Disney released its financial results for 2026’s first quarter. It saw positives from its investments in ESPN, Disney+, and Hulu.
What We Know: The first quarter of 2026, which for Disney ended on March 28th, is actually the second quarter of the company’s fiscal year. It also marks the first earnings report under new CEO Josh D’Amaro.
What the Numbers Show: In total, Disney earned $25.17 billion during the quarter. That figure was a 7% increase compared to the prior year. From its entertainment sector, it reached more than $10 billion between Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN.
| Segment: | Revenue: | Change: |
|---|---|---|
| Disney+/Hulu | $5.49 billion | +13% |
| ESPN | $4.61 billion | +6% |
What They Said: “At an important moment of change for Disney, we remain focused on executing our long-term growth strategy. Our creative and operational momentum drove strong quarterly results, and we continue to expect growth to accelerate in the second half of the fiscal year.” -Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro and CFO Hugh Johnston, in a joint statement.
What It Means: The price increase for Disney+ enacted in October 2025 obviously helped the financial results. The price went from $9.99 per month to $11.99 for the standard tier. The Premium tier, which doesn’t include ads, rose from $15.99 per month to $18.99. The premium version of Hulu, which will eventually be rolled into Disney+, remained at $18.99 per month. ESPN, meanwhile, said its advertising sales declined 2% due to an overall decrease in NBA broadcasts. The 2025-2026 season marked the first year of a new NBA TV deal that put games on NBC/Peacock and Amazon Prime Video, in addition to ESPN platforms.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
