Disney+ embraced streaming’s worst trends in 2024 – and made money

The streaming service Disney Plus shed a staggering 700,000 subscribers in the final three months of 2024, the entertainment giant has confirmed.

Amid a climate of rapid streaming service price increases, Disney was one of the worst offenders last summer, adding $2 to the price of its ad-supported and ad-free services in the United States. That was the latest in a series of consecutive price hikes.

Couple that with the imposition of a crackdown on password sharing that began late last year and the message from a small group of subscribers is clear with close to three-quarter-of-a-million reaching for the cancel subscription button.

However, there were not enough rebels against the empire to put much of a dent in Disney+ subscriber numbers worldwide, which still sit at 124.6 million. And it hadn’t put a dent in Disney’s coffers either. Quite the opposite, in fact.

For Disney, the move has been successful. CEO Bob Iger was this week able to claim the victory of three straight quarters of profitability for the streaming service (via Variety). Profit over growth is now the aim, but it’s come at a significant cost for subscribers.

The price hikes, the ads (introduced in late 2023), and the crackdown on sharing passwords has accompanied a trimming of the original content output.

The company is now spending far less on Star Wars and MCU content marketed exclusively for the platform. And, although few of those hit the heights associated with those franchises, it still formed much of the incentive for fans to pay for Disney+.

Some would say fewer shows and a focus on greater quality is actually a good thing. However, there’s certainly less incentive to subscribe year round, because less of the content remains exclusively behind the Disney+ paywall.

No relief from price increases

That Disney has been able to introduce price hikes and ads, cut content output, and crackdown on people sharing passwords and turn a profit with Disney+ doesn’t bode well for us as consumers.

700,000 said “enough is enough” and ditched Disney+, but it’s not enough to discourage this strategy if only half half-a-percent of users cancel the service.

It only serves to validate Disney’s strategy. The gambit worked. It’ll keep raising prices until the equation flips again. As will the rest of the streaming players, who’re becoming increasingly emboldened by what feels like annual price increases.

You might like…

Meet the Anker 20W USB C Power Strip, the ultimate desk power solution! With 9,659 ratings and a stellar 4.6 out of 5 stars, it’s a trusted favorite for its reliability and performance. Over 3K+ units were bought in the past month!

This compact power cube features 3 AC outlets, 2 USB-A ports, and 1 USB-C port to power everything on your desk with ease. Equipped with a 7-point safety system, including fire resistance, circuit-overload protection, and short-circuit protection, it gives you peace of mind. Plus, enjoy super-fast charging for your devices.

Grab this versatile power strip for only $13.99. Buy Now on Amazon!

Help Power Techcratic’s Future – Scan To Support

If Techcratic’s content and insights have helped you, consider giving back by supporting the platform with crypto. Every contribution makes a difference, whether it’s for high-quality content, server maintenance, or future updates. Techcratic is constantly evolving, and your support helps drive that progress.

As a solo operator who wears all the hats, creating content, managing the tech, and running the site, your support allows me to stay focused on delivering valuable resources. Your support keeps everything running smoothly and enables me to continue creating the content you love. I’m deeply grateful for your support, it truly means the world to me! Thank you!