Disney's streaming growth counters Netflix gloom, all eyes on inflation

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Toy figures of people are seen in front of the displayed Disney + logo, in this illustration taken January 20, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

By Lisa Richwine and Eva Mathews

(Reuters) -Walt Disney Co eased concerns on Wednesday about the future of streaming video by picking up 7.9 million new Disney+ customers, although it warned supply chain issues and rising wages could pressure finances.

Wall Street had been expecting 5.3 million new Disney+ customers from January through March. Disney still has a long way to go to hit ambitious, multi-year targets, but its growth encouraged investors after Netflix's losses.

The entertainment giant is working to offset inflationary pressures, executives said on a call with analysts.

"Right now, it's very difficult to accurately forecast the potential financial impact due to the fluidity of the situation but you can trust that we are fully aware of it and we're working hard to mitigate any pressure on the margin," said Chief Financial Officer Christine McCarthy.

Shares fell 3% in after-hours trading on Wednesday.

Disney needs to average nearly 9.1 million new customers per quarter to reach the low end of its goal of adding 230 million to 260 million Disney+ subscribers by the end of September 2024. Chief Executive Bob Chapek reiterated that target during the company's earnings call.

The world's largest entertainment company has staked its future on building a streaming TV business to rival Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:NFLX), the company that first drew mass audiences to subscription video.

Netflix unnerved Wall Street last month when the company disclosed it lost subscribers in the first three months of 2022 and forecast more defections through June.

The Netflix results hit media stocks and prompted investors to re-evaluate their expectations for online video.

Total subscriptions for Disney+, launched in November 2019, reached 137.7 million, with help from new releases including Marvel's "Moon Knight" series and Pixar movie "Turning Red."

“In spite of less-than-optimal results overall, because of the positive streaming numbers, Disney will do well," said Shahid Khan, partner at Arthur D. Little, a technology and management consulting firm. "As households rationalize their streaming choices, given the inflation, Disney+ will become one of the top choices and will become a real threat to Netflix.”

Disney reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.08, below analyst forecasts of $1.19, according to IBES data from Refinitiv, impacted by an increase in the effective tax rate on foreign earnings.

Revenue came in at $19.2 billion, below the $20.03 billion consensus estimate.

Disney's theme park business continued a strong rebound after extended pandemic-related closures and attendance restrictions.

Operating income at the parks unit totaled $3.7 billion, a 50% increase from a year earlier.

However, closures at Asia theme parks due to COVID-19 could reduce operating income by up to $350 million in the third quarter, the company said.