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The company plans to expand its streaming offerings by the end of the year with a new app that combines Disney+ and Hulu, Chief Executive Bob Iger said. Total subscribers to the flagship Disney+ service dropped by 4 million from the previous quarter to 157.8 million. Most of the defections came from the Disney+ Hotstar offering in India after it lost streaming rights to Indian Premier League cricket matches. "Striking a fine balance between customer acquisition versus financial performance is no easy feat." As Disney tries to build streaming, its traditional television business faces hurdles.

☆ Disney aims for more profits at Disney+ with more ads, less content, higher fees
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —Disney laid out the profit plan for Disney+ streaming service on its investor call after reporting its most recent quarterly results, and it’s likely not going to make its customers very happy. It entails cutting back on the content offered, selling more ads and charging higher subscription fees. The company’s ongoing efforts to trim losses and begin to make profits on its streaming business could disappoint some of the people who have enjoyed Disney+, however. “It’s critical we rationalize the volume of content we’re creating and what we’re spending to produce our content,” Iger said about the cuts to the streaming service. Iger said Disney is still learning the proper business model for streaming as it makes the transition.

☆ Disney and DeSantis have been in a year-long feud that began after the company spoke out against a controversial bill. Here's a timeline of the events.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The feud began after the entertainment giant spoke out last March against a controversial piece of legislation critics have called the Don't Say Gay bill. The state Board of Education voted on Wednesday to expand that law to cover grades 4 to 12. The new district board also is considering more inspection regulations, building workforce affordable housing on land that borders the resort and theme park, and selling the district-owned utilities. It was the first time the board met since the revelation of the agreement between the prior district board members and Disney. On April 19, the state board approved a ban on classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity for all grades, including grades 4-12.

☆ Disney and DeSantis have been in a yearlong feud that began after the company spoke out against a controversial bill. Here's a timeline of the events.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Lloyd Lee | Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

After a yearlong feud, Disney sued DeSantis on Wednesday, alleging that the Florida governor tried to "weaponize government power" over the company. The state Board of Education voted on Wednesday to expand that law to cover grades four to 12. Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, our state has seen record growth in jobs, GDP, and net domestic in-migration. It was the first time the board met since the revelation of the agreement between the prior district board members and Disney. On April 19, the state board approved a ban on classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity for all grades, including grades four through 12.

☆ GOP lawmaker leading Florida legislature's effort to rein in Disney was a company stock-holder until the DeSantis feud
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

One key ally, Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, previously held Disney stock but said he sold on principle. Ron DeSantis claw back control of Walt Disney World's special tax district was once a Walt Disney Company investor, annual disclosures show. Ingoglia told Insider that he manages his stocks himself, and that they were long-term holds with a retirement or brokerage account. The financial ties to Disney underscore the company's largess and influence in Florida, where it's the state's biggest attraction. Disney CEO Bob Iger told Time he would be willing to sit down with DeSantis over the feud.

☆ Disney's famous Dole Whip is no longer limited to theme parks as the pineapple treat heads to grocery stores
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Dole Whip soft-serve cup is an iconic treat made famous by Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Dole Packaged Foods said it is making its Dole Whip treat available nationwide in grocery stores. Dole Packaged Foods, the maker of the iconic Dole Whip, announced plans on March 3 to make the frozen treat available in supermarkets nationwide. Disneyland makes various versions of the Dole Whip treat. The food stand sells the original treats – Dole Whip and the Dole Whip Float – and several new concoctions, such as the Strawberry Dole Whip Sundae and a Chile-Mango Whip.

New York CNN —Disneyland has removed the “zip-a-dee-doo-dah” lyric played during its park parades because it comes from a movie that has been criticized for racist portrayals of Black Americans. The lyric initially appeared in the “Magic Happens” parade when it debuted in March 2020. The song “Zip-a-dee-doo-dah” originated in the 1946 film “Song of the South” that has long been criticized for stereotypes of “spiritual” Black men and its seemingly nostalgic view of the antebellum South. Disneyland officials told the OC Register in 2020 that the removal of the “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” song from the theme park resort is part of a continuous process to deliver an environment that features stories that are relevant and inclusive. “Song of the South” is so controversial that Disney has locked it away for decades and even kept it off the extensive library of Disney+.

