Disney’s Streaming Turnaround and Netflix’s Boxing Debut
Nov 19, 2024
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Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in media and entertainment, joins to discuss Disney's profitability turnaround in streaming under Bob Iger's leadership. They explore strategic moves like cost reductions and an advertising tier that signal a brighter future for the company. Shaw also delves into Netflix's recent boxing debut featuring Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, highlighting the technical hiccups during the live broadcast. The conversation wraps up with insights into Conan O'Brien's potential impact on the upcoming Oscars ratings.
Disney's return to profitability in streaming under Bob Iger highlights the essential role of strategic content decisions amid ongoing industry challenges.
The unpredictable nature of Netflix's live events, illustrated by the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match, underscores potential risks in their streaming expansion efforts.
Deep dives
Disney's Streaming Turnaround
Disney's streaming business has undergone a significant turnaround since Bob Iger returned as CEO, moving from major losses to profitability. In fiscal 2022, the company reported a staggering $1.5 billion loss in a single quarter for its streaming services, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. By making strategic changes, such as cutting unprofitable shows, shifting projects to theatrical releases, and introducing an ad-supported tier, Disney has since transformed its streaming financials. The company reported that its overall streaming business generated $321 million in profit for the recent quarter, indicating promising potential for future growth.
Brand Power and Viewer Engagement
Disney's brand strength is a crucial factor in its ability to attract and retain subscribers across its streaming platforms. The company's library, which includes beloved franchises and characters, creates a unique opportunity for synergy between theatrical releases and streaming viewership. Despite this, there are concerns about the amount of time users spend on Disney+ compared to Hulu, especially as Hulu's user base has been decreasing while Disney+ grows. Thus, while Disney enjoys a strong brand connection, it faces the challenge of ensuring that this advantage translates into loyal viewership and engagement.
Challenges in the Streaming Landscape
The podcast discusses the ongoing challenges facing Disney amid its streaming success, specifically addressing the issues within its other business segments like ESPN and linear television. Although Disney has made progress, concerns linger regarding their direct-to-consumer business, which continues to face losses. The commentary suggests that comparisons made by skeptics between the efficiency of traditional cable and current streaming operations overlook the realities of Disney's relatively nascent position in the streaming landscape. The narrative emphasizes that building a sustainable streaming model involves initial high costs, and Disney is now at a pivotal moment that could lead to lasting success.
The Future of Content and Succession Plans
The discourse also touches on Disney's content creation strategy and CEO succession plans, underscoring the importance of producing hit shows that resonate with audiences. With revenue from films like 'Inside Out 2' expected to contribute to subscriber retention and growth, the connections between blockbuster releases and streaming viewership highlight the interconnected nature of their entertainment ecosystem. Additionally, the ongoing discussions related to finding a successor to Bob Iger are noted, reflecting the complexities of leadership transitions during a time of significant transformation in the company. As the need for innovative content to strengthen their position grows, the stability of leadership will play a critical role in maintaining Disney's momentum.
Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to talk about Disney reaching profitability in streaming, how Bob Iger managed to turn the company around in his two years since returning as CEO, and whether this is the beginning of a larger turnaround for Disney. Later, they discuss Netflix’s Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing event, the glitchy live broadcast, what this means for Netflix in general, and its upcoming NFL games on Christmas (03:03). Matt finishes the show by predicting how recently announced Oscars host Conan O’Brien will affect the ratings of the 2025 Academy Awards (24:12).
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