Streaming service could lose up to 16 million subscribers to rivals, says analyst
![Netflix faces crunch year as Disney, Apple and more vie for streaming crown](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/07d60ccf73bd44710bc1c7bbc049ee16a5d738e1/282_0_1806_1084/master/1806.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&enable=upscale&s=072866b1f40a8f2a198b57f0da6f4f10)
Netflix is this year facing its sternest challenge since it embarked on the path to global streaming dominance, with a prediction it could lose 16 million subscribers to cash-rich rivals led by Disney.
This year marks the start of a worldwide streaming battle, with the biggest threat to
Netflix posed by Disney, which backed the US launch of its
Disney + service in November last year with the debut of the $100m
Star Wars spin-off TV series, The Mandalorian, seen as the biggest threat to the dominance of Netflix. Disney+, which has received a wave of free global publicity Thanks to the Mandalorian’s Baby Yoda sensation, amassed 10 million subscriptions on its first day. Analysts say Disney +, which launches in the
UK and Europe on 31 March, is set to put the global brakes on the relentless growth of Netflix.