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Comment by madrox | Hacker News Reader

Worth noting that they're surpassing Netflix by including ESPN+ and Hulu subs, so many customers are getting double or triple counted. It isn't just Disney+. Also, Disney has made a lot of partnerships to promote and sell subscriptions, such as through Verizon, which is usually how they end up growing their numbers so quickly. They usually include guaranteed minimums and I'm not sure how that's affecting this number. If I were an analyst, I'd love to know what percentage of subscriptions are coming through those deals, as they don't tend to create sticky customers.

Still an impressive achievement given how relatively new the service is, though. It's a testament to what a well oiled machine Disney is and their ability to pivot into new services.

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That means I am counted 3 or possibly even 4 times without paying a cent to Disney directly. I have an old Spotify Premium account that came with Hulu for free and now I have a Verizon Unlimited plan that includes free Disney+, ESPN+, and another Hulu subscription. Just goes to show that not all subscribers are created equal.

> That means I am counted 3 or possibly even 4 times without paying a cent to Disney directly.

The fact that you're counted several times is a relevant complaint about their published subscriber count; the fact that you don't give money directly to them isn't.

Little does OP know, a lot of businesses would take 10% of the revenue (as pass through from Verizon) on 5x the subscriber base at 20x less churn (since the subscriber has no incentive to cancel).

They are both relevant to me in assessing the true value of Disney's subscriber count.

Your slice of what is relevant might not be someone elses.

Did you actually activate all the separate subscription accounts for those partnerships? Especially the 2 Hulu free ones - if so, why?

I activated an account on each of the three services, but I would guess that Disney gets money for all four. But even if they do, Disney probably doesn't make the same revenue on these accounts than they would if they were from four independent people subscribing directly.

Since you have the Verizon Unlimited plan, Verizon can afford to pay Disney for you (that plan, and Verizon isn't cheap).

Disney won't be being paid for stuff that is compulsorily bundled with a plan.

Disney will only being paid for stuff that's an add-on to a plan - and even then, they'll probably only get half the revenue.

Are you certain of that? Your notion seems counterintuitive to me.

> Disney won't be being paid for stuff that is compulsorily bundled with a plan.

This is untrue[1] and also just not how these deals work. Verizon is paying Disney when bundling. It may or may not be full price.

1. https://www.fool.com/investing/2021/02/02/verizons-disney-pa...

Why are you framing it as double or triple counting? If I’m subscribing to Disney+ and ESPN+, I’m paying Disney twice. Unless you’re suggesting that paying for the Disney bundle is being counted as 3 separate subscriptions?

Because the title frames it as subscribers; not subscriptions. Disney probably doesn't have more subscribers than Netflix, but it has people paying Disney two or three times, as you say.

Or in this case perhaps not even paying (or at a steep discount)

American Express is paying for quite a few of them too I bet, the Platinum card comes with a $20 / mo “digital entertainment” credit valid that can be used on Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times

Also in India, Disney+ is called Disney+Hotstar which is a much cheaper alternative to Netflix. Their most expensive plan is ₹1500/year compared to Netflix's ₹7788/year. Even Netflix's basic plan in India is ₹2388/year.

In Thailand, which Disney+Hotstar also operates, its yearly pricing is $23 (can be as low as $14 if subscribed from an eligible mobile carrier). Netflix pricing for an equivalent (2 streams) are $10/month or $118/year, a huge difference. Even Netflix's super basic plan (1 mobile-only stream) starts at $3/month or $33/year.

I dont even use espn+ its just bundled with my Hulu subscription, I literally do not care for major league sports. I rather just play with friends instead.

But yeah if they are counting people like me and not Daily Active Users across platforms they are foolish.

Maybe they are double counting Hulu and ESPN subs in the US, but not internationally. We don’t get those services at all in the uk and are slightly bemused when Disney proudly announce the more adult series that are now on Disney+ because we’ve had them for months.

Same in Australia. We don't get Hulu and ESPN+ but they launched a new section within the Disney+ service, called "Star", that includes more "adult oriented" movies and shows.

Is there a reason that there is no de duplication? I wonder if Privac Notice and T&C prohibit to exchange data on a personal level (identifying level)? Does one know what is allowed or not if these are separate entities?

A lot of Disney+ subs are "free" packaged with other mobile deals. I know plenty of people gotten a full year Disney+ free. Give it abother 2-3 years. See how well it sustain giving free subs.

Disney owns ESPN, has for a long time

Indeed, and ESPN has always been far and away the largest source of revenue. In fact, the earnings call where Disney beat expectations but cable subs to ESPN dipped by half a percent saw a total run on the stock. ESPN+ is what they're hoping to wean cable users onto.

I suppose I should disclaim that I used to work there :)

And Disney owns 67% of Hulu.

Right, which is why they probably shouldn’t be double or triple counting subscribers.

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