Richard Plepler

The thinking in large part was that, look, Disney has these great brands, but they don't have a huge content library. It was not nearly as big as what Netflix already had.

The thinking in large part was that, look, Disney has these great brands, but they don't have a huge content library. It was not nearly as big as what Netflix already had.

For over a decade, Bob Iger spent billions on acquisitions that helped expand Disney's creative reach. But that was a drop in the ocean compared to what they were now spending to beef up for the streaming wars.

For over a decade, Bob Iger spent billions on acquisitions that helped expand Disney's creative reach. But that was a drop in the ocean compared to what they were now spending to beef up for the streaming wars.

For over a decade, Bob Iger spent billions on acquisitions that helped expand Disney's creative reach. But that was a drop in the ocean compared to what they were now spending to beef up for the streaming wars.

In order to compete with the Apples and Amazons and Netflixes of the world, Disney needed to look, act, and spend like them. But it also needed something else, some slack from Wall Street. Disney was spending like money wasn't real in order to build a service people would want to sign up for, just like the tech companies were. And so Iger had a pitch for investors.

In order to compete with the Apples and Amazons and Netflixes of the world, Disney needed to look, act, and spend like them. But it also needed something else, some slack from Wall Street. Disney was spending like money wasn't real in order to build a service people would want to sign up for, just like the tech companies were. And so Iger had a pitch for investors.

In order to compete with the Apples and Amazons and Netflixes of the world, Disney needed to look, act, and spend like them. But it also needed something else, some slack from Wall Street. Disney was spending like money wasn't real in order to build a service people would want to sign up for, just like the tech companies were. And so Iger had a pitch for investors.

The significant thing to know, Joe, is that he was telling Wall Street that you should value us based on the success of our streaming service. Value us the way you value Netflix, based on how many subscribers we get in streaming. Subscribers first, profits later. And much to Wall Street's delight, Disney Plus delivered huge numbers as soon as it launched in November of 2019. Matthew Ball.

The significant thing to know, Joe, is that he was telling Wall Street that you should value us based on the success of our streaming service. Value us the way you value Netflix, based on how many subscribers we get in streaming. Subscribers first, profits later. And much to Wall Street's delight, Disney Plus delivered huge numbers as soon as it launched in November of 2019. Matthew Ball.

The significant thing to know, Joe, is that he was telling Wall Street that you should value us based on the success of our streaming service. Value us the way you value Netflix, based on how many subscribers we get in streaming. Subscribers first, profits later. And much to Wall Street's delight, Disney Plus delivered huge numbers as soon as it launched in November of 2019. Matthew Ball.

Disney aimed to get 60 million subscribers within four years of launching.

Disney aimed to get 60 million subscribers within four years of launching.

Disney aimed to get 60 million subscribers within four years of launching.

Within just one year, Disney had over 70 million. Its virtual overnight success surprised everyone. But in 2022, after a few years of slugging it out in an increasingly crowded field, another surprise was in store for all the players in the streaming wars. It was not a pleasant one.

Within just one year, Disney had over 70 million. Its virtual overnight success surprised everyone. But in 2022, after a few years of slugging it out in an increasingly crowded field, another surprise was in store for all the players in the streaming wars. It was not a pleasant one.

Within just one year, Disney had over 70 million. Its virtual overnight success surprised everyone. But in 2022, after a few years of slugging it out in an increasingly crowded field, another surprise was in store for all the players in the streaming wars. It was not a pleasant one.

Yep, this comes as the company is reporting a drop in subscribers for the first time in more than a decade. It was like a bomb went off throughout the industry. If growth wasn't guaranteed, Wall Street had a new demand, profits. Streamers had to show they could make money fast.

Yep, this comes as the company is reporting a drop in subscribers for the first time in more than a decade. It was like a bomb went off throughout the industry. If growth wasn't guaranteed, Wall Street had a new demand, profits. Streamers had to show they could make money fast.

Yep, this comes as the company is reporting a drop in subscribers for the first time in more than a decade. It was like a bomb went off throughout the industry. If growth wasn't guaranteed, Wall Street had a new demand, profits. Streamers had to show they could make money fast.