DIS Shareholders and Stock Info ONLY

[wabbott]

Reading this book now - very interesting find that answers some questions about how parks are run.

Three Years in Wonderland
The Disney Brothers, C. V. Wood, and the Making of the Great American Theme Park
By Todd James Pierce

https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/T/Three-Years-in-Wonderland

Pg 81: "One of the most interesting things Woody and Price discovered while visiting these parks concerned the importance of a line. It was Woody's observation that it didn't matter how good a ride was, if it didn't have a line, people wouldn't buy tickets for it. And so, as plans for Disneyland developed, Woody looked for ways to insure that every ride would most always have a line, even if that line was composed of just a few people. One of his suggestions was to open rides gradually, managing the number of customers they could accommodate each hour. For that Jungle River ride, maybe the park could run just two or three boats in the morning, when the park was empty, allowing the lines to build. As more customers entered the line, more boats could be added, keeping the line at about 150 people. Woody believed that 'the line' was magic: people attracted more people."

Any theories on why this phenomenon is? Is it that when you tell a customer he cannot have "instant gratification" that makes him want it even more? Remember the "car shortage" of a year or two ago? Drove people nuts - they paid way above sticker price just to have a 'place in line' for delivery. The same with the 'housing shortage.' That sent prices through the roof.

 

[wabbott]

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/n...ings-stock-jumps-10-11666123633?siteid=yhoof2

Netflix snaps streak of subscriber declines and beats on earnings, stock jumps 15%​

Last Updated: Oct. 18, 2022 at 4:11 p.m. ET First Published: Oct. 18, 2022 at 4:07 p.m. ET
By Jon Swartz, Jeremy C. Owens

Netflix adds 2.4 million new subscribers, doubling expectations ahead of launch of ad-supported tier​

Netflix Inc. added more than 2 million subscribers in the third quarter after stumbling into 2022 with two consecutive quarterly declines, a rebound that sent shares more than 15% higher in after-hours trading Tuesday.

Netflix NFLX, -1.73% reported a net gain of 2.41 million subscribers in the third quarter, while analysts on average were forecasting 1.1 million net additions, according to FactSet. That follows a decline of roughly 200,000 subscribers in the first quarter and nearly a million in the second quarter, which has led the company to plan massive changes, including a cheaper, ad-supported streaming tier set to arrive in the fourth quarter.

In a letter to shareholders, Netflix executives said they expect 4.5 million new subscribers to join in the fourth quarter, with revenue forecast to grow to $7.78 billion from $7.71 billion a year ago. Analysts on average were estimating revenue of $7.97 billion and a net subscriber gain of 4 million for the fourth quarter, according to FactSet.

“After a challenging first half, we believe we’re on a path to reaccelerate growth,” executives wrote in the letter.

The news sent Netflix shares up about 10% in after-hours trading following the release of the results, after closing with a 1.7% drop at $240.86. The stretch of subscriber declines has filleted Netflix shares, which have swooned 60% so far this year while the broader S&P 500 index SPX, +1.14% has declined 22.8%.

The streaming-video giant’s downturn after a pandemic-boosted surge has only intensified pressure from rival streaming services at Walt Disney Co. DIS, +1.18%, Apple Inc. AAPL, +0.94%, Amazon.com Inc. AMZN, +2.26%, Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. WBD, +4.55%, Comcast Corp. CMCSA, -0.23% and Paramount Global PARA, +1.56%.

A dramatic shift in the video-streaming climate, one in which Disney surpassed Netflix as market leader in July, has prompted a radical makeover at Netflix. Last week, the company announced its long-awaited advertising-supported tier, which debuts Nov. 3 in the U.S. for $6.99 a month. Another 11 countries, including Canada and Mexico, will get the service by Nov. 10. The company has also vowed a crackdown on shared accounts, and is pushing forward on gaming.

Netflix announced third-quarter earnings of $1.4 billion, or $3.10 a share, down from $3.16 a share a year ago. Netflix revenue improved to $7.93 billion in the quarter from $7.48 billion in the same period a year ago, but missed diminished expectations. Analysts polled by FactSet expected earnings of $2.14 a share on sales of $7.84 billion, estimates that had dipped in recent days.

Tuesday’s results follow some serious self-reflection among Netflix executives on how to stanch a decline in visits among subscribers that has led to cancellations. Co-CEO Reed Hastings has consulted with staff to find ways to make subscribers visit the platform more frequently, according to reports by The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg News.

 

[wabbott]

DIS up big after hours.

https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/DIS?p=DIS

100.90 +2.42 (+2.46%)
After hours: 4:31PM ED

 

[wabbott]

We here this week. What all y'all want me to tell Chapek when I see him?

https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/walt...at-walt-disney-world-for-a-global-retreat.htm

Posted: Tuesday October 18, 2022 8:30am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Leaders from the Walt Disney Company are arriving at Walt Disney World this week as part of a global retreat.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek, Disney Parks Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D'Amaro and executives from Walt Disney Imagineering are among those visiting the resort.

The Disney executives will be touring the property throughout the week, seeing everything new and upcoming.

While details of the visit remain private, future plans for the Walt Disney World resort will likely be on the agenda. The additions to Disney's Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom teased at D23 Expo are likely top of the list.

