Disney Triples Local Originals to Challenge Netflix and Amazon Internationally

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Summary · why it matters

The Walt Disney Company is strengthening its international streaming business, planning to roughly triple its local original series over the next three years to drive new international users and reduce churn as it challenges Netflix and Amazon. Early international programming results are encouraging, with Rivals Season 2 becoming the biggest EMEA original premiere in the U.K. and Ireland, The Perfect Crown becoming the most-watched Korean premiere on Disney+ globally, and Dear Killer Nannies the most-viewed LATAM original premiere globally on Disney+ over the past year. The strategy is gaining support from improving streaming economics, as Entertainment SVOD revenues increased 11% year over year in the third quarter of fiscal 2026, subscription revenues rose 15%, and Entertainment SVOD operating margin reached 13%, while Disney+ recorded a decline in churn across its domestic and international services during the reported quarter. The September 2026 appointment of Adam Smith to lead Disney's global entertainment SVOD business further underscores the strategic importance of its streaming operations. Amazon is strengthening its international streaming position through Prime Video's combination of original content, third-party titles and live sports, reporting that NBA viewership in Europe more than doubled year over year in the second quarter of 2026 to its highest average viewership on record, while Netflix competes through reach in more than 190 countries, localized programming such as South Africa's The Polygamist and a growing regional live-event strategy. Disney shares are down 8.7% year to date, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate projects fiscal 2026 earnings at $6.91 per share, up 16.5% year over year.

Impact on assets 3

Communication Services▲ · 2 stocks
Walt Disney Company
DIS
▲ PositiveDemandCapitalrelevance

Disney plans to roughly triple local originals over three years to drive international users and reduce churn, with strong early premiere results.

Netflix Inc
NFLX
± MixedCompetitionrelevance

Netflix is mentioned only as a competitor with reach in 190+ countries and localized programming, no new Netflix-specific development.

Artificial Intelligence▲ · 1 stocks
Amazon.com Inc
AMZN
± MixedCompetitionrelevance

Amazon's Prime Video is cited as a rival Disney is challenging internationally, with NBA Europe viewership doubling, but no new Amazon-specific development.

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