Disney Headlines for September 8th, 2022
This week, Disney contemplates a(nother) subscription fan service, Comcast circles back to Hulu negotiations, and iconic music divas join the Disneyverse.
We’ve got some fascinating Disney Headlines this week.
Photo Credit: Variety
Disney Prime?
Okay, Disney won’t call what we’re talking about by that name, but it tells the story.
Disney is reportedly planning a subscription service unlike its current one, D23. The company currently delivers a product I’ve discussed here.
Image Group LA via Getty Images
Disney hosts fan events like the D23 Expo in Anaheim, but it also hosts movie screenings, star interviews, and more.
Realistically, D23 exists for superfans who cannot get enough of Disney…you know, people like you and me.
This new program wouldn’t work like that at all. Instead, Disney has eyed something that the competition does.
Specifically, Amazon offers its Prime service to incentivize and reward its loyal customers.
More than 200 million people have signed up for this service, with nearly 150 million active users.
I’m confident you know what Prime is. But, just in case, it entitles subscribers to free music and streaming video plus two-day shipping on most Amazon products.
Photo: ESPN
So, what does Disney sell that is anything like Amazon Prime? Well, that’s the thing.
Disney has watched the revenue stream from its streaming notices. Similarly, the Parks division continues to perform extraordinarily well.
Photo: skillastics.com
Executives believe that most people are Disney fans and might be willing to pay an annual subscription to prove it.
In exchange, these people earn discounts and “special perks.” The real topic of conversation is the metaverse, though. Here’s a Disney spokesperson explaining it:
Photo: Disney
“A membership program is just one of the exciting ideas that is being explored as we consider ways to marry the physical and digital worlds.”
That’s right. Disney wants you to pay a monthly fee that’s guaranteed money for them. In exchange, you’ll use more of their products, albeit at a discount.
Photo: Disney
Remember that much-derided “synergy machine” comment Chapek made a while ago? This is what he meant.
What’s Involved?
The answer right now is nothing. Everything’s theoretical, just like the metaverse itself.
However, Disney envisions a not-so-distant future where members of Disney Prime – they explicitly state they won’t call it that – earns unprecedented benefits.
A New York Times article suggests subscribers could be the first to experience future Star Wars attractions or buy merchandise early.
Think of the situation from this perspective. How much would you have paid to watch Avengers: Endgame before other people? How about WandaVision?
Photo: Disney
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is always sold out. Disney has opened the booking window first for Golden Oak and Disney Vacation Club owners.
Those costs tens of thousands, if not millions, of dollars to join. So a $99 subscription looks like a steal by comparison.
Photo: DVC
Similarly, after-hours ticketed events and theme park festivals often sell exclusive merchandise.
People recently waited eight hours in line to buy a Figment popcorn bucket. With Disney Prime or whatever it’s called (Disney++?), maybe you could skip that line?
Finally, Disney Dreamlight Valley came out yesterday. A member of the subscription service could feasibly gain access to the game much earlier.
You may not believe all these amenities sound valuable. I can tell you that many Disney fans will, though.
Photo: YouTube
At one point, a woman earned nearly $5 million a year on YouTube. What did she do? She opened Disney gifts on camera. We’re that fanatical a group.
Disney could monetize this fandom in a way that pleases us, just as I love watching free movies and TV shows on Amazon Prime.
Photo:Source: Ivan Marc / Shutterstock.com
So, I fully expect this announcement to come soon, possibly even at D23.
My main question is whether it would augment or replace D23.
Comcast Tried to Buy Hulu
Okay, this Headline may need the addition of “twice.” Yes, Comcast has confirmed that it made Disney an offer for Hulu in 2019.
At the time, Disney had just acquired a controlling interest in the streaming service as part of its Fox deal.
Comcast, which currently lists debt of – I’m not joking — $174.47 billion, made an offer for Hulu, as it already owned 33 percent.
Instead, Disney eventually promised to buy Comcast’s stake later. Specifically, Disney will own all of Hulu in 2024.
Photo: THIERRY CHESNOT/GETTY IMAGES
At this point, Disney will cut Comcast a check of at least $10 billion. Meanwhile, Comcast has tried to boost its streaming service, Peacock.
How has that gone? It’s been about as well received as a Yankees fan at a Red Sox game. Peacock has plateaued at 13 million subscribers.
Photo: peacock tv
Last quarter, Peacock cost more money than it earned. So while Comcast executives maintain hope, their optimism is fading.
What Comcast would like to do is snag Hulu and thereby supercharge its streaming ambitions.
Image Credit: Disney
In that scenario, Comcast would buy out Disney’s two-thirds stake in Hulu, presumably for a lot of money.
Now, nobody’s sure how Comcast would get that money, as broke as the company is.
Photo: Getty
Still, Comcast executives believe they could make good use of Disney. But then again, so does Disney.
Recent business articles suggest that Disney could use Comcast’s money to pay down a significant amount of its remaining Fox-related debt.
That would supercharge the Disney economy. And I suspect that Disney’s at least toying with the notion.
This possibility would explain why some former Hulu exclusives are now available on Disney.
Photo:cnet.com
Executives are at least field-testing the idea of one primary entertainment streaming service. If/when that happens, Hulu becomes superfluous.
Disney might as well get paid for Hulu, right?
The Divas Update: Taylor Swift and Megan Thee Stallion
We’ve got one Headline that’s mostly a rumor and another that had been one, but we now know it is true.
The rumor involves Cruella 2, which may be a musical! I say this to explain the potential casting of Taylor Swift. No, really!
Collider.com
Some folks are convinced that Swift will portray the villain (Hero? Antivillain?) who opposes Cruella in the sequel.
I’m not joking with my wording here, as I honestly have no idea how that would work. In the first film, Cruella ran into someone who tormented her.
Now that she’s full-on evil, Swift’s character will apparently be “her match.” That doesn’t mean anti-Cruella would be evil, although I suspect that’s the case.
For whatever reason, modern Disney is portraying Cruella as a misunderstood animal lover.
Getty Images
So, I guess Swift won’t be doing any PETA spots during Cruella’s marketing campaign.
Meanwhile, the previous rumor that did prove true involved Megan Thee Stallion. Yes, the beloved musician has joined the MCU!
Photo: Today Show
Well, I guess she has technically joined the MCU…as herself. The artist appeared in the third episode of She-Hulk as…you know what. I won’t spoil it.
Instead, I’ll say you should watch the episode and the series. You’ll get rewarded for doing so!
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