Disney Reports Better-Than-Expected Q2 Earnings, Subscription Revenue Up 14%
"Now Streaming" is The Fly's weekly recap of the stories surrounding the biggest content streamers.DISNEY RESULTS:This week, Disneyreported better-than-expected Q2 earnings and revenue. Of note, Disney Entertainment subscription and affiliate revenues grew 14% compared to the prior-year quarter, with the Fubo transaction contributing 5%. Disney Entertainment advertising revenues grew nearly 5% compared to the prior-year quarter, with the Fubotransaction contributing more than 1%. "This growth reflects our expanding streaming revenues more than offsetting our declining linear revenues," the company said. "We currently generate more Entertainment subscription and affiliate fees and advertising revenues from SVOD than linear TV, and we expect the mix shift from linear toward streaming to continue." Looking ahead, the company said it continues expect double-digit growth in adjusted EPS in fiscal 2027, excluding the impact of the 53rd week.WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY RESULTS:Warner Bros. Discoveryalso reported quarterly results this week, with Q1 revenue in line with consensus estimates but GAAP earnings missing. Warner Bros. noted that the sharp net loss for the quarter includes a $2.8B termination fee to Netflix.Of note, the company said it is "on track" to surpass 150M HBO Max subscribers by year-end. "Over the last four years, we have consistently reiterated the imperative to scale HBO Max as a global streaming service," the company said. "Today, that vision has been successfully achieved. We launched HBO Max in the U.K. and Ireland on March 26th, following strong launches in Germany and Italy at the beginning of the year. With these launches, HBO Max is now available in all of our key target markets globally, and the multi-year international rollout of HBO Max is largely complete. While these recent launches represent a significant expansion of HBO Max's global availability, we also see substantial runway for continued penetration growth in existing markets driven by the core of our product, which remains high-quality content that inspires consumer demand and engagement. Fueled by global tentpole titles like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and The Pitt, our increasing investment in local language content such as Like Water for Chocolate and Dona Beja, and access to marquee events like the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, we meaningfully exceeded our guidance of more than 140 million global streaming subscribers at the end of the first quarter. With ongoing momentum, we are on track to surpass 150 million global subscribers by the end of 2026."IAC/DILLER:IACChairman Barry Diller said he would be willing to acquire CNN, arguing the network is underinvested and in need of innovation in both its digital and broadcast offerings, while expressing confidence that it remains a strong asset if modernized, The Wall Street Journal's Cara Lombardo reported. CNN is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, which Paramount Skydanceagreed to buy in an $81B deal earlier this year. Diller said he would "absolutely" buy CNN, saying at the WSJ's Future of Everything Festival that "I would do it tonight and tomorrow night. Before they ruin it any further. Hopefully before it's extinct, which, I mean, it's not gonna be."PARAMOUNT RESULTS:On Monday, Paramount Skydance reported upbeat Q1 results but provided a conservative revenue outlook for Q2, with the company noting that the Warner Bros. Discovery deal is "on track" to close in Q3. Looking to streaming, Paramount said that DTC revenue grew 11% year-over-year to $2.4 B, led by 17% growth at Paramount+, which added 700,000 subscribers, or 1.9M excluding the exit of international hard bundle subscribers. The company added that it continues to expect accelerating DTC revenue and profit in 2026.FUBO RESULTS:Meanwhile, FuboTV reported mixed Q2 results this week, though it reiterated its "confidence" in its FY26 adjusted EBITDA target of at least $300M. "Looking ahead, we are making progress on multiple new integrations with Disney, leveraging the content portfolios of Fubo and Hulu + Live TV, which are expected to drive sustained subscriber, revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth while delivering on the consumer promise of our business combination," the company said.AMC NETWORKS RESULTS:AMC Networksreported lower-than-expected Q1 adjusted earnings per share, though revenue beat consensus. Looking ahead, the company reiterated its FY26 revenue outlook. Commenting on the quarter, CEO Kristin Dolan said, "AMC Global Media delivered another quarter of double-digit streaming revenue growth and robust free cash flow generation. We are tracking to plan across all key metrics and are pleased to reiterate our financial outlook for the year. During this changing time in media, we continue to follow our own differentiated playbook as a studio-driven owner of world-class IP, fully distributed across a wide range of owned and partner platforms."NETLIX/NFL:Netflix is near a deal with the National Football League that appears likely to include the week one game in Australia, a game the day before Thanksgiving, and the Christmas games, Puck News' John Ourand reported Thursday.PRIME VIDEO CLIPS:On Friday, Amazonsaid that Prime Video is bringing a new way to experience content on your phone. Clips-a scrollable, short-form video feed that first launched with NBA highlights on the NBA collection page during the 2025-26 season - is expanding to include moments from movies and series across the Prime Video experience. "As a first-stop entertainment destination, Prime Video offers customers a vast selection of premium content, and we want to make it as easy and seamless as possible for them to discover what's most relevant," said Brian Griffin, director of global application experiences at Prime Video. "Clips gives customers a whole new way to browse with short, personalized snippets tailored to their interests. Whether they have a few minutes to scroll or are looking for something to watch when they have more time, entertainment is just a tap away."STOCK PLAYS:Other publicly traded companies in the space include Comcast, Fox, Apple, and Roku.
