Netflix may potentially lose 750,000 UK subscribers to Disney

Streaming giant Netflix could lose as many as 750,000 UK subscribers as rival Disney takes back exclusive control of titles like Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, and Sons of Anarchy as part of an effort to bolster its own platform.

Netflix, which issued its lowest new global subscriber guidance since 2010 last week, lost the rights to five hit Disney shows, with more to come in the near future.

According to research firm Digital i, the loss of the five programmes, and with Homeland set to follow suit shortly, Netflix could lose out on as much as £90.0m per year.

"The viewing to these six titles, five of which have already left Netflix, was significant in the UK," said Digital i chief executive Ali Vahdati.

"This means a significant number of subscribers will begin to question their Netflix subscription and look to the new home of their favourite content, Disney+."

As of 1440 GMT, Netflix shares were down 3.10% at $385.17 each.