Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Drive Revenue Growth

Disney recently released its financial results for the first quarter of 2026, letting us peek behind the curtain to see how Disney+ and other streaming services are doing. Unlike in the past, Disney didn’t share subscriber numbers this time around, following Netflix’s lead. But they mentioned that updates will be shared when they hit big milestones. So, even though we won’t have a clear subscriber count, we did get a breakdown of the streaming division’s financial performance.
In the last quarter, Disney’s streaming division, which includes Disney+ and Hulu, raked in $4.424 billion in revenue, showing a solid 13% increase from the previous year. Advertising revenue within the streaming division also saw a 4% uptick to $922 million.
While Disney had success at the box office with movies like “Zootopia 2” and “Avatar: Fire And Ash,” they also invested in a stake in the Fubo TV streaming platform, which offset some of those gains.
Disney CEO Bob Iger shared his thoughts on the financial results, expressing satisfaction with the company’s performance in 2025. He credited big hits like “Zootopia 2” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash” for contributing to the overall success. The executives also highlighted the strong performance of Disney+ and Hulu, mentioning the top-watched shows and upcoming exciting releases.
Looking ahead, Disney is committed to investing more in international originals for Disney+. They’re also making enhancements to the user experience, such as a new homepage and AI-generated shorts. The executives emphasized innovation and experimentation as key to driving engagement and improving the overall streaming experience.
While Disney has made significant strides in the streaming space, there’s still work to be done to solidify its position. The company’s streaming strategy has evolved over the years, and there are likely more changes on the horizon. The road ahead includes integrating Hulu more closely with Disney+ in the US and exploring further partnerships like the one with Fubo.
Overall, Disney’s focus on streaming is clear, and the company is determined to continue growing and innovating in this space. What are your thoughts on Disney’s latest financial results? Share your opinions on social media!