☆ Disney CEO Bob Iger wastes no time putting turnaround plans in place after a solid quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Jeff Marks | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Bottom Line The Disney quarter had a lot to offer for the bulls. In the current quarter, management expects operating results to improve by $200 million, pegging losses at around $800 million, which is in line with estimates on Factset. By extension, Disney is reorganizing into three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, an ESPN division, and a Parks, Experiences and Products unit. Iger wants Disney to be more efficient, and he believes this overhaul will make for a more cost-effective and streamlined approach to its operations. Bob Iger, former CEO, The Walt Disney Company Scott Mlyn | CNBC

☆ Breakingviews: Disney’s next 100 years hinges on a metaverse
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Jennifer Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Walt Disney (DIS.N) in October will celebrate its 100th anniversary. In the past century, the Magic Kingdom’s theme parks have survived technological forces. The idea expanded and now the company operates parks in Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai, not to mention the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The theme parks, and their related consumer products, are an increasingly important part of the company. In the year ending September 2018, the division had a chunky 25% operating margin and represented almost 40% of Disney’s total operating profit of $16 billion.

☆ Disney’s next 100 years hinges on a metaverse
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Jennifer Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Walt Disney (DIS.N) in October will celebrate its 100th anniversary. In the past century, the Magic Kingdom’s theme parks have survived technological forces. Taking the real Disneyland as a blueprint for the metaverse that marries its brand and streaming ambitions is not hard to fathom. The idea expanded and now the company operates parks in Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai, not to mention the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. In the year ending September 2018, the division had a chunky 25% operating margin and represented almost 40% of Disney’s total operating profit of $16 billion.

☆ It's not just you. Disney's CEO reportedly thinks its theme parks have gotten too expensive.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Disney's CEO was alarmed by rising prices at its theme parks, the Wall Street Journal reported. Bob Iger made a surprise comeback as Disney's CEO on Sunday, returning less than a year after leaving the company. Daily admission prices at Disney's theme parks have risen to $189 this year. Disney's top executive Bob Iger thinks prices at the company's theme parks have gotten too high, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people close to him. Chapek told investors in May that people were spending 40% more at Disney's theme parks than before the pandemic.

☆ Can Bob Iger fix Disney?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Frank Pallotta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

But If anyone can bring back the magic to the Walt Disney Company, the company believes Bob Iger may be uniquely qualified to do it. StreamingIn a shocking move, Bob Iger is returning as Disney's CEO. Disney’s streaming service — which includes ESPN+, Hulu and most importantly, Disney+ — had been the most vital part of the company’s vast media kingdom. In its statement reintroducing Iger as CEO, Disney said he was “uniquely situated to lead the company through this pivotal period.”Iger was instrumental in forming the modern Disney. With the media industry in turmoil, Disney hope Iger is up to the tall task of righting its ship.

☆ Disneyland adds dolls in wheelchairs to ‘It’s a Small World’
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-12 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Disneyland on Friday added two new characters in wheelchairs to its iconic “It’s a Small World” attraction, saying it wanted a “more accurate representation of diversity around the world.”The animatronic dolls are among some 300 costumed dolls representing singing children from many nations featured in the attraction. Erin Quintanilla, manager of accessibility for the Disneyland Resort, said the designs sought to combine authenticity with the colorful, cheerful style of the original standing dolls. “I teared up when I saw them in the attraction.”Similar dolls will be added next year to “It’s a Small World” rides at Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Paris. Disney has added characters to “It’s a Small World” in the past. A new “Spirit of America” scene added in 2009 included Woody and other “Toy Story” characters along with dolls in Native American dress.

☆ Medieval Times sues performers' union over trademark infringement
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Jack Stebbins | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The restaurant-and-show chain is suing its employees' New Jersey union for allegedly infringing on its trademark by using the Medieval Times name. The union also represents Medieval Times workers at a location in California. Medieval Times, which is privately owned, is seeking an injunction on the infringement and payment from the unionized castle workers for damages, attorney's fees and unjust profits made under the Medieval Times name. Medieval Times Performers United is a subset of a national performers union called the American Guild of Variety Artists. Medieval Times Performers United on Thursday called the complaint a "frivolous lawsuit" and "unlawful thuggery."

☆ Disney's U.S. theme park ticket hikes point to continued strong demand and pricing power
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Kevin Stankiewicz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The hikes are also happening when there have been questions about how well demand at Disney's theme parks will hold up in the face of persistent inflation and worries of an economic slowdown. The popularity of Genie+ has exceeded management's expectations and helped to boost per capita spending at the theme parks. We think the market is getting this all wrong based on the strength of the company's underlying businesses, especially the highly profitable division that includes theme parks. In the near term, these latest price hikes at the theme parks may point to continued theme park-strength, based on Chapek's August comments to CNBC: "If consumer demand keeps up, we act accordingly." We'll get a more detailed look at how Disney's theme parks did in its fiscal fourth quarter when the company's official quarterly results hit the tape after the Nov. 8 closing bell.

☆ Disney World, Disneyland Push Their Prices Higher
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Jacob Passy | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Budgeting for a Disney theme-park vacation just became a bit more complicated. Disney raised the pricing for its Genie+ service, which allows visitors to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California to skip the lengthy standby waits for popular rides. Now, the service’s cost will vary day to day, based on how crowded the parks are.

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