Since its launch in 2019, Disney+ has firmly established itself as a key player in the streaming industry. Competing primarily against Prime Video, Netflix, and the newer contender Max, these platforms dominate the market, leaving services like Apple TV and Paramount+ in their wake. However, Disney+ is poised to face significant challenges ahead.
Disney+ Faces Stiff Competition
Recent financial reports from Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery have revealed a tightening race in the streaming sector. Disney+ gained 1.4 million new subscribers, bringing its total to 126 million worldwide, while MAX saw a surge of 5.3 million subscribers, totaling 122.3 million. The two platforms are now nearly neck-and-neck, with industry analysts predicting that MAX might soon surpass Disney+. Notably, Disney+ experienced a decline in subscriber growth, dropping from 158 million in 2024, while MAX is on an upward trajectory, growing from 99 million the same year.
With an extensive catalog made available in France since last year, MAX is attracting both HBO enthusiasts and newcomers. As the platform expands into major markets like the UK, Germany, and Italy, a significant increase in subscribers is anticipated.
Netflix Remains the Dominant Force
Despite these shifts, both Disney+ and MAX still trail far behind Netflix, which boasts over 300 million subscribers, and Prime Video, with 230 million. The rapid success of MAX, launched in the U.S. in 2023 following the Warner Bros. and Discovery merger, highlights the audience’s enthusiasm for its acclaimed catalog. As Netflix prepares to significantly increase its subscription prices, the question looms: could it lose subscribers to the growing competition, especially from MAX? Currently, MAX offers a standard plan at €9.99 per month, compared to Netflix’s €14.99—an appealing difference of five euros. It will be interesting to observe whether the gap between MAX and the red giant narrows by the end of the year.
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