Disney reports over 10 million people have signed up for Disney+ in a day

An introductory page on the Disney Plus website is displayed on a computer screen in Walpole, Mass., Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. Disney Plus says it hit more than 10 million sign-ups on its first day of launch, far exceeding expectations. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Disney Plus (Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Disney has said that it now has 10 million users for its new Disney+ streaming platform, just one day after launch.

The service, which features a wealth of both Disney branded and Disney-owned movies, TV shows and documentary series, launched to much fanfare – and some technical glitches – on Tuesday this week.

A day later, Disney is reporting that it's had 10 million sign ups to the service, a figure vastly over industry estimates, which pitched numbers at around eight million by the end of the year, according to Variety.

There are caveats to this figure, however.

Read more: Technical issues hit Disney+

Mobile and broadband provider Verizon in the US is giving away a one-year subscription to the service for free, likely bolstering initial numbers significantly.

Nonetheless, the news has sent the Disney share price ratcheting up by 7.3 percent at the close of business yesterday, a single share in the Mouse House now worth $148.72 – around £116.

Disney has projected that by 2024, it will have a subscriber base of between 60 and 90 million worldwide, one third of that figure in the US.

Read more: Disney+ features warning over ‘outdated cultural depictions’

In terms of spending on new content, it's put a figure of $1 billion for its first year, heading north to $2.5 billion by 2024.

The service has not been problem-free, however.

Users, currently paying $6.99 per month for the platform, experienced technical issues on launch day, with streaming attempts met with error messages.

“The consumer demand for Disney+ has exceeded our high expectations,” the studio said in a statement to CNN.

“We are pleased by this incredible response and are working to quickly resolve the current user issue. We appreciate your patience.”

As well as classic movies from the Disney catalogue, a host of new content is being touted from Disney-owned brands like Marvel and the Star Wars series, flagship show The Mandalorian airing its first episode on Tuesday (though to mixed reviews).

Coming soon will be new Marvel series based on Loki, Vision and Scarlet Witch, and Hawkeye, as well as Star Wars spin-off shows for Ewan McGregor's Obi-Wan Kenobi and Diego Luna's Cassian Andor from Rogue One.

The entirety of The Simpsons catalogue is also available, though the episode with features Michael Jackson, Stark Raving Dad, is notably absent.

Disney+ won't launch in the UK until March, 2020.