Discussion of Disney's latest earnings report and new announcements, including a $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, a stand-alone ESPN streaming service, bundled sports streaming service, Moana 2, Taylor Swift's concert movie on Disney+, and the Nelson Peltz proxy battle. They analyze Disney's cost-cutting strategy, the importance of regaining investor confidence, and the potential impact of Nelson Peltz being on the Disney board. They also discuss the controversy surrounding the Gina Carano-Disney lawsuit.
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Quick takeaways
Disney's commitment to franchise sequels demonstrates their strategy to rebuild consumer interest and trust.
Disney's joint venture for sports streaming reflects their recognition of the importance of sports as a necessary element for modern media companies.
Deep dives
Disney's Quarterly Earnings and Projections
Disney's CEO Bob Iger released the latest quarterly earnings report, which showed positive financials, narrowing streaming losses, and meeting or exceeding cost-cutting targets. The stock jumped about 12% in response to the solid numbers, providing a blow to activist investor Nelson Peltz. Iger also announced numerous new projects and partnerships, including a joint venture for sports streaming, a $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, a fall 2025 release date for ESPN's streaming service, and the upcoming Moana movie. The earnings call demonstrated Disney's commitment to recovering from recent struggles and focusing on franchise hits.
Disney's Focus on Franchise Sequels
Disney's strategy to regain momentum involves leaning into franchise sequels. The company is banking on successful sequels like Inside Out 2, Moana 2, and Lion King Mufasa to rebuild consumer interest and trust. By shifting original content like the planned Moana TV series into movie sequels, Disney aims to appeal to its core audience and generate significant box office returns. The success of these sequels will be crucial for Disney to demonstrate that its IP cycle is back on track and that it can deliver the engaging and beloved content that fans expect.
Disney's Sports Streaming Joint Venture
Disney's announcement of a joint venture for sports streaming marks a strategic shift for the company. Recognizing that direct-to-consumer sports streaming is challenging without a strong lineup of content, Disney plans to bundle its sports streaming service with existing platforms like Disney Plus and Hulu. The aim is to create a comprehensive bundle that appeals to consumers, leveraging Disney's expertise in bundling and maximizing economic returns. While the success of this bundle is uncertain, Disney sees sports as a necessary element for modern media companies.
Controversy Surrounding Gina Carano's Lawsuit
Former Mandalorian actress Gina Carano filing a lawsuit against Disney, claiming she was fired due to her right-wing opinions on social media. While Carano argues that her termination constitutes discrimination, legal experts predict that her case will likely be dismissed. Disney, as a private entity, has the right to enforce company policies and protect its brand reputation. The case raises questions about the boundaries of political activity and the potential impact on future employment contracts in relation to social media conduct.
Matt is joined by media analyst Rich Greenfield to discuss Disney’s latest quarterly earnings report, as well as a slew of new announcements from CEO Bob Iger. Matt and Rich run through each announcement, including their new $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, a stand-alone ESPN streaming service, their bundled sports streaming service with Fox and WBD, Moana 2, Taylor Swift's concert movie coming to Disney+, and the Nelson Peltz proxy battle. Later, the pair determine whether they can prove to the creative community that they are officially back. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the Gina Carano–Disney lawsuit.
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