The Town with Matthew Belloni Hollywood Q1 Report: Disneyland in Abu Dhabi, a Warner Bros. Spinoff, and Streaming is … Stable?
29 snips
May 12, 2025 
Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg's media and entertainment reporter, joins to dissect Hollywood's latest financial updates. They discuss Disney’s ambitious plan for a new theme park in Abu Dhabi, balancing brand values with regional challenges. The conversation shifts to Warner Bros. Discovery's potential split and how companies like Paramount are struggling. They also tackle the evolving profitability landscape of streaming services, showcasing the financial health of Netflix and Disney amidst competitors facing adversity. It's a lively analysis of an industry in transition!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Streaming Profitability Shift
- Streaming services are now mostly profitable, with Netflix, Disney, and Warner Discovery leading.
- However, the profitability often doesn't offset the decline in traditional TV networks.
Warner Bros. Split Challenges
- Splitting Warner Bros. Discovery into separate entities is challenging financially because cable networks generate 85% of its profits.
- Separating profit centers while managing debt complicates growth and deal-making.
Disney's Abu Dhabi Expansion
- Disney will open a Disneyland park in Abu Dhabi without ownership or construction involvement.
- The decision reflects a strategic move into the Middle East, despite cultural and political complexities.