Disney tops earnings estimates as parks and streaming offer a boost

Disney surpassed Wall Street's earnings predictions on Wednesday, highlighting the positive impact of its parks and streaming divisions. The company's experiences segment, encompassing global theme parks and cruises, experienced a 10% year-over-year revenue increase to $9.97 billion. Despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties, domestic park attendance in the U.S. rose by 3%, while per capita spending grew by 4%, according to CFO Hugh Johnston.

In particular, attendance at Walt Disney World in Orlando showed "very strong attendance," surpassing that of competitors in the region. Disney's streaming segment, primarily consisting of Disney+ and Hulu, also demonstrated growth, with revenue increasing by 11% to $5.53 billion. Factors contributing to the segment's success included an uptick in streaming subscribers, price hikes, and increased advertising revenue.

Additionally, the overall entertainment segment, which includes traditional TV and theatrical releases, saw revenue rise by 6% to $11.35 billion. The success of the animated film "Toy Story 5" at the box office, which has surpassed $1 billion globally, also provided a boost. Following a year of restructuring, Disney reported adjusted earnings of $2.06 per share for its fiscal third quarter, up from $1.61 in the same period last year.

Disney's shares gained around 4% in premarket trading. The company's sports segment, primarily composed of ESPN, saw a 4% jump in revenue to $4.5 billion, driven by subscription fees, affiliate fees, and advertising. ESPN recently launched its own direct-to-consumer streaming service. ESPN's TV ratings experienced a significant surge during the NBA and NHL postseasones, with a 100% increase in viewership.

This performance marked the strongest growth in viewership seen in over 25 years. This marks the second quarterly report for CEO Josh D'Amaro, who assumed leadership following Bob Iger. Disney's recent decision to shift much of its consumer products business from the experiences segment to the entertainment unit, effective in its fiscal first quarter of 2027, aims to leverage synergies between studios and merchandise.

Additionally, Disney announced a global deal with TikTok, which will feature a collection of curated Disney-centric fan-created content on the platform. This move reflects the growing trend of media companies seeking to engage younger audiences on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.