WEATHER ALERT
Disney names Gorman to chair its succession planning committee
Read full article: Disney names Gorman to chair its succession planning committeeThe Walt Disney Co. has tapped James Gorman to lead its succession planning committee as the entertainment company continues to work toward finding someone to take over the helm from Bob Iger.
Disney pouring $60 billion into theme parks, cruises over the next 10 years
Read full article: Disney pouring $60 billion into theme parks, cruises over the next 10 yearsThe Walt Disney Co. is planning to invest approximately $60 billion into its theme parks and cruise lines over the next decade, as the company looks to continue growing one of its more successful business segments.
Disney to boost prices for ad-free Disney+ and Hulu services and vows crackdown on password sharing
Read full article: Disney to boost prices for ad-free Disney+ and Hulu services and vows crackdown on password sharingWalt Disney CEO Bob Iger vowed to make its streaming services profitable via a planned October price hike on its ad-free Disney+ and Hulu plans and a crackdown on password sharing expected to extend through next year.
Disney extends CEO Bob Iger's contract 2 more years through 2026
Read full article: Disney extends CEO Bob Iger's contract 2 more years through 2026Bob Iger will remain as CEO of The Walt Disney Co. through the end of 2026, agreeing to a two-year contract extension that will give the entertainment and theme park company some breathing room to find his successor.
Disney posts higher second-quarter earnings and revenue thanks to strong theme parks business
Read full article: Disney posts higher second-quarter earnings and revenue thanks to strong theme parks businessOngoing strength at its theme parks and an improving streaming business propelled The Walt Disney Co. to higher profits and revenue in its fiscal second quarter.
Disney parks at the forefront after Iger's return
Read full article: Disney parks at the forefront after Iger's returnIt’s been six months since Bob Iger canceled his retirement and stepped back into the top role at Disney to right a number of perceived wrongs under his handpicked successor, with one hovering right near the top: reconnecting with the Disney theme park die-hards and restoring their faith in the brand.
Disney sues Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over control of self-governing district
Read full article: Disney sues Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over control of self-governing districtThe entertainment giant alleges that DeSantis "orchestrated" a retaliation campaign as "punishment for Disney’s protected speech."
Peltz, citing changes at Disney, ends push for set on board
Read full article: Peltz, citing changes at Disney, ends push for set on boardActivist investor Nelson Peltz is calling off a proxy fight with Disney one day after newly returned CEO Bob Iger announced a major restructuring of the company that includes thousands of job cuts.
Iger back on top in a Disney plot twist that few saw coming
Read full article: Iger back on top in a Disney plot twist that few saw comingBob Iger, the enterprising entertainment executive who brought Star Wars, Pixar and Marvel under the Disney marquee and challenged the streaming dominance of Netflix, will replace his handpicked successor, CEO Bob Chapek, whose two-year tenure has been marked by clashes, missteps and a weakening financial performance.
Disney raises streaming prices after services post a big operating loss
Read full article: Disney raises streaming prices after services post a big operating lossDisney unveiled a new pricing structure that incorporates an advertising-supported Disney+ as part of an effort to make its streaming business profitable.
Disney+ ad-free subscription cost to rise by 38% in December
Read full article: Disney+ ad-free subscription cost to rise by 38% in DecemberDisney said it is raising prices for streaming subscribers in the U_S_ who want to watch Disney+ without ads as more viewers switch to what CEO Bob Chapek described Wednesday as the “best value in streaming.”.
Disney's 'Lightyear' banned in Muslim world for lesbian kiss
Read full article: Disney's 'Lightyear' banned in Muslim world for lesbian kissAuthorities across much of the Muslim world have barred Disney’s latest animated film “Lightyear” from being played at cinemas after the inclusion of a brief kiss between a lesbian couple.
Elton John doc ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ lands at Disney
Read full article: Elton John doc ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ lands at DisneySir Elton John is preparing to say goodbye in fabulous splendor, with the help of a documentary crew and the Walt Disney Co. Disney Original Documentary and Disney+ said Wednesday that the film, entitled “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: The Final Elton John Performances and the Years that Made his Legend,” will serve as the definitive and official feature on John’s life and career.
