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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.
Florida Gov. DeSantis responds to Disney’s cancelation of Lake Nona project
Read full article: Florida Gov. DeSantis responds to Disney’s cancelation of Lake Nona project"To put one corporation on a pedestal and let them be exempt from the laws? It's not good policy. It's not free-market economics," DeSantis said on Friday.
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 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.
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.
Disney says New ‘Toy Story,’ ‘Frozen’ and ‘Zootopia’ movies on tap
Read full article: Disney says New ‘Toy Story,’ ‘Frozen’ and ‘Zootopia’ movies on tapDisney is working on sequels for its “Toy Story,” “Frozen” and “Zootopia” franchises as the company concentrates more on brands that have continued to perform well.
What comes next? Experts weigh in on what Disney’s CEO switch means for company’s future
Read full article: What comes next? Experts weigh in on what Disney’s CEO switch means for company’s futureFormer Walt Disney Company Chief Executive Bob Iger is returning to lead Disney as Chief Executive Officer. Senior leadership made the announcement this weekend saying Iger succeeds Bob Chapek, who stepped down from his position.
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 CEO Bob Chapek weighs in on reservation system, Parental Rights in Education bill
Read full article: Disney CEO Bob Chapek weighs in on reservation system, Parental Rights in Education billDisney CEO Bob Chapek said Wednesday that he expects the Walt Disney Company to continue to evolve by creating opportunities, focus on customized storytelling, build transformative moments and take bold risks to move forward in the marketplace.
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.
Disney revenues increase in second quarter with help of parks, Disney+
Read full article: Disney revenues increase in second quarter with help of parks, Disney+While the company touted its gains to investors, it did not say anything about the dismantling of the special district that governs Walt Disney World.
Disney in balancing act as some workers walk out in protest
Read full article: Disney in balancing act as some workers walk out in protestWith some workers across the U.S. staging a walkout, The Walt Disney Co. finds itself performing a high-wire act of balancing the expectations of a diverse workforce against demands from an increasingly polarized and politicized marketplace.
With walkout threat over Florida’s parental rights bill, Disney finds itself in balancing act
Read full article: With walkout threat over Florida’s parental rights bill, Disney finds itself in balancing actEven 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.
Disney workers plan walkout to protest ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill
Read full article: Disney workers plan walkout to protest ‘Don’t Say Gay’ billDisney workers are planning walkouts during their breaks every day this week to protest CEO Bob Chapek’s slow response in publicly criticizing Florida’s so-called Don’t Say Gay legislation.
‘I let you down:’ Disney CEO pauses political donations amid ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill backlash
Read full article: ‘I let you down:’ Disney CEO pauses political donations amid ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill backlashDisney CEO Bob Chapek said Friday in an apologetic email to employees that he “missed the mark” in his response to HB 1557, controversial Florida legislation dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Disney CEO Bob Chapek denounces ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill week after protests
Read full article: Disney CEO Bob Chapek denounces ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill week after protestsDisney CEO Bob Chapek publicly opposed Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill—dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by critics—Wednesday at a shareholders meeting, nearly a week after people protested and asked the company to share its views on the controversial piece of legislation.
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.
Disney CEO says attendance caps at theme parks being raised after CDC mask announcement
Read full article: Disney CEO says attendance caps at theme parks being raised after CDC mask announcementDisney’s top executive says the CDC’s decision to ease up mask-wearing requirements for fully vaccinated people is “very big news for us.”.
Walt Disney World’s reservation system staying in place through early 2023
Read full article: Walt Disney World’s reservation system staying in place through early 2023ORLANDO, Fla. – Guests making reservations for future trips to Walt Disney World now have the opportunity to make theme park reservations in 2023. According to Walt Disney World’s reservation system, slots are now available for all its theme parks through Jan. 14, 2023. (Walt Disney World)Officials said the new system was put in place to manage capacity limits in the parks while also following health and safety guidance. The new reservations in 2023 follow the Walt Disney Company’s 2021 quarter one earnings report, which was released last week. Absolutely not.”AdNo word on if the reservation system will stay in place following these new reservation dates.
Disney theme parks will likely require masks through 2021
Read full article: Disney theme parks will likely require masks through 2021Disney CEO Bob Chapek said he expects the strict safety precautions at the parks to last through the end of the year. He hopes there are vaccines for everyone who wants them by April, Chapek said that could be a ‘gamechanger’ for the theme parks. “But do we think we will be in the same state of 6-foot social distancing and mask-wearing in 2022? Absolutely not.”Disney parks in Central Florida are also expected to stay at some level of limited capacity. The battered cruise industry continues to rock Disney’s business plan, and the parks division alone reported a $119 million loss last quarter.
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+ subscribers reach 86.8 million worldwide
Read full article: Disney+ subscribers reach 86.8 million worldwideChapek said Disney+ subscribers worldwide have reached 86.8 million, up from 74 million last month. 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 World plans to increase capacity to 35%
Read full article: Disney World plans to increase capacity to 35%ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Disney CEO Bob Chapek told investors they are seeing high demand and strong attendance at the parks in Orlando. [RELATED: Disney posts 4Q loss as parks business, costs drag results]Additionally, Thursday was the release of Disney’s fourth quarter and full fiscal year earnings. Disney’s quarter four revenues were over 14.7 billion, that’s down 23 percent from last year. The report shows Disney’s fiscal year revenue was 65.3 billion, down about 6 percent from last year. If you take a look at Disney’s parks, experiences, and products, the number is down 61 percent in quarter four and down 37 percent for the fiscal year.
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.
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.
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 numbers[MORE: Here’s a glimpse at theme park reopening plans | Behind the closed gates: What’s been happening at Central Florida theme parks during pandemic closures]Disney is opening its Shanghai park cautiously as it evaluates reopening other parks around the world. (Disney)During a roundtable discussion, Disney executive George Kalogridis said the company is considering reopening its U.S. parks with 20% to 30% capacity. 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. Chapek has said it’s ultimately up to how comfortable people are and how they react to the parks reopening their gates. The next time we visit a Disney theme park, it’ll be like going for the first time.