Who Owns Disney+?
Disney+ is owned by The Walt Disney Company, a publicly traded American multinational entertainment conglomerate. Disney+ operates as Disney's primary streaming service. Disney is headquartered in Burbank, California, USA and trades on NYSE under DIS.
Parent Company
The Walt Disney Company
Acquired
2019
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Burbank, California, USA
Who Owns Disney+?
- Parent Company: The Walt Disney Company
- Ownership Type: Subsidiary
- Acquisition Year: 2019
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: DIS
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Disney+ | The Walt Disney Company | Subsidiary |
History of Disney+
- Founded: 2019
- Founders: The Walt Disney Company
- Acquired by The Walt Disney Company: 2019
Disney+ was launched on November 12, 2019, as The Walt Disney Company's entry into the streaming market. The service launched with a content library drawn from Disney's extensive catalog including Disney films, Pixar movies, Marvel content, Star Wars films, and National Geographic documentaries. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for streaming entertainment while establishing a distinctive approach that would define the streaming service category for generations.
Throughout 2020 and 2021, Disney+ expanded its content offerings with original series and exclusive content, including Star Wars series like "The Mandalorian" and Marvel series like "WandaVision." This period of expansion demonstrated Disney+'s exceptional ability to develop differentiated streaming content while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the service for decades. The service gained significant subscriber growth during the COVID-19 pandemic as consumers shifted to streaming entertainment. This strategic timing demonstrated Disney+'s exceptional ability to capitalize on changing market conditions while maintaining its core brand identity and market leadership in the streaming segment.
In 2021, Disney+ expanded internationally and introduced an ad-supported tier to compete with other streaming platforms. This strategic diversification demonstrated Disney+'s exceptional ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences while maintaining its core brand identity and market leadership. The service has continued to invest in original programming and exclusive content while maintaining its position as one of the leading streaming platforms globally. This continued evolution demonstrates Disney+'s exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing technological advancements and viewer preferences. The brand's continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of streaming services and consumer-focused digital entertainment solutions.
About The Walt Disney Company
Who owns The Walt Disney Company?
Disney is a publicly traded company with no parent company and no controlling shareholder. The company trades on the NYSE under DIS. The largest shareholders are institutional investors including Vanguard and BlackRock, holding shares on behalf of their own clients.
Is Disney publicly traded?
Yes. Disney trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol DIS. The company has been publicly traded since 1957 and is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
What were Disney's Q1 FY2026 results?
For Q1 fiscal 2026 (quarter ended December 27, 2025), Disney reported revenue of $26.0 billion, up 5% year over year. Streaming revenue was $5.35 billion, up 11%, with streaming earnings up over 50%. Sports segment revenue was $4.91 billion, up 1%.
Does Disney own Marvel and Star Wars?
Yes. Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment in 2009 for $4 billion, gaining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4 billion, gaining the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises.
What streaming services does Disney own?
Disney owns Disney+ (flagship streaming service), Hulu (general entertainment streaming, now integrated with Disney+), ESPN+ (sports streaming), and the new ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming platform launched in 2025.
How many Disney theme parks are there?
Disney operates 12 theme parks across three continents: Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in California; Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida; two parks at Disneyland Paris; Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea in Japan; Hong Kong Disneyland; and Shanghai Disneyland in China.
- Founded: 1923
- Headquarters: Burbank, California, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: DIS
Where Is Disney+ Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Burbank, California, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Global (digital streaming)
Brands Owned by The Walt Disney Company
- Disney - American entertainment company and core brand of The Walt Disney Company, known ...
- ESPN - American sports multimedia giant and key driver for Disney's streaming strategy,...
- Hulu - American subscription streaming media service offering on-demand video and live ...
- Lucasfilm - American film and entertainment company owned by The Walt Disney Company, known ...
- Marvel - American entertainment company owned by The Walt Disney Company, known for super...
- National Geographic - American media and entertainment company owned by The Walt Disney Company, known...
- Pixar - American computer animation film studio owned by The Walt Disney Company, known ...
Disney+ Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Extensive content library from Disney's film, television, and entertainment catalog
- +Original series and exclusive content including Star Wars and Marvel shows
- +Multiple pricing tiers including ad-supported option
- +Integration with Disney's content production and distribution
- +Strong financial backing from Disney's resources
Considerations
- -Intense competition from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming platforms
- -Content library limitations compared to competitors with broader catalogs
- -Pricing strategy and tier structure competition
- -Dependency on Disney's content production pipeline
- -Challenges in global expansion due to content licensing restrictions
Frequently Asked Questions About Disney+
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Disney+
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Itv | United Kingdom | 2017 | Mass Market | Global | Male | |
| Warner Bros Discovery | USA | 2020 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Warner Bros Discovery | USA | 2020 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Paramount Global | USA | 2021 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Amazon | USA | 2006 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Apple | USA | 2007 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors

BritBox
Owned by ITV plc
Subscription streaming service offering British television programming, dramas, comedies, and entertainment content, owned by ITV plc.

HBO Max
Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery
American subscription video on-demand streaming service offering content from HBO, Warner Bros, and other Warner Bros Discovery properties.

Max
Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery
American subscription video on-demand streaming service offering content from HBO, Discovery, Warner Bros., and other Warner Bros. Discovery properties.

Paramount+
Owned by Paramount Global
American subscription video on-demand streaming service offering content from Paramount Global's extensive library including Paramount Pictures, CBS, MTV, and Nickelodeon.

Prime Video
Owned by Amazon.com Inc.
Subscription-based video streaming service offering movies, TV shows, and original content as part of Amazon Prime membership.

Apple TV
Owned by Apple Inc.
Digital media player and streaming service developed by Apple Inc., offering access to movies, TV shows, and original content through Apple TV+ and other streaming apps.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Disney+ competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
The Walt Disney Company Stock Information
Jobs at The Walt Disney Company
Latest News About Disney+
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