iWorld
Disney emerges profit during first financial report in streaming business
Mumbai: Disney’s revenue for the quarter ending March 30 climbed to $22.1 billion compared to $21.8 billion in the corresponding period last year. Earnings per share for the quarter surged to $1.21 from 93 cents, exceeding analysts’ expectations of $1.02 per share on revenue of $20.53 billion.
The company celebrated its first-ever profit in the streaming business, with expectations set for the combined streaming businesses to be profitable by the fiscal fourth quarter, in line with guidance established in 2019.
The number of core Disney+ subscribers reached 117.6 million, while Hulu reported 50.2 million subscribers. However, paid subscribers for Disney+ Hotstar dropped to 36 million by 30 March 2024, from 38.3 million on 30 December 2023, with average monthly revenue per paid subscriber decreasing to $0.70 from $1.28 due to lower advertising revenue.
According to Q2 FY24 report, a 17 per cent decrease in operating loss at Star India was noted due to reduced programming and production costs attributed to the non-renewal of Board of Control for Cricket in India rights. However, this was partially offset by increased costs for Indian Premier League matches due to more matches aired compared to the previous year.
Disney+ Hotstar has been experiencing a decline in subscribers, losing 12.5 million paid subscribers in the third quarter ending on 1 July 2023, and an additional 2.8 million in November 2023.
The sports unit, ESPN, saw a two per cent revenue increase to $4.3 billion, while the experiences division, which includes theme parks and consumer products, reported a 10 per cent increase to $8.4 billion. However, there was a 17 per cent decline in sports revenue from Star Sports, reaching $105 million in Q2FY24 versus $127 million in Q2FY23.
The Walt Disney Company CEO Robert A.Iger expressed satisfaction with the strong performance in Q2, highlighting a 30 per cent increase in adjusted EPS(1) compared to the prior year. He said the positive outcomes of the growth initiatives set in motion the previous year, including highly anticipated theatrical releases, successful television shows, ESPN’s continued success, and strategic investments driving growth in the Experiences business.
iWorld
Prime Video unveils biggest India originals slate yet
Nearly 55 titles across languages signal deeper push into films, series
MUMBAI: Prime Video is turning up the volume on Indian storytelling, unveiling its largest-ever Originals slate at the ‘Prime Video Presents’ showcase, with close to 55 series and films spanning languages, genres and formats.
The new lineup, which stretches across Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, signals a clear intent: go bigger, go wider, and meet audiences wherever they are watching, whether on streaming screens or in cinemas. Alongside Originals, the platform also announced a fresh theatrical slate under Amazon MGM Studios, marking a deeper step into the big-screen business.
Among the headline acts is The Revolutionaries, a large-scale drama from Nikkhil Advani starring Bhuvan Bam and Rohit Saraf. The slate also features Matka King with Vijay Varma, Raakh starring Ali Fazal and Sonali Bendre, and Lukkhe, which marks rapper King’s acting debut. Adding a genre twist is Vansh – The Kalyug Warriors, positioned as India’s first homegrown Hindi superhero series for streaming.
Familiar favourites are also making a return, with new seasons of Farzi, Panchayat, Call Me Bae, Dupahiya, Dahaad and The Traitors in the pipeline, reinforcing the platform’s bet on established franchises.
Regional storytelling gets a notable push. Highlights include a Telugu adaptation of The Traitors hosted by Teja Sajja, the drama Guvvala Cheruvu Ghat, and Tamil titles such as Exam and returning seasons of Vadhandhi and Inspector Rishi.
The slate also opens new creative partnerships. Hrithik Roshan’s HRX Films steps into streaming with Storm and Mess, while Alia Bhatt’s Eternal Sunshine Productions backs Don’t Be Shy. Production houses including Excel Entertainment, Tiger Baby Films and The Viral Fever further deepen the creative bench.
On the theatrical front, the platform is lining up five films, including Raftaar starring Rajkummar Rao and Keerthy Suresh, VIBE directed by Kunal Kemmu, Dilkashi with music by A. R. Rahman, Nayyi Navelli featuring Yami Gautam, and Kuku Ki Kundli starring Wamiqa Gabbi.
According to Prime Video India director and head of Svod business Shilangi Mukherji, India remains central to the platform’s global growth, ranking among its top markets for new subscribers. She noted that nearly two-thirds of users watch content in more than four languages, underlining a growing appetite for diverse storytelling.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok, said the new slate reflects a continued push towards bold, culturally rooted narratives with global appeal.
In short, Prime Video is not just adding titles, it is widening the lens. From small-town dramas to superhero sagas and cinema-ready spectacles, the message is simple: more stories, more voices, and far more ways to watch them.
