Disney Claims They “Don’t Have the Money” as Streaming Labeled “Dead”

Disney+ may be racking up millions of new subscribers, but a recent behind-the-scenes comment from The Walt Disney Company is prompting fresh scrutiny of its long-term streaming ambitions. As streaming platforms evolve, so too does Disney’s internal messaging—and it’s not all encouraging.

Surge in Subscribers, But Caution in the Air

According to the BBC, “The firm reported stronger than expected earnings in May, with overall revenue of $23.6bn for the first three months of the year. That was a 7% increase from the same period in 2024.” Much of that growth, the report states, came from Disney+, which added over a million new subscribers.

Variety added that “Operating profit in Disney’s streaming business jumped for the first three months of 2025, as Disney+ unexpectedly added 1.4 million subscribers in the quarter.” The platform now serves around 126 million global users as of May 2025.

Still, not all recent Disney+ offerings have had smooth journeys. The streamer’s lineup continues to expand, with additions like Moana 2 (2024) drawing strong numbers, while Captain America: Brave New World (2025) made its debut following a lukewarm box office. On June 11, 2025, the controversial Disney’s Snow White (2025) will arrive on Disney+.

The Heart of the Platform: Franchise Content and Originals

Original series remain a cornerstone of Disney+, particularly titles from Marvel and Lucasfilm. The Mandalorian helped define the platform in its early years, and in 2025, Andor concluded with its second season—closing the chapter on a critically praised series that explored the Rebellion’s roots.

But the real news came not from the screen, but behind the camera. In a revealing conversation with Comic Book, Andor creator Tony Gilroy discussed the show’s creative latitude and the financial tensions shaping its production.

“I mean, for Disney, this is $650 million. For 24 episodes, I never took a note. We said ‘F-ck the Empire’ in the first season, and they said, ‘Can you please not do that?’” he recalled. “In Season 2, they said, ‘Streaming is dead, we don’t have the money we had before,’ so we fought hard about money, but they never cleaned anything up. That [freedom] comes with responsibilities.”

Fans React to the “Streaming Is Dead” Remark

Gilroy’s comment about Disney leadership declaring that “Streaming is dead” ignited conversation online. Reddit users debated whether the comment was an exaggeration or a reflection of deeper changes in viewer habits and financial priorities.

One user, ButterscotchExactly, offered this take: “It doesn’t seem dead to me, but it does seem like it has come to a point where people cycle what services they use because there are so many, and they keep raising prices. Disney was one we got rid of just because they don’t put out a lot of content we are interested in, compared to all the others. Easier to just grab it for a month every now and then.”

Corporate Strategy Shifts and Streamlining

Disney’s recent moves point toward recalibrating its streaming model. CEO Bob Iger’s 2023 effort to slash $5 billion in costs led to significant layoffs and a broad culling of streaming content. Other tactics—like adding ad tiers and cracking down on password sharing—mirror strategies used by rival platforms.

That shift is also affecting how audiences engage with theatrical releases. For example, while Wish (2023) only managed $255 million globally in theaters, it logged 13.2 million views on Disney+ in just five days—making it the third-most-watched debut for a Disney Animation film on the platform.

The company recently confirmed another wave of layoffs in 2025, this time affecting marketing, casting, and other departments across its film and television divisions. Disney emphasized a “surgical” approach, with no entire teams being eliminated.

The Road Ahead

Even as Disney+ pushes forward with new content, the company’s internal messaging suggests a more restrained view of the future. While streaming continues to be central to Disney’s media strategy, cost concerns and shifting audience behavior are prompting new realities behind the scenes.

How do you feel about Disney’s statement that “streaming is dead”? Let us know in the comments below.