teams powering outstanding performance at our domestic theme parks, big increases in live-sports viewership, and significant subscriber growth at our streaming services.

“With 14.4 million Disney+ subscribers added in the fiscal third quarter, we now have 221 million total subscriptions across our streaming offerings.

“We continue to transform entertainment as we near our second century, with compelling new storytelling across our many platforms and unique immersive physical experiences that exceed guest expectations, all of which are reflected in our strong operating results this quarter.”

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Despite the gain in subscribers, it wasn’t all good news for Disney in the latest report, which also showed it had lost $1.1bn in the last quarter.

Disney previously announced it will launch a new ad-supported streaming service in the US later this year, coming to the UK in 2024.