Netflix Is Now Worth More Than Disney

Netflix is currently worth more money than Disney - as the coronavirus lockdown has seen big fluctuations in stock prices.

As you can imagine with so many of us helping to save lives by sitting in our a**** and binge-watching TV, Netflix's shares hit an all-time high this week.

According to Forbes, Netflix's market value hit $194 billion (£155,801,400,000), with investors seemingly reckoning that the future looks very bright for the streaming platform.

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On the other side of the coin, Disney, which has had to close its theme parks due to the lockdown and also owns sport broadcaster ESPN, has seen its share price fall, with Forbes reporting Disney is valued below $184 billion (£147,770,400,000). This is a pretty massive drop for Disney, which was valued at $258 billion (£207,180,450,000) at the end of 2019.

Disney chairman Bob Iger, who recently decided to stay on his role until the pandemic is over, told Barron's that the company has enough capital to 'keep us more than solvent through a prolonged period'.

But added that the company would never return to how it was before this outbreak.

He said: "I don't think we're ever going to see a return to business as usual." Explaining that in the future the company would need to 'look for ways to run our businesses more efficiently'.

It's not all doom and gloom for Disney, though, it's recently launched streaming service has pulled in more than 50 million subscribers much sooner than it had predicted.

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The streaming service is now available in 12 countries, after it launched in the US five months ago.

In response to the milestone, direct-to-consumer and international chairman Kevin Mayer said: "We're truly humbled that Disney+ is resonating with millions around the globe and believe this bodes well for our continued expansion throughout Western Europe and into Japan and all of Latin America later this year."

A UK subscription for Dis costs £5.99 per month, or £59.99 for the year and offers 7,500 television episodes and 500 films from the Disney catalogue, including all 30 seasons of The Simpsons. Alongside shows you know and love there's also a bunch of brand-new content, such as The Mandalorian and more Marvel spin-offs than you can shake a stick at.

Topics: TV and Film

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19