But Disney+, Paramount+, Peacock and others continue to lose money. Most analysts say that there are too many streaming services and that the weakest will ultimately close or merge with bigger competitors. The entertainment industry’s underlying cable television and box office problems also remain dire, in some cases growing worse during the five months it took to restore labor peace. In July, Disney announced that it was exploring a once-unthinkable sale of a stake in ESPN, the cable giant that has powered much of Disney’s growth over the past two decades. Paramount Global’s once-venerable cable portfolio, centered on Nickelodeon and MTV, has also been pummeled by cord cutting; Paramount shares have dropped nearly 50 percent since May.

---

Persons: ” Zack Stentz, “, “ Thor, ”, Max, Peacock, Paramount Global’s Organizations: Netflix, Hulu, Warner Bros, Discovery, Paramount, Comcast, Disney, ESPN, Nickelodeon, MTV