Disney+, Netflix, and other streaming services: Subs, ARPU, Q3 2021

Disney’s earnings report Wednesday instructed a well-recognized story for its streaming service, Disney+: Subscriber counts are nonetheless rising, however the development is slowing.

Disney introduced added 2.1 million subscribers for its fiscal fourth quarter, which ended Oct. 2. That’s down from 12.6 million added the earlier quarter.

Slowing development was additionally the story at AT&T’s WarnerMedia and ViacomCBS. NBCUniversal’s Peacock added “a few million more subscribers” however did not reveal a brand new determine.

Only Netflix bounced again this quarter, reporting 4.4 million subscriber internet additions in comparison with simply 1 million provides in its second quarter. Netflix is anticipating an excellent greater bounce subsequent quarter, forecasting 8.5 million new subscribers on the energy of “Squid Game” and other buzzy content material coming to the service earlier than yr finish, together with “Tiger King 2.”

The slowing development amongst most streaming providers might counsel pandemic good points are waning as extra folks return to exterior actions and out-of-home work.

Still, the overall development of linear TV cancellations and streaming signups seems to be persevering with. Disney, WarnerMedia and AMC Networks all reaffirmed earlier full-year and future yr forecasts. And whereas pandemic good points might have slowed, manufacturing slowdowns and shutdowns have additionally ended, which can result in a surge of recent content material for the entire streaming providers.

Determining who’s successful and shedding the sport is not straightforward. A easy option to gauge that’s by complete subscribers and common income per person, or ARPU. But not each firm reveals these numbers.

Here’s a rundown of the place all the key streaming providers stand after reporting earnings for the calendar third quarter:

• 214 million world paying subscribers (up about 4.4 million from final quarter)
• 74.02 million subscribers in U.S. and Canada (up 0.07 million)
• Average income per unit, or ARPU, for U.S. and Canada: $14.68 (up $0.14)

Netflix continues to outpace the remainder of the streaming world with complete world subscribers and clear regional transparency round paying prospects and ARPU. It bounced again in Q3, including 4.4 million world subscribers after simply 1 million the earlier quarter.

• In April, Jeff Bezos stated greater than 175 million Amazon Prime members had streamed shows and movies in the past year. No updates were given during the second or third quarters.
• Prime memberships cost $12.99 a month or $119 a year but offer many benefits other than streaming video — including free one-day or two-day shipping on most Amazon packages. Amazon does not break out ARPU.

Apple has not revealed subscriber numbers since it launched in 2019. A spokesperson from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, a showbiz union that represents behind-the-scenes workers, told CNBC in September that Apple claimed less than 20 million subscribers in the U.S. and Canada as of July 1. In September, Apple saw its sports comedy “Ted Lasso” bring home seven Emmy Awards, a sign that the company’s streaming aspirations are starting to resonate with consumers.

• 54 million “sign-ups” as of July (no replace in 3Q)
• ARPU: ?
• Three tiers: Free with commercials, $4.99 a month for fewer advertisements and extra content material, $9.99 a month ad-free

Comcast’s NBCUniversal, the dad or mum firm of CNBC, didn’t share an up to date sign-ups quantity for Peacock, although NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell stated throughout an earnings name that the streaming service “added a few million more subs” throughout Q3. The firm has not launched an official determine for ARPU, however NBCUniversal estimated final yr that Peacock would ship a mixed $6 to $7 a month amongst its three tiers.

Average income per person stays a query for ViacomCBS, which includes Paramount+, Showtime, Noggin, and BET+ among its streaming subscriber figure.

AMC Networks did not share subscriber numbers but reaffirmed that it’s on target to reach 9 million paid subscribers by the tip of the yr, an announcement it first made in August. AMC Networks expects to have 20 million to 25 million subscribers by 2025.

Disclosure: NBCUniversal is the dad or mum firm of CNBC.