Disney Tops Profit Estimates But Revenue Falls Short as Linear TV Struggles Continue

Core Insights - The Walt Disney Co. reported better-than-expected profits for Q4 of fiscal year 2025, but revenue fell short of analysts' forecasts, leading to a decline in share prices [2][7]. Financial Performance - Q4 revenue was $22.46 billion, slightly down year-over-year and below the consensus estimate of $22.75 billion [2]. - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) were $1.11, a 3% decline but above analysts' expectations [2][7]. - Direct-to-consumer segment revenue, which includes streaming services like Hulu, ESPN, and Disney+, grew 8% to $6.25 billion, although it was below expectations [3][7]. Subscriber Metrics - Disney+ had 132 million subscribers at the end of the quarter, while combined subscribers for Disney+ and Hulu reached 196 million, both exceeding expectations [3][7]. Linear TV Business - The linear TV segment faced challenges, with domestic networks revenue and operating income dropping 16% and 21%, respectively, attributed to declining viewership and lower advertising revenue [4][7]. Future Outlook - Disney forecasts double-digit adjusted EPS growth for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and plans to double its stock buyback target to $7 billion for fiscal 2026 [7][8]. Industry Context - Disney is currently involved in a carriage dispute with YouTube TV, affecting the availability of channels like ESPN and ABC, but negotiations are reportedly gaining momentum [10].