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Disney Set for Key Events Ahead
- Theme Park Additions: Disney has opened several new attractions ahead of the summer travel season, aiming to draw more visitors, even as its stock remained flat in May and is down 10% year-to-date.
- NBA Finals Broadcast: On June 3, the NBA Finals will air on Disney's ABC, with the New York Knicks returning to the championship for the first time since 1999, expected to generate strong ratings for Disney's network business.
- Toy Story 5 Release: Hitting theaters on June 19, Toy Story 5 follows the success of Toy Story 4, which grossed $434 million in the U.S. and over $1 billion globally, likely boosting Disney's merchandising and theme park experiences.
- Avatar Streaming Launch: On June 24, Avatar: Fire and Ash will begin streaming on Disney+, having grossed nearly $1.5 billion last year, although still below its predecessors, with future installments expected to draw audiences back to theaters.
A24's Backrooms Tops Box Office with $81.5 Million Opening, Youngest Director Record Set
- Strong Box Office Performance: A24's horror thriller Backrooms opened to an impressive $81.5 million in North America, contributing to a total domestic box office nearing $3.69 billion for 2026, which is over an 11% increase from the same period last year, providing a much-needed boost to theaters.
- Record-Setting Young Director: At just 20 years old, director Kane Parsons has set a record as the youngest director to helm a No. 1 film globally, showcasing the potential and market appeal of new-generation filmmakers, which may attract more investment and attention to young creators.
- Competitor Performance: Despite Backrooms' standout performance, Focus Features' Obsession saw a remarkable over 10% increase in ticket sales in its third weekend, grossing $26.4 million, highlighting the ongoing appeal of the horror genre and high audience demand.
- Summer Release Outlook: As theaters gear up for a busy June schedule, several new releases are anticipated, including Amazon's Masters of the Universe and Paramount's Scary Movie reboot, which are expected to further drive box office growth.
Rita Ferro Takes Charge of Disney's Global Advertising
- Leadership in Advertising: Rita Ferro, as President of Global Advertising at Disney, leverages her 29 years of industry experience to enhance the company's advertising sales across traditional TV, streaming, and digital platforms, thereby strengthening its position in a competitive media landscape.
- Strategic Integration: Ferro emphasizes the 'One Disney' strategy, creating more compelling advertising opportunities by integrating brand partnerships with movie studios and park activations, which enhances customer engagement and brand loyalty.
- International Expansion: Ferro plans to promote ad-supported streaming business internationally, particularly focusing on local content investments for Disney+, aiming to capitalize on the diversity and growth potential of international markets to drive global business development.
- Tech-Driven Approach: Ferro has spearheaded the restructuring of Disney's ad tech stack, enabling advertisers to target more effectively and improving measurement capabilities, thus enhancing the company's competitiveness in the digital advertising space.
Gen Z Fuels Box Office Comeback
- Increased Viewing Frequency: Data from Fandango indicates that in 2025, Gen Z averaged seven movie viewings, matching millennials, while Generation X and baby boomers averaged only six, highlighting Gen Z's growing significance in box office dynamics.
