Apple TV+ and Disney+ Growing Amid Pandemic, Parks Reports

Disney+ has 25% adoption among U.S. broadband households after six months in the market, reported Parks Associates Friday, while Apple TV+, launched around the same time, has nearly 10% penetration. They rank fourth and fifth in subscription VOD service adoption, said an March 8-April 3 survey of more than 10,000 consumers. Nearly three in 10 say their use of online video services rose during the period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight in 10 Disney+ customers also subscribe to Netflix; 72% of Apple TV+ users are Netflix customers. “We will see, as household budgets tighten up, if Disney+ has done enough to become an 'essential service' for its subscribers," said analyst Steve Nason. Parks said Thursday consumers subscribing to an over-the-top video service grew 6 points to 76%, due to COVID-19. “While use of existing video services is increasing, consumers are also looking to new services to access new content,” blogged David Drury. The "severe" economic impact of COVID-19 will exacerbate cord cutting from MVPDs “and their higher-priced offerings,” said the analyst: “Consumers are putting their personal finances to much tighter scrutiny, leading to the potential further widening of the already-sizeable gap between OTT and pay-TV.”