Disney+ tops 50 million paying subscribers in first five months

Two animated characters stand outside at night near a pair of pants standing upright without a torso. The character on the left is smiling broadly and gesturing with his arms, as if celebrating Disney+ reaching 50 million subscribers. The character on the right, in a red flannel shirt, appears surprised by both events.
In Disney and Pixarā€™s ā€œOnward,ā€ brothers Ian and Barley (voiced by Tom Holland and Chris Pratt) are given a gift that allows them to conjure their dadā€”half of him, anywayā€”for one magical day. Their subsequent quest to conjure the rest of him is filled with magic, impossible obstacles and some unforgettable moments. Directed by Dan Scanlon and produced by Kori Rae, ā€œOnwardā€ opens in U.S. theaters on March 6, 2020.Ā  Ā© 2019 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Disney has confirmed that its new streaming service has hit 50 million paying subscribers.

The company launched in November in key markets like the United States, before rolling out its service in European markets in March, and has now hit more than 50 million subscribers.

According to Deadline, the company had just 28.6 million subscribers back in February, but as the COVID-19 coronavirus forces more of us indoors for self-isolation and lockdown, and with a European launch, Disney+ is now one of the most popular streaming platforms in the world.

Disney itself did not expect to reach 50 million subscribers by this time, but these exceptional circumstances have no doubt worked in the companyā€™s favor.

Disney said that it had hoped to reach 60 million subscribers around the world by 2024, but now it could hit that figure in the next couple of weeks as more people sign up to get their fill of premium Disney content.

Of course, Disney+ may not hold onto all of those customers, as users can sign up for one month and then drop off the next.

Before launch, the company ran several promotions in key markets allowing users to pick up an annual subscription for less than $50.

The giant has also partnered with telecom companies like O2 and Verizon to offer free premium access.

The service has proved so popular not only because of the global pandemic but because users can access an impressive back catalog of content and new original series such as The Mandalorian and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

Compare that to Apple TV+ which launched with only a handful of shows, and itā€™s clear which is more attractive.

Speaking of Apple TV+, the Cupertino company has yet to reveal subscriber numbers, but it is unlikely that it will be anywhere near the success of Disney+.

However, as Apple has been bundling in Apple TV+ for free for users who purchase an iPhone or Mac, the company could statistically have more subscribers than Disney, though how many of those sick around remains to be seen.

Are you surprised by these streaming figures? Should Apple be doing more? Let us know on social media and check back for more news and rumors on everything Apple, every week.

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