Robert Iger, Chairman and CEO at The Walt Disney Company speaks in Laguna Beach, California, October 22, 2019.
Mike Blake | Reuters
Disney is set to release its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings after the bell on Thursday.
Here are the key numbers analysts are expecting:
- Earnings per share: 95 cents, according to Refinitiv estimates
- Revenue: $19.05 billion, according to Refinitiv
Disney’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings arrive just days before the company’s long-awaited streaming service, Disney+, is set to launch on November 12. The service costs $6.99 per month, or $69.99 per year, and will feature content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and more.
Analysts will be looking to see if Disney gives any color on expected subscriber numbers for Disney+. The company is likely to face steep competition from the onslaught of new streaming services, including Apple‘s Apple TV+, NBCUniversal’s Peacock and WarnerMedia’s HBO Max, as well as established players like Netflix and Amazon.
Last month, Disney inked a deal with Verizon that will allow it to offer new and existing customers a year of Disney+ for free. It’s expected to help lure millions of early subscribers to the service, which should help it compete with rivals at launch.
Analysts will also be looking for more details around the ongoing integration of Fox’s entertainment assets. Disney missed expectations for the fiscal third quarter, largely as a result of increased losses from the TV networks, film studios and brands Disney acquired from Fox in March.
Disney’s parks and studio segments are likely to be a brighter spot in the company’s earnings report. Both segments saw their revenue climb year-over-year in the third quarter. The Studio Entertainment is also expected to benefit from the release of “The Lion King” in July, which became the fourth Disney movie to top $1 billion at the box office this year.
This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.
Disclosure: NBCUniversal is the parent company of CNBC.
