By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The Walt Disney Company is close to a deal to sell its operations in India to its biggest rival Reliance Industries. Disney values its India assets, which includes the Disney+ Hotstar streaming service, at around $10 billion. The company has been looking at ways to trim costs after dealing with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, and a … [Read more...] about Disney Reportedly Looking at 10B Sale of Its Assets in India
Disney
Opinion: Box Office is Back, But Blockbusters Are Not
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief This has been the year of the Big Flop, as multiple Hollywood 'tentpole' blockbusters have failed to break even at the box office. That's led some—including yours truly—to fear the end of the cinema experience is near, but there's another explanation that actually makes more sense. When you actually look at the data for overall box office … [Read more...] about Opinion: Box Office is Back, But Blockbusters Are Not
Feature: Iger Promises Major Change as Disney Contract Extended
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The Walt Disney Company has extended CEO Bob Iger’s contract by two years, to the end of 2026. The 72-year-old Iger originally said he would only come back to the role for a maximum of two years. However, Iger has said there are issues to deal with at Disney that will take longer to address. “I think what I’m saying is it’s time,” … [Read more...] about Feature: Iger Promises Major Change as Disney Contract Extended
Pandora and Disney Collaborate On Jewelry Collection For The Little Mermaid
By Allison WatkinsonTLL ReporterPandora has launched a licensed jewelry collection based on Disney's live-action film, The Little Mermaid. Pandora is a global jewelry brand that specializes in creating hand-finished jewelry using high-quality materials. Each piece for the co-branded collection features Pandora's signature solid sterling silver or 14K gold plating style with … [Read more...] about Pandora and Disney Collaborate On Jewelry Collection For The Little Mermaid
Move Over Disney: Baboon and IQI Producing Winnie the Pooh Film and Series
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief It's been a long wait, but studios can now produce content based on the A.A. Milne book Winnie the Pooh. That's because the book finally entered the public domain in January, after 95 years, ending Disney's ownership of the brand. As a result, Baboon Animation and IQI Media are now able to produce what they're calling a prequel film, as … [Read more...] about Move Over Disney: Baboon and IQI Producing Winnie the Pooh Film and Series
SVOD Licensing: Hundreds of Titles Removed From Disney+ Lineup
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The Walt Disney Company has gone through a massive wave of changes over the last few years, but one thing that has been barely noticed is that the company's Disney+ service has removed hundreds of titles from its lineup. The changes at Disney started with the hiring of Bob Chapek, who had. the misfortune to guide the company just as the … [Read more...] about SVOD Licensing: Hundreds of Titles Removed From Disney+ Lineup
Who’s News: Kristen Finney to Manage International Content for Disney+
Disney has promoted Kristen Finney as part of a global strategy to improve content creation for Disney+ in international markets. Finney is to take on the newly created role of Executive VP of Content Creation. Prior to the reassignment, Finney was the executive VP for content distribution strategy and development within Disney’s direct-to-consumer division on the platform … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Kristen Finney to Manage International Content for Disney+
Genius Brands Signs Long-Term Deal with Marvel Studios to License the Likeness of Stan Lee
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Stan Lee Universe has signed a 20-year deal to license the name and likeness of Stan Lee to Marvel Studios and Disney for global use in media and experiences. Stan Lee Universe is a joint venture between Pow! Entertainment and Genius Brands International that is focused on maintaining and expanding Stan Lee's legacy through licensing deals … [Read more...] about Genius Brands Signs Long-Term Deal with Marvel Studios to License the Likeness of Stan Lee
Disney+ Partners With Red Hot African Animators
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The African animation scene is red hot right now, and people in that continent are now seeing more animated films and series that represent their lives and culture. Disney is among the many companies that has discovered the rapidly growing well of talent bubbling up throughout the region, and has now partnered with animators from across Africa … [Read more...] about Disney+ Partners With Red Hot African Animators
Writers Form #DisneyMustPay Task Force In Royalty Dispute
Disney has been getting back into the publishing business in a big way in recent years, but the acquisition of several publishing houses has also brought some headaches in the form of writers who say they are owed unpaid royalties. Half a dozen writers' organizations have joined the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) in forming the task force, which is … [Read more...] about Writers Form #DisneyMustPay Task Force In Royalty Dispute