Mickey Mouse to Texas? Fort Bend County Judge KP George extends invitation to Disney to consider new resort in Texas amid fallout over self-government in Florida
Read full article: Mickey Mouse to Texas? Fort Bend County Judge KP George extends invitation to Disney to consider new resort in Texas amid fallout over self-government in FloridaWould you want an outpost of “the most magical place on Earth” down the highway on 59? Fort Bend County Judge KP George says, “come on down!”
Disney in balancing act as some workers walk out in protest
Read full article: Disney in balancing act as some workers walk out in protestEven though only a small percentage of Walt Disney Co. workers participated in a walkout, organizers felt they had won a moral victory with the company issuing a statement denouncing the anti-LGBTQ legislation that sparked employee outrage.
Alan Horn, longtime film executive, to retire from Disney
Read full article: Alan Horn, longtime film executive, to retire from DisneyAlan Horn, the film executive who helped turn Walt Disney Studios into the most powerful movie studios in Hollywood and whose 50-year career has touched films from from “When Harry Met Sally.
'Shang-Chi' blasts Labor Day records with $71.4M debut
Read full article: 'Shang-Chi' blasts Labor Day records with $71.4M debutOn what’s traditionally one of the sleepiest weekends at the movies, the Marvel film “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” smashed the record for Labor Day openings with an estimated $71.4 million in ticket sales.
Oscars invite Steven Yeun, Issa Rae, others to join Academy
Read full article: Oscars invite Steven Yeun, Issa Rae, others to join AcademySteven Yeun, Nathan Lane, Issa Rae, Robert Pattinson, Janet Jackson, Leslie Odom Jr. and Laverne Cox are among the artists being invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Bergman succeeds Horn as Disney Studios chairman
Read full article: Bergman succeeds Horn as Disney Studios chairmanIn this combination photo, Alan Bergman, left, and Alan F. Horn, attend the premiere of "The Mandalorian" in Los Angeles on Nov. 13, 2019. The Walt Disney Company announced Monday, Dec. 21, 2020 that Bergman has been named Chairman, Disney Studios Content, effective January 1, and Horn will continue to serve as the divisions Chief Creative Officer. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, file)Walt Disney Co. veteran Alan Bergman has been named chairman of Disney Studios, the company said Monday. “The Walt Disney Studios’ achievements under the leadership of Alan Horn and Alan Bergman have been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Bob Chapek, Walt Disney Co. CEO, in a statement. Bergman has worked at Disney for 24 years and served as president of Walt Disney Studios from 2005 to 2019, helping to integrate Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel and Twenty-First Century Fox into the Disney stable of brands.
Disney unveils plans to stream a galaxy of new series, films
Read full article: Disney unveils plans to stream a galaxy of new series, filmsNEW YORK – The Walt Disney Co.’s streaming plans shifted into hyper speed Thursday, as the studio unveiled a galaxy’s worth of new streaming offerings including plans for 10 “Star Wars” series spinoffs and 10 Marvel series that will debut on Disney+. But Disney also kept its biggest films — including Marvel's “Black Widow," Pixar's “Luca,” a “Lion King” prequel — on course for theatrical release. Jenkins becomes the first woman to direct a “Star Wars” film. Among the “Star Wars” series are two spinoffs of “The Mandalorian,” set during the series' timeline: “Rangers of the New Republic” and “Ahsoka,” with Rosario Dawson. Seven Disney films topped $1 billion worldwide.
Disney reorg to further bolster company's focus on streaming
Read full article: Disney reorg to further bolster company's focus on streamingThe company said in August that its Disney Plus service has more than 60 million subscribers, and subscribers to its main combination of streaming services — Disney Plus, ESPN Plus and Hulu — top 100 million. It still plans to launch another international streaming service called Star. Disney has released several major titles on streaming services that would traditionally have appeared at cinemas, like a live-action remake of "Mulan" and the upcoming Pixar film “Soul" that will hit Disney Plus at Christmas. Their primary focus will be on making shows and movies for streaming services, Disney CEO Bob Chapek said in a statement. Disney Plus is considered one of the most successful so far.
