Disney+ adds 11.8m subscribers in first quarter

Disney earned $1.06 per share, blowing past Wall Street's estimate of 63c.

During the first quarter, Disney+ released the first episode of 'The Book of Boba Fett' (pictured), about the Star Wars bounty hunter; 'The Beatles: Get Back' documentary series from filmmaker Peter Jackson, and 'Hawkeye', about the Marvel superhero.

Walt Disney's Disney+ subscriber growth restored faith in the future of streaming video and came on top of strong demand at US theme parks, lifting shares 8% after hours last night.

Speaking on CNBC, Disney chief executive Bob Chapek reaffirmed the Disney+ subscriber target of 230m to 260m by 2024. The company added 11.8m Disney+ subscribers in the first quarter.