Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro Unveils “Digital Centerpiece” Strategy in First Earnings Call

Josh D’Amaro, former head of Disney Experiences, succeeded Bob Iger in March 2026 and launched his first earnings call.

Variety Magazine

D’Amaro called Disney+ the “digital centerpiece” linking streaming, sports, games and parks, making it “the primary relationship between Disney and its fans.” The plan rests on three pillars: deeper IP, global reach, and AI-driven creation, monetization and guest experiences.

Variety Magazine

Q2 2026 revenue reached $25.2 billion (up 7 %) with adjusted EPS $1.57 (up 8 %). Streaming operating income rose 88 % to $582 million; subscription revenue grew 14 %. Entertainment revenue hit $11.7 billion, Experiences $9.5 billion, and sports operating income fell 5 % to $652 million. “Zootopia 2” earned $1.9 billion and over one billion streaming hours. Disney projected adjusted EPS growth of about 12 % for FY2026 and double-digit growth for FY2027, and announced a $8 billion share-repurchase program.

Variety Magazine

D’Amaro said, “Our focus remains consistent—improve the consumer experience, deepen engagement, and build a durable growth business.” CFO Hugh Johnston noted a 1 % dip in domestic park attendance but called demand “healthy,” warning rising gas prices could affect behavior. The company reaffirmed double-digit EPS growth targets for FY2026 and FY2027 and highlighted the $8 billion share-repurchase plan.

Reuters

Forrester analyst Mike Proulx called the call “the first real gut-check” on scaling D’Amaro’s park expertise to the broader business, suggesting strategic risk. The quarter also followed layoffs and political pressure over Jimmy Kimmel. Competitors such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+ and emerging sports-streaming services intensify competition, challenging Disney’s ESPN advantage.

AdExchanger

Disney no longer reports subscriber numbers, obscuring Disney+’s base. Johnston called park demand “healthy,” yet attendance fell 1 % and international visitation remained soft. Sports revenue rose while operating income fell.

AdExchanger

• “Disney+ becomes the primary relationship between Disney and its fans, the place where everything comes together,” — Josh D’Amaro, CEO

Variety Magazine

• “Our focus remains consistent -- improve ?the consumer experience, deepen engagement, and continue building a healthy and more durable growth business,” — Josh D’Amaro, CEO

Reuters

• “We view advanced technologies, including AI, as a meaningful long-term opportunity,” — Josh D’Amaro, CEO

Variety Magazine

• “We’re implementing AI to enhance our ad targeting capabilities, letting our partners execute dynamic brand messaging,” — Josh D’Amaro, CEO

AdExchanger

Disney will roll out AI-driven recommendation engines on Disney+ and ESPN+, expand short-form “Verts” video, and deepen its Epic Games partnership for Fortnite. The firm expects domestic-park attendance to improve in Q3 and targets at least 10 % streaming revenue growth.

Adweek

The digital-centerpiece strategy aims to lock in fan loyalty, reduce churn, and generate cross-selling revenue across parks, merchandise and games. Analysts see the approach as essential for offsetting macro-economic headwinds and sustaining Disney’s market-share advantage in a consolidating streaming landscape.

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