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Monday, December 13, 2021

Disney’s Staggering Spending on Content

 by Ray Keating

Analysis/Commentary

DisneyBizJournal.com

December 13, 2021

 

I know the news on what The Walt Disney Company plans to spend on content during its fiscal year 2022, which began on October 1, is not exactly new. It was released in late November. However, it’s taken a couple of weeks for the numbers to truly sink in with me.

 

Disney plans to up its annual spending on content by $8 billion – from $25 billion in 2021 to $33 billion this year. That’s an increase of 32 percent.



Now, this number isn’t just about Disney+. It covers Disney’s streaming, linear and sports programming. However, the increase seems to be all about streaming, that is, Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. 

 

It was noted in the company’s 2021 annual report that the company would be producing 50 titles (both movies and episodic series) for theater and streaming releases. Also, it was reported that its General Entertainment division would be producing 60 unscripted series, 30 comedy series, 25 drama series, 15 docuseries/limited series, 10 animated series, 5 made for TV movies, and numerous specials and shorts.

 

While not a strictly apple-to-apples comparison given Disney’s greater variety of outlets, it has been reported that Netflix plans to spend about $17 billion in 2022 on content, and WarnerMedia, post-merger, is looking to spend $20 billion each year. 

 

Also, in April 2021, Amazon’s annual report showed that the company spent $11 billion on movies, episodic series and music for its Prime services in 2020, and that was up from $7.8 billion in 2019.

 

Content is king with Disney, and given that investors found the latest report on streaming subscriptions disappointing, 2022 promises to be a big test for the House of Mouse.

 

__________

 

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

Great Christmas Gift! The Disney Planner 2022: The TO DO List Solution is here! It combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for Disney fans, including those who love Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, princesses and more. Also, “The Disney Planner 2022: The TO DO List Solution” comes with a handy spiral binding for easy use. 

 

Keating has three new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13th thriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.comPast Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Again, get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story – grab it at Amazon.com or signed editions at www.raykeatingonline.com

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of DisneyFree Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

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