Entertainment
Disney CEO D'Amaro Wants to Overhaul Disney+ Streaming to Compete With Netflix
Key Points
Disney Overhauls Streaming Services to Jumpstart Subscriber Growth Streaming has been a drag on Disney’s share price as subscriber growth stalled. A tech overhaul and more foreign-language shows are in the cards. Josh D’Amaro rose to the top of the Walt Disney Co. by turning its theme parks into the envy of the world.
Disney Overhauls Streaming Services to Jumpstart Subscriber Growth
Streaming has been a drag on Disney’s share price as subscriber growth stalled. A tech overhaul and more foreign-language shows are in the cards.
Josh D’Amaro rose to the top of the Walt Disney Co. by turning its theme parks into the envy of the world. Now he needs to perform a similar trick with the company’s streaming services.
D’Amaro has instructed his leadership team to think of Disney+ as the front door for the company’s fans worldwide. Disney+ is introducing new features, like a better recommendation algorithm and vertical videos, which it says will close the technological gap with Netflix Inc. and YouTube and persuade users to spend more time within the app. The company is integrating programming from Hulu and ESPN to bring its full complement of movies, TV shows and live sports into one place. Disney also plans to increase its investment in local programming in markets like South Korea so international viewers have more reasons to sign up.