Disney Weighs Leaving Streaming to Lift Share Price

Wells Fargo analyst Steven Cahall argues that Disney could raise its stock price by about 40% by exiting the streaming business and concentrating on licensing its vast intellectual‑property portfolio. He estimates licensing could generate up to $15 billion annually, far exceeding the revenue Disney earned before its 2019 shift to direct‑to‑consumer streaming. Cahall says the move would not harm Disney’s box‑office earnings, theme‑park experiences, or brand value.

Disney’s shares have lagged, losing roughly half their value over the past five years while the S&P 500 rose over 70%. Following the analyst’s note, Disney stock rose modestly – about 0.8% in early trading in Brazil and roughly 1.75% in U.S. markets – as investors weighed the potential strategic shift amid fierce competition from Netflix, Amazon, Apple and others.

The proposal would represent a major strategic reversal for the entertainment giant, shifting from a distribution‑focused streaming model back to a content‑licensing and experiences‑centric approach.