- Expanding Market Share: Gen Z accounted for nearly 40% of moviegoers in North America, with AMC's marketing VP Carrie Trotter noting that not only is their number increasing, but their viewing frequency is also rising year over year, potentially making them the most crucial audience in the future.
- Popularity of Loyalty Programs: Participation in movie loyalty programs among Gen Z has tripled since the pandemic, with AMC's A-List attracting a significant number of young viewers, indicating their willingness to spend more for social activities and movie experiences.
- Social Experience Priority: Gen Z prioritizes social experiences when choosing films, with Trotter stating that they prefer to enjoy movies with friends and family, suggesting that this social aspect drives box office growth beyond mere film content.
Is It Time to Reload Your Underinvested Portfolio?
- Shopify Stock Fluctuations: Shopify's stock has dropped 40% since last October, currently valued at $154 billion; despite pressures from slowing sales growth and rising interest rates, its Q1 revenue growth rate of 34% highlights its significance in the future of e-commerce.
- Nice's Customer Service Technology: Nice Ltd, with a market cap of $5.4 billion, derives only 14% of its cloud revenue from AI, yet its Q1 recurring revenue grew 66% year-over-year, showcasing its strong performance and growth potential in the customer service market.
- Viking Therapeutics' Drug Development: Viking Therapeutics is conducting phase 3 trials for its GLP-1 weight-loss drug VK2735, currently valued at $3.8 billion; analysts unanimously rate its stock as a strong buy with a target price of $95.40, reflecting confidence in its market potential.
- Investor Focus on Emerging Stocks: Despite overall market volatility, investor interest in Shopify, Nice, and Viking indicates optimism towards these growth stocks, particularly in the long-term growth prospects within the e-commerce and health sectors.
Analysis of Shopify's Stock Price Decline
- Shopify's Stock Decline: Shopify's shares have fallen 40% since October, driven by slowing sales growth, rising interest rates, and potential threats from AI, although these concerns may be overstated.
- Nice Ltd's Customer Service Edge: Nice Ltd's platform facilitates over 20 billion interactions annually, and while AI accounts for only 14% of its cloud revenue, its annualized revenue has reached $345 million, indicating strong growth potential.
- Viking Therapeutics' Market Potential: Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 is in phase 3 trials and could disrupt the $200 billion obesity drug market, with analysts setting a target price of $95.40, representing a 200% upside from current levels.
- Cautious Investor Sentiment: Despite stocks remaining above late-March lows, many investors are on the sidelines due to concerns about a market pullback, particularly in the current economic climate, which challenges confidence in reinvesting.
Disney Set for Key Events Ahead
- Theme Park Additions: Disney has opened several new attractions ahead of the summer travel season, aiming to draw more visitors, even as its stock remained flat in May and is down 10% year-to-date.
- NBA Finals Broadcast: On June 3, the NBA Finals will air on Disney's ABC, with the New York Knicks returning to the championship for the first time since 1999, expected to generate strong ratings for Disney's network business.
- Toy Story 5 Release: Hitting theaters on June 19, Toy Story 5 follows the success of Toy Story 4, which grossed $434 million in the U.S. and over $1 billion globally, likely boosting Disney's merchandising and theme park experiences.
- Avatar Streaming Launch: On June 24, Avatar: Fire and Ash will begin streaming on Disney+, having grossed nearly $1.5 billion last year, although still below its predecessors, with future installments expected to draw audiences back to theaters.
A24's Backrooms Tops Box Office with $81.5 Million Opening, Youngest Director Record Set
- Strong Box Office Performance: A24's horror thriller Backrooms opened to an impressive $81.5 million in North America, contributing to a total domestic box office nearing $3.69 billion for 2026, which is over an 11% increase from the same period last year, providing a much-needed boost to theaters.
- Record-Setting Young Director: At just 20 years old, director Kane Parsons has set a record as the youngest director to helm a No. 1 film globally, showcasing the potential and market appeal of new-generation filmmakers, which may attract more investment and attention to young creators.
