Disney+ Hotstar had an eventful quarter as it added nearly 26 lakh subscribers whereas Disney+ added nearly 1.1 crore subscribers from Q4 2021, according to the company's earnings report for Q1 2022. Why it matters: The growth is notable as Netflix recently announced that it lost nearly 2,00,000 subscribers for the first time in a decade. It could also mean that Disney+ is bucking the trend of an impending slowdown in the streaming sector as people return to offices and theatres open up. What is the role of sports: Disney’s CEO Bob Chapek informed analysts that sports is a key differentiator based on which they enter different territories with their service. Chapek added that a big percentage of consumers in Latin America subscribe to Disney+ because of sports. “It's a very important strategic offering because the fandom and the passion is so deep,” Chapek said. How crucial is IPL in India: Chapek said that the company will try to extend its IPL rights but has plans in place if it were to lose the IPL broadcast rights. He assured investors that the company will still be able to achieve its target of 230 to 260 million subscribers by 2024. What if Hotstar loses IPL rights: Chapek said that IPL is “an important part of the Disney+ Hotstar content offering” but it's “one component of a broader portfolio of entertainment and sports”. He highlighted that the company has a library of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and Nat Geo besides its collection of…