Pixar’s ‘Soul’ bypasses theaters, will stream on Christmas
Read full article: Pixar’s ‘Soul’ bypasses theaters, will stream on ChristmasNEW YORK – The Pixar film “Soul” will skip theaters and instead premiere on Disney+ on Christmas, the Walt Disney Co. announced Thursday, sending one of the fall’s last big movies straight to streaming. The successive delays of the film industry's would-be blockbusters has only made the dire circumstances of movie theaters more acute. Without aid, the organization said, 69% of small and mid-sized movie theater companies will close or go bankrupt. “The stark reality is that many movie theaters will not be able to open again if they don’t receive government help,” says Esther Baruh, director of government relations for the association. It recently announced that it would lay off 28,000 workers, most of them at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
After a long slumber, U.S. cinemas awaken on pivotal weekend
Read full article: After a long slumber, U.S. cinemas awaken on pivotal weekendThis combination shows Yifei Liu in the title role of "Mulan," left, and John David Washington in a scene from "Tenet." On Thursday, Christopher Nolans Tenet will arrive in U.S. theaters, the first big movie to head to cinemas since the pandemic began. I didnt expect that many people to show up.More Americans will make their way back to the movies this weekend than any since the pandemic shuttered theaters in March. After debuting in Europe, Canada and Korea last weekend, Tenet on Thursday lands in the 75% open U.S. theaters, along with cinemas in China on Friday. As long as its done in a sensible way.As difficult as the circumstances are, Warner Bros. also sees opportunity.
Disney+ to release live-action Mulan movie on Sept. 4. But you have to pay nearly $30 to watch it
Read full article: Disney+ to release live-action Mulan movie on Sept. 4. But you have to pay nearly $30 to watch itMulan is no longer headed for a major theatrical release. The Walt Disney Co. said Tuesday that it will debut its live-action blockbuster on its subscription streaming service, Disney+, on Sept. 4. But this is no Hamilton: Customers will have to pay an additional $29.99 on top of the cost of the monthly subscription to rent Mulan." The company plans to release it in theaters in areas where Disney+ is not available. Originally set for a March 27 release, Mulan moved to late July, then late August and was then pulled from the calendar all together as COVID-19 cases spiked through the U.S.
What could Disney crowds look like when the park reopens? We take a guess at the numbers
Read full article: What could Disney crowds look like when the park reopens? We take a guess at the numbersORLANDO, Fla. – Walt Disney World is set to once again open its gates to the Magic Kingdom following a lengthy closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. But with most families staying inside and not traveling, how crowded will the theme parks really be when they reopen? Park Capacity Capacity at 25% Magic Kingdom 57,000 people 14,250 people Epcot 34,093 people 8,523 people Hollywood Studios 30,843 people 7,710 people Animal Kingdom 37,671 people 9,417 peopleA park at 25% capacity would mean very minimal wait times. As we can all imagine, visiting a Disney theme park when it reopens will be a new experience for all -- no matter how many times you’ve visited. The Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom parks will open first July 11, with Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopening July 15.
Walt Disney World accepting reservations beginning in July
Read full article: Walt Disney World accepting reservations beginning in JulySo do any additional Disney parks have firmly scheduled, announced opening dates? "We're moving slowly, but we're very encouraged by what we see in Shanghai," Chapek said Monday. Taking reservationsBut adding to the intrigue and desire: Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is now taking reservations for travel July 1 and afterward. At the Shanghai reopening, roaming Disney characters gave waves instead of hugs. Disney SpringsFor Americans who simply need a taste of anything Disney, the Florida resort is reopening Disney Springs, a collection of retail shops, entertainment spots and restaurants, on May 20.