It seemed incredible to imagine when the streamer launched in 2019, but analysts Digital TV Research believe Disney Plus will pass Netflix within the next four years on its way to over a quarter of a billion global subscribers by 2026. Incredible, considering the vast upswing expected for Netflix, and testament to the strength of Disney’s reach, especially in Asia where 43% of the total subscriber base will come from just 13 Asian countries.
Research firm Digital TV Research shared the prediction in a report, projecting that the number of subscribers to Disney+ would reach 284.2 million in 2026, down from a 294.0 million estimate the firm had made earlier in the year. In 2026, Netflix will have 270.7 million subscribers, down from an earlier estimate of 286.0 million. In a February report, the firm had forecast that Disney+’s user base would surpass Netflix’s in 2026.
“Three platforms will control nearly half the world’s SVOD subscriptions by 2026,” according to Digital TV Research. “Disney+ will be the biggest winner, overtaking Netflix in 2025. Disney+ will add 140 million subscribers between 2021 and 2026 to bring its total to 284 million. About 121 million of Disney+’ subscribers (43 percent of its total) in 2026 will be in the 13 Asian countries under the Hotstar brand.”