During the 7 months since Disney+ launched in the US, the streaming service has been carving out its niche in the market and solidifying its place as a staple among subscription streaming services. Data from Omdia Consumer Research shows that now one in four households in the U.S. have Disney+ in their home.
Disney+ is now the number 4 ranked SVOD provider in the country as well, accounting for 25% of U.S. SVOD subscribers in April. Netflix still sits at the top of the ranking list holding onto 60%, with Amazon Prime Video and Hulu in the 2 and 3 spots at 47% and 29% respectively.
Disney+ is a fast-growing streamer across the pond as well. In the UK, Disney+ has rapidly climbed its way to 4.3 million subscribers since launching March 24, 2020. By April, the Mouse House had cemented its spot as the third most popular streaming service in the UK sitting behind Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
“Disney+ arrived in the U.K. just as COVID-19 social distancing and quarantine measures commenced,” said Maria Rua Aguete, senior research director, video, TV and advertising for Omdia. “Streaming services like Disney+ and Netflix have become the biggest winners during the lockdown as consumers have sought new entertainment experiences to keep themselves entertained. The content and user experience offered by these services have proven to be their key differentiators. In particular, the current catalogs offered by these services have become increasingly alluring to viewers, given than the pandemic has halted production of new video content.”
Some of the factors playing into Disney+’s quick growth in the UK have to do with other streaming services facing issues with production delays for new content, while Disney’s whole appeal is based on the nostalgia which really works in its favor during a pandemic. Lack of sports on pay-TV and OTT platforms like DAZN that are focused live events may also have to do with the major success Disney+ is enjoying in the UK.
For more information about Disney+, check out our full review here.
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