Disney+

Disney+ is the direct-to-consumer streaming service of The Walt Disney Company, launched on November 12, 2019. Built on technology from Disney Streaming (formerly BAMTech), which Disney acquired for $1.58 billion in 2016 and fully bought out in 2017, the platform was designed to compete with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video by leveraging Disney's deep library of franchises. The service reached 130 million subscribers by early 2024, with a global presence in over 60 countries and a localized Indian version, Disney+ Hotstar.

Content spans Disney's major brands: Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and 20th Century Studios, with original series such as The Mandalorian and WandaVision driving early adoption. Revenue for fiscal 2023 was approximately $8.1 billion, though the direct-to-consumer segment posted a $1.3 billion loss. The company aims for streaming profitability by late 2024. Headquarters are in Burbank, California, with technology operations in New York and Amsterdam.

Recent developments include an ad-supported tier launched in December 2022, a password-sharing crackdown in 2024, and the integration of Hulu content into a single Disney+ app in the U.S. in March 2024. Controversies have included backlash over price increases from $6.99 to $13.99 per month for ad-free, the removal of shows like Willow for tax write-offs, and a lawsuit over the direct-to-streaming release of Artemis Fowl.[edit]