- Streaming continues to outperform expectations, led by Disney Plus, where worldwide subscribers have grown past 73 million.
- Disney's other divisions remain in a tough spot, though live sports has helped the company's media networks division.
- The formerly lucrative amusement parks division's struggles continue, with Disneyland expected to remain closed until 2021, prompting chief executive Bob Chapek to take a shot at California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Disney Plus was the shining star for Disney's year-end earnings report on Thursday. Paid subscribers blew past expectations to 73 million as of October 3rd. Reported quarterly revenue of $14.7 billion beat Wall Street expectations, although it still represents a 23% decrease year-over-year.
- Disney Lays Off 28,000 at U.S. Theme Parks - dot.LA ›
- Disney's Bob Iger Will Focus on Digital Innovation - dot.LA ›
- Disney Earnings Include Big Mulan News - dot.LA ›
- Disney Moves Aggressively into Streaming on Disney Plus - dot.LA ›
Walt Disney Company is restructuring its operations to prioritize streaming as the pandemic reshuffles the entertainment industry.
With the new structure, there will be three content groups: movies, sports and general entertainment such as television shows. Another arm will determine on which platforms content will be distributed.
- Disney Loses $1.4 Billion in Operating Income Due To COVID-19 ... ›
- bob-chapek - dot.LA ›
- What Mulan 2020 May Mean for Disney+ and Movie Distribution ... ›
- Kevin Mayer Leaves Disney for TikTok - dot.LA ›
- Disney Plus Surpasses 60 Million Subscribers - dot.LA ›
- disney-plus - dot.LA ›
- Disney Moves Aggressively into Streaming on Disney Plus - dot.LA ›
Looking for something to do this holiday weekend? Grab the (microwaved) popcorn and 'let's get down to business.'
Disney is releasing its live-action remake "Mulan" on Disney+, with potentially groundbreaking implications for how tentpole films are usually released.
If you're a Disney+ subscriber, you can gain exclusive access — but you will have to pay $29.99 on top of the monthly subscription fee. To purchase, head to your Disney+ app on Apple, Roku and Google platforms or to Disney+'s website. You'll retain the film for as long as you remain a Disney+ subscriber. But if you're planning to catch "Mulan" when it's added to the general Disney+ library, you'll have to wait until December 4th.
I worked as a senior analyst at Disney when it was just beginning to devise how to bring its content direct-to-consumer. This is another shrewd business experiment for the media giant to test out a little disruptive distribution. Streaming has become a core part of its strategy as the pandemic wreaks havoc across traditional revenue streams. And as many users hop between streaming services, the "Mulan" release may give Disney+ a well-timed incentive to keep customers from cancelling subscriptions while they await the next season of "The Mandalorian." Giving its users sustained access to one of 2020's only films — and a key addition to its princess franchise at that— could give Disney+ a stickiness advantage over its competitors.
So how should you evaluate whether Mulan's release is a success?
- Disney Loses $1.4 Billion in Operating Income Due To COVID-19 ... ›
- Disney Earnings Include Big Mulan News - dot.LA ›
- Disney Plus Surpasses 60 Million Subscribers - dot.LA ›
- What Mulan Could Mean - dot.LA ›
- Disney Reorganizes to Focus on Streaming - dot.LA ›
- Disney Moves Aggressively into Streaming on Disney Plus - dot.LA ›
- Will New Movies Be Released Simultaneously at Home in 2021? - dot.LA ›