50% of Disney+ Subscribers Are Adults with No Kids, Bob Chapek Talks More About DTC at Morgan Stanley Conference

Matthew Soberman

Updated on:

Disney+ logo

50% of Disney+ Subscribers Are Adults with No Kids, Bob Chapek Talks More About DTC at Morgan Stanley Conference

Matthew Soberman

Updated on:

Disney+ logo

50% of Disney+ Subscribers Are Adults with No Kids, Bob Chapek Talks More About DTC at Morgan Stanley Conference

With emphasis being shifted to direct-to-consumer entertainment, it’s become clear that Disney+ has become a huge part of The Walt Disney Company’s future. But could it also influence the park-going experience? Disney CEO Bob Chapek seems to believe so.

2 disney logo 29e79241 fbd045f0

Chapek discussed the streaming service during the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecommunications Conference on Monday, which took up most of the Q&A session. During that time, he revealed some insights the company learned in over a year of operation. What took Chapek by surprise was Disney+’s appeal with adults without children, who comprise fifty percent of subscribers. He also doesn’t believe that the streaming wars will have a singular winner, suggesting that there’ll be “multiple winners” as streaming services continue to become more prevalent.

raya-and-the-last-dragon-trailer-1497984

And with Raya and the Last Dragon hitting theaters and Premier Access beginning on Friday, there was talk of how Disney will release films as COVID-19 vaccines are distributed and movie theaters continue to reopen. No details were given as to the future of Premier Access or what films could be released through the upcharge service that allows guests to watch new releases on Disney+ while they’re still in theaters. Chapek said that users have become “more impatient” given how so many studios have shifted theatrical releases to streaming in the last year, and the theatrical exclusivity window could be shortened, but the company continues to constantly reevaluate the situation to find the best release strategy.

Of course, there was also mention of the parks. While nothing official was announced, Chapek cited the interconnectedness of all branches of the company, alluding that guests’ Disney+ watch history could be used to help them plan the perfect Disney Parks vacation. It’s unclear as to how it would be used, though it’s possible that recommendations could be made based on the characters or franchises guests watch most. This could be achieved through Disney Genie, the digital planning offering the company announced back in 2019, yet hasn’t been rolled out in the parks so far.

As for offerings beyond Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ and Star also were touted. Chapek emphasized the importance of locally-branded content for Star, the international adult-oriented platform through Disney+ that offers films and television from the 20th Century and Touchstone libraries and more, which will offer fifty locally-branded originals by 2024. In the United States, Hulu is going strong, thanks to ad revenue and subscriptions being part of the Disney bundle. There was also mention of the high-profile discussions ESPN is having with the National Football League in renewing their deal. While not confirming anything, Chapek did say that in acquiring and renewing sports rights, ensuring streaming on ESPN+ is a crucial element in negotiations, saying that any agreement that adds value for consumers and the company is worth maintaining, though not “at any cost.”

falcon-1375295

Finally, he praised Marvel Studios’ upcoming projects for Disney+, citing the success of WandaVision, as well as calling The Falcon and the Winter Soldier “cinematic” in scope and Loki “inventive.” Surely, the future is bright for Disney+.

Keep reading WDWNT for more on what’s coming to Disney+!

3 thoughts on “50% of Disney+ Subscribers Are Adults with No Kids, Bob Chapek Talks More About DTC at Morgan Stanley Conference”

  1. How many of those “adults with no kids” are just those who got it free for one year with Verizon?

  2. We’re in the “adults with no kids” category. If Disney wants to use their data mining to target some cool offerings my way I’m fine with that. They’re doing the data mining anyway so what the hey.

    We love having “adult” options at the parks. But ultimately, for us, the parks should always be focused on the kids. I love being able to get adult beverages and good quality food, and it’s always a hoot when a joke or something is obviously targeted at the older crowd – the young ‘uns don’t laugh but we do. But we love watching the kiddos experiencing the parks. We took our great-nieces, ages 6 thru 10, to WDW a few years ago and it was the best experience for us as well as them.

    So if Disney wants to use the fact that we’ve watched every “behind the scenes” and “a day at Disney” kind of program they’ve offered in addition to all the other movies and specials to get insight into things we might be interested at the parks (can’t wait until the tours and special events are back. I was planning an entire WDW vacation heavily focused on those) I’m all for it. Just don’t diminish the magic for the kiddos!

  3. And how, pray tell, would Chapek even know this? Is he part of the US Census Bureau? And if he’s data mining, then how about mining the other important data in everybody’s house, how Chapek needs to be fired/replaced ASAP so that the parks can go back to what they once were.

Comments are closed.