by Ray Keating
Commentary
DisneyBizJournal.com
September 23, 2023
While visiting Walt Disney World on Friday afternoon, I overheard a conversation among Disney cast members either speculating or knowing that Disney CEO Bob Iger was at the Boardwalk Resort.
So, as noted in the accompanying video, this got me thinking about what I would ask Mr. Iger if I happened to bump into him. Here are the six questions that came to mind.
First, Disney has made a big deal in recent days about pledging to invest $60 billion in parks and cruise lines over the coming decade, could you provide more specifics? What are we looking at in terms of numbers and projects at Walt Disney World, for example? “Frozen” at Disneyland and “Black Panther” have been mentioned in reports, can you give us more?
Second, with news and rumors swirling about offers being made to Disney for ABC and other Disney television networks, including Byron Allen’s reported $10 billion offer for ABC, FX and National Geographic, what’s the company’s thinking on a price target for such assets?
Third, can you give us some clarity on the future of ESPN and its move to full streaming?
Fourth, in light of the Disney deal with Charter Communication, how do you now envision the future of streaming, such as Disney+, as it relates to cable television? (See the recent DisneyBizJournal analysis).
Fifth, the quality of Marvel films has fallen off notably since Avengers: Endgame, or at best these films have become far more uneven. What is the plan going forward, and is Kevin Feige in danger of losing his job?
Sixth, some recent Disney movies pulled in a decent amount of revenue at the box office – such as The Little Mermaid, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Elemental – but runaway costs made these either box office losers or break-even propositions. What’s being done to get these costs under control?
And if I could slip one more question in, it would be: Given the controversy between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, it has been reported that you’ve said that you want to “quiet the noise” on these types of issues. How do you accomplish that given the reality of politics?
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com; and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, the Alliance of Saint Michael 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? (Keating is a Disney shareholder.)
Consider books by Ray Keating, including…
• The Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. There are 18 books in the series now.
• Order The Weekly Economist II: 52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist. Kindle editions and paperbacks via Amazon here and signed books here. And don’t forget the first book in this growing series, i.e., The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist at Amazon.com.
• Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel is at Amazon.
• The Lutheran Planner: The TO DO List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement, inspiration and consolation from the Christian faith.
• Signed editions of Ray’s books are at www.RayKeatingOnline.com.
Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.
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