By India McCarty
Disney has bet big on streaming, and it looks like it’s paying off — the company is on track to generate over a billion dollars off streaming alone.
“The company is taking major steps forward in streaming with the coming launch of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer service, our just-announced plans with the NFL, and our forthcoming integration of Hulu into Disney+,” Bob Iger, Disney’s chief executive, explained.
Iger added that there are also “more expansions under way” in Disney parks around the world “than at any other time in our history.”
Disney stated they’re on track to generate $1.3 billion in operating income from streaming. This is higher than they initially forecast, due to higher than expected subscriber growth.
They’re also predicting an 8% growth in their “experiences” business, which includes their theme parks and cruises.
One of the major moves Disney has made in the world of streaming is the recent announcement that Disney+ and Hulu will be merging into one platform.
“This will create an impressive package of entertainment, pairing the highest caliber brands and franchises, great general entertainment kids, programming news and industry leading live sports content all in a single app,” Iger said on a recent earnings call.
The “unified Disney+ and Hulu streaming app” will be available to consumers in 2026.
Related: Disney+ Hulu Combined App Projected to Outrank Netflix, Report Claims
Iger explained that, by combining the platforms, users will get a “better consumer experience,” while the company will receive “greater advertising revenue potential,” as it will be more efficient to package ad sales.
“I imagine down the road it may give us some price elasticity as well that we haven’t had before,” he added.
Disney has run Hulu since 2019 but didn’t have full ownership of the platform until last month, when they paid NBCUniversal almost $439 million to finalize the purchase.
This isn’t the only streaming deal Disney has in the works. It is currently preparing to launch ESPN+, the sports network’s first fully-featured streaming service. Disney and ESPN just signed a major deal with the NFL, giving them league equity.
Speaking to analysts during a third-quarter earnings call, Iger called the deal “one of the most important steps ESPN has taken really since they went from half-a-season to a full season of the NFL back in 1987.”
Disney has taken some big swings when it comes to the world of streaming, and, with the news that their streaming division is about to cross the $1 billion mark, it looks like they’re about to dominate the streaming wars.
Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About ESPN’s New Streaming App
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