- Competitor Performance: Despite Backrooms' standout performance, Focus Features' Obsession saw a remarkable over 10% increase in ticket sales in its third weekend, grossing $26.4 million, highlighting the ongoing appeal of the horror genre and high audience demand.
- Summer Release Outlook: As theaters gear up for a busy June schedule, several new releases are anticipated, including Amazon's Masters of the Universe and Paramount's Scary Movie reboot, which are expected to further drive box office growth.
Rita Ferro Takes Charge of Disney's Global Advertising
- Leadership in Advertising: Rita Ferro, as President of Global Advertising at Disney, leverages her 29 years of industry experience to enhance the company's advertising sales across traditional TV, streaming, and digital platforms, thereby strengthening its position in a competitive media landscape.
- Strategic Integration: Ferro emphasizes the 'One Disney' strategy, creating more compelling advertising opportunities by integrating brand partnerships with movie studios and park activations, which enhances customer engagement and brand loyalty.
- International Expansion: Ferro plans to promote ad-supported streaming business internationally, particularly focusing on local content investments for Disney+, aiming to capitalize on the diversity and growth potential of international markets to drive global business development.
- Tech-Driven Approach: Ferro has spearheaded the restructuring of Disney's ad tech stack, enabling advertisers to target more effectively and improving measurement capabilities, thus enhancing the company's competitiveness in the digital advertising space.
Gen Z Fuels Box Office Comeback
- Increased Viewing Frequency: Data from Fandango indicates that in 2025, Gen Z averaged seven movie viewings, matching millennials, while Generation X and baby boomers averaged only six, highlighting Gen Z's growing significance in box office dynamics.
- Expanding Market Share: Gen Z accounted for nearly 40% of moviegoers in North America, with AMC's marketing VP Carrie Trotter noting that not only is their number increasing, but their viewing frequency is also rising year over year, potentially making them the most crucial audience in the future.
- Popularity of Loyalty Programs: Participation in movie loyalty programs among Gen Z has tripled since the pandemic, with AMC's A-List attracting a significant number of young viewers, indicating their willingness to spend more for social activities and movie experiences.
- Social Experience Priority: Gen Z prioritizes social experiences when choosing films, with Trotter stating that they prefer to enjoy movies with friends and family, suggesting that this social aspect drives box office growth beyond mere film content.
Is It Time to Reload Your Underinvested Portfolio?
- Shopify Stock Fluctuations: Shopify's stock has dropped 40% since last October, currently valued at $154 billion; despite pressures from slowing sales growth and rising interest rates, its Q1 revenue growth rate of 34% highlights its significance in the future of e-commerce.
- Nice's Customer Service Technology: Nice Ltd, with a market cap of $5.4 billion, derives only 14% of its cloud revenue from AI, yet its Q1 recurring revenue grew 66% year-over-year, showcasing its strong performance and growth potential in the customer service market.
- Viking Therapeutics' Drug Development: Viking Therapeutics is conducting phase 3 trials for its GLP-1 weight-loss drug VK2735, currently valued at $3.8 billion; analysts unanimously rate its stock as a strong buy with a target price of $95.40, reflecting confidence in its market potential.
- Investor Focus on Emerging Stocks: Despite overall market volatility, investor interest in Shopify, Nice, and Viking indicates optimism towards these growth stocks, particularly in the long-term growth prospects within the e-commerce and health sectors.
Analysis of Shopify's Stock Price Decline
- Shopify's Stock Decline: Shopify's shares have fallen 40% since October, driven by slowing sales growth, rising interest rates, and potential threats from AI, although these concerns may be overstated.
- Nice Ltd's Customer Service Edge: Nice Ltd's platform facilitates over 20 billion interactions annually, and while AI accounts for only 14% of its cloud revenue, its annualized revenue has reached $345 million, indicating strong growth potential.
- Viking Therapeutics' Market Potential: Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 is in phase 3 trials and could disrupt the $200 billion obesity drug market, with analysts setting a target price of $95.40, representing a 200% upside from current levels.
- Cautious Investor Sentiment: Despite stocks remaining above late-March lows, many investors are on the sidelines due to concerns about a market pullback, particularly in the current economic climate, which challenges confidence in reinvesting.
