Disney+ has finally knocked Netflix off the streaming throne, gaining more subscribers than its arch-rival for the first time.
The latest figures show that the streaming giant added 14.4 million subscribers, bringing the total to 221.1 million.
This knocked Netflix back into second place with 220.67 million subscribers.
Ewan McGregor portrays his lead role in Obi-Wan Kenobi. Photo: Lucasfilm
Netflix started 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 productions including Ms Marvel and WandaVision.
The lineup proved a tough match for Netflix, which recently revealed that it lost nearly a million subscribers last quarter.
One of Netflix’s biggest successes to date is Stranger Things franchise starring Millie Bobby Brown, currently airing its fourth season. Squid fishing game and Bridgerton are also standout hits.
Speaking of the recent success for Disney’s streaming platform, chief executive Bob Chapek said: “We had an outstanding quarter, with our world-class creative and entrepreneurial team. We deliver outstanding performance at our domestic theme parks, strong live sports viewership, and significant subscriber growth at our streaming services.
“With 14.4 million Disney+ subscribers added in the third fiscal quarter, we now have a total of 221 million subscriptions across our streaming services.
“We continue to transform entertainment as we approach the second century, with compelling new storytelling across our multiple platforms and unique immersive physical experiences that exceed our guests’ expectations, all are all reflected in our strong operating results this quarter.”
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Despite the increase in subscribers, that’s not good news for Disney in its latest report, which also showed the company lost $1.1 billion in the last quarter.
Disney previously announced that it would be launching a new ad-supported streaming service in the US later this year, coming to the UK in 2024.
