The Town with Matthew Belloni Disney’s Streaming Profits and Parks Problem
9 snips
Aug 7, 2024 
Brooks Barnes, a New York Times staff reporter specializing in entertainment, joins to unpack Disney's recent financial struggles. They dive into the reasons behind declining park attendance and rising customer dissatisfaction due to price hikes. The conversation explores streaming profitability, expected price increases for Disney+ and Hulu, and Bob Iger's reputation among fans. They also tease the exciting developments anticipated at the upcoming D23 conference, alongside a discussion on the box office prospects for 'Borderlands' and 'It Ends With Us'.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Park Dependence Creates Vulnerability
- Disney parks are a key profit driver, contributing 70% of the company's profits.
- This reliance makes Disney vulnerable to economic downturns, as park attendance might decline.
Fan Backlash to Park Price Hikes
- Disney fans express growing discontent over park price hikes, like paid airport shuttles and meal packages.
- This backlash is significant enough that Disney reversed some cost-cutting measures.
Universal Park's Impact on Disney
- Universal's new park in Florida could impact Disney attendance, as families might postpone trips or choose Universal exclusively.
- Traditionally new parks there help Disney indirectly, as visitors usually attend both, but Universal's expansion changes the potential dynamic.