Disney Streaming Profit Nearly Doubles to $712 Million in New CEO's First Full Quarter

Walt Disney's streaming business, after a prolonged period of losses, returned to profitability in fiscal 2024. From the launch of Disney+ in fiscal 2019 through early fiscal 2023, the segment amassed cumulative losses exceeding $10 billion. Entering fiscal 2026, profit momentum has continued to strengthen: third-quarter operating profit reached $712 million, nearly double the year-earlier level, directly lifting entertainment segment operating profit by 64% for the quarter. Streaming has thus become a strategically important pillar of Disney's business portfolio, with its earnings contribution to the group's financial results growing increasingly significant.

On February 3, 2026, Dai Mingzhe succeeded Robert Iger as chief executive officer of Disney, and his first full-quarter earnings report captured the streaming growth momentum outlined above. Prior to that appointment, Dai had spent 28 years at Disney, advancing from an entry-level position at Disneyland California to a core management role overseeing the company's global theme parks, cruise operations and consumer products businesses. Since taking office, he has introduced a 'One Disney' synergy strategy designed to remove the operational barriers among streaming, film, sports and physical experiences.

Disney's streaming business took nearly five years from launch to profitability. After turning profitable overall in fiscal 2024, the segment expanded its operating profit to $712 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2026. Whether the new strategy can achieve comparable results in business segments beyond streaming remains to be verified in future quarterly reports.