The Disney+ Magic Equation With the Man Who Built It

We Fixed It. You're Welcome.

This week on We Fixed It, You’re Welcome, we’re diving deep into one of the most fascinating business stories in streaming: the Disney+ crisis. From explosive subscriber growth to public backlash and strategic pivots, Disney’s streaming platform has seen both magic and mayhem.

Joining us is Michael Cerdá, the former VP of Product at Disney Plus, who helped take the platform from concept to over 100 million subscribers. Michael gives us a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the service was built, why key decisions were made, and what Disney can do now to win back its audience.

We break down:

• The launch chaos that almost broke Disney Plus

• Why bundling Hulu and ESPN+ was a last-minute gamble

• The subscriber exodus and backlash over pricing

• How personalization and AI could reshape streaming

• And our fix for Disney Plus retention and acquisition strategies

Whether you’re a media strategist, streamer, or just love a good comeback story, thisone’s packed with insight.

✅ Key Takeaways:

• Bundling works—even when it’s messy—because it locks in lifetime value.

• Personalization is the next battlefield in streaming retention.

• Disney’s loyalty ecosystem is underleveraged but powerful.

• AI could usher in a new era of storytelling, putting the viewer at the center.

Guest Plug:

Michael Cerdá’s book Build Something is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It dives

deeper into Disney Plus’s launch and other major product stories.

Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives.

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