Disney CEO Says Disney+ Is Evolving Into Much More Than a Streaming Service: 'We're Just Playing a Different Game'

Rishabh Mishra

Thu, August 6, 2026 at 1:39 PM GMT+3 3 min read

DIS +0.22%

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) plans to evolve Disney+ from a video platform into an integrated fan ecosystem combining games, merchandise, and interactive experiences by spring 2027, as Chief Executive Officer Josh D'Amaro declared that the entertainment giant is "just playing a different game" compared to streaming rivals.

Transforming the Fan Experience

Speaking during Disney's fiscal third-quarter 2026 earnings call, D'Amaro outlined a vision to position Disney+ as the digital centerpiece of fan engagement, leveraging first-party data and broad franchise IP.

"Beyond our films and series, Disney+ will continue to evolve, bringing together games, merchandise, and other experiences while offering increased personalization, exclusivity, and benefits for subscribers," D'Amaro said. "We expect to introduce elements of this expanded ecosystem beginning in spring of 2027."

He emphasized that controlling this direct-to-consumer relationship creates long-term value. "As we look to make Disney+… the digital centerpiece of our relationships with fans, we're just playing a different game," D'Amaro noted. "It's an opportunity that's unique to us."

Strong Earnings Back Expansion

This digital expansion follows solid fiscal third quarter 2026 financial results, where adjusted earnings per share reached $2.06—beating Wall Street expectations of $1.86.

Revenue climbed 7% year-over-year to $25.25 billion, supported by an 11% increase in direct-to-consumer streaming revenue to $5.53 billion and a 13% SVOD operating margin.

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Disney's experiences division also posted record performance, with revenue rising 10% to $9.97 billion, driven by a 3% increase in U.S. park attendance and a 4% rise in guest spending.

Skepticism Around Ad Growth

However, industry experts urge caution. Versant Media's Senior Advisor Tom Rogers told CNBC that Disney's modest 2.5% streaming advertising growth during the quarter points to underlying engagement concerns.

"That tells me something is really off in engagement or sub growth or both," Rogers stated, warning that adding TikTok verticals and new features may not address core content pressures.

Building a Connected Ecosystem

D'Amaro reiterated that Disney's advantage lies in its connected flywheel across theaters, streaming, retail, and theme parks.

By integrating third-party services, social content through a new TikTok partnership, and expanded digital features, Disney aims to deepen engagement, reduce subscriber churn, and boost lifetime fan value across its global platforms.

How Has DIS Performed In 2026?

DIS shares dropped 10.56% year-to-date, up 2.27% over the last month, and lower by 14.00% over the year. It closed 3.65% higher at $101.76 per share on Wednesday, and it was up 0.35% in premarket on Thursday.

Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings indicate that DIS maintains a weak price trend in the long and medium terms but a strong trend in the short term, with a poor quality score.

Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings for DIS.

Photo courtesy: Daniel Fung / Shutterstock.com

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This article Disney CEO Says Disney+ Is Evolving Into Much More Than a Streaming Service: 'We're Just Playing a Different Game' originally appeared on Benzinga.com