Disney+ overhauls service to compete with Netflix and YouTube

The Walt Disney Company is undertaking a deep technical overhaul of Disney+ to narrow the gap with rivals Netflix and YouTube and make the platform the primary entry point to its entertainment ecosystem. Under chief executive Josh D’Amaro, Disney will integrate Hulu and ESPN catalogs, improve recommendation algorithms with data from Hulu, add vertical‑video formats and boost local productions, especially in South Korea, while expanding sports‑rights acquisitions in Latin America and Australia. The changes have already lifted U.S. viewing time by 21% and delivered Disney+’s strongest month of viewing in March, with subscriber churn remaining around 3%.

Disney aims to broaden the service beyond family‑focused content to attract a wider audience, bundle packages across its assets and eventually incorporate park tickets and merchandise sales, positioning Disney+ as a comprehensive hub for Disney fans worldwide.