 

[RivShore]

We here this week. What all y'all want me to tell Chapek when I see him?

https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/walt...at-walt-disney-world-for-a-global-retreat.htm

Posted: Tuesday October 18, 2022 8:30am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Leaders from the Walt Disney Company are arriving at Walt Disney World this week as part of a global retreat.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek, Disney Parks Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D'Amaro and executives from Walt Disney Imagineering are among those visiting the resort.

The Disney executives will be touring the property throughout the week, seeing everything new and upcoming.

While details of the visit remain private, future plans for the Walt Disney World resort will likely be on the agenda. The additions to Disney's Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom teased at D23 Expo are likely top of the list.

We live nearby and a friend just said they saw Josh jogging from the bus. I asked if the bus heckled him

 

[DeeBee3]

Tell them we want annual passes. I just paid for my upcoming trip. Obviously jokes on me for paying!

 

[wabbott]

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-third-point-reinitiated-position-170655087.html

Here’s Why Third Point Reinitiated its Position in The Walt Disney Company (DIS)

Soumya Eswaran
Thu, October 20, 2022 at 1:06 PM

DIS -0.40%

Third Point, a New York-based investment advisor, released its third-quarter 2022 investor letter. A copy of the same can be downloaded here. In the third quarter, the Third Point Offshore Fund returned -3.2% compared to a -4.9% return for the S&P 500 Index and -6.1% return for the MSCI World Index. In addition, please check the fund’s top five holdings to know its best picks in 2022.

Third Point discussed stocks like The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) in the Q3 2022 investor letter. Based in Burbank, California, The Walt Disney Company (NYSEIS) is a global entertainment company. On October 18, 2022, The Walt Disney Company (NYSEIS) stock closed at $98.48 per share. One-month return of The Walt Disney Company (NYSEIS) was -5.75% and its shares lost 42.26% of their value over the last 52 weeks. The Walt Disney Company (NYSEIS) has a market capitalization of $179.535 billion.

Here is what Third Point specifically said about The Walt Disney Company (NYSEIS) in its Q3 2022 investor letter:

"As disclosed in our Q2 letter, we reinitiated a significant position in The Walt Disney Company (NYSEIS) when the company retested its Covid lows earlier this year. At the current price, Disney is trading for little more than the stand-alone value of its Parks business and a mere 15x ’24 “street” consensus. The company remains early in its Direct to Consumer (“DTC”) transition with a leading market position, and yet the current stock price ascribes negligible value to the streaming business. We believe this is due to questions around the terminal economics of streaming, given large losses being generated today at Disney (>$1 billion dollars last quarter) and stagnating margins at peers such as Netflix. On the last earnings call, management highlighted three items that could lead to an inflection in DTC profitability over the next 12 months: a 38% price increase for Disney+ in the US; moderating growth in cash content expense; and an advertising tier for Disney+ launching in two months that can drive additional ARPU given high demand for the Disney brand amongst advertisers.
While the company has guided to Disney+ achieving breakeven sometime within the fiscal year ending September 2024, the valuation suggests the market remains skeptical. Disney only trades at ~14x the $7 in earnings generated prior to the Fox acquisition, which implies investors don’t expect earnings to meaningfully exceed this figure in the coming years. Hence, the first value driver we highlighted in our last letter is the opportunity for management to optimize Disney’s cost base to drive earnings growth. We believe Disney has ample means to rationalize costs across its operating platform and deliver targeted content for home viewing that does not entail the same cost structure of exclusive theatrical releases…” (Click here to view the full text)

The Walt Disney Company (NYSEIS) is in 12th position on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 109 hedge fund portfolios held The Walt Disney Company (NYSEIS) at the end of the second quarter which was 113 in the previous quarter.

We discussed The Walt Disney Company (NYSEIS) in another article and shared the best fundamental stocks to buy. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q3 2022 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors.

 

[wabbott]

So did I miss picking up some DIS at the lows??

Yes. But then so did I.

https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/DIS?p=DIS
101.73+3.14 (+3.18%)
As of 02:43PM EDT. Market open.

 

[RivShore]

Yes. But then so did I.

https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/DIS?p=DIS
101.73+3.14 (+3.18%)
As of 02:43PM EDT. Market open.

I do expect some downward pressure on the market next week after this big up day. May have to jump in before earnings.

 

[wabbott]

https://www.fool.com/investing/2022...hoo-host&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=article

Netflix and Disney Investors Should Watch What YouTube Premium Is Doing
By Anders Bylund – Oct 22, 2022 at 1:13PM
Key Points

• YouTube Premium is increasing the price of family-style subscriptions by 28%.
• Meanwhile, Netflix and Disney are experimenting with more advertising instead of less.
• YouTube is going against the wind, and that looks like a good idea.

 

[wabbott]

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fran...ced-film-contract-negotiations-122209019.html

Fran Drescher: Scarlett Johansson ‘completely’ influenced film contract negotiations
Alexandra Canal · Senior Reporter
Mon, October 24, 2022 at 7:22 AM·5 min read
DIS -1.58%
NFLX -2.91%
WBD -2.82%

Fran Drescher is weighing in on Scarlett Johansson's highly publicized lawsuit against Disney (DIS).

The actress, producer and recently appointed SAG-AFTRA president joined Yahoo Finance's All Markets Summit to discuss fair actor pay amid the streaming boom and how she's approached her decisions as union president after first stepping into the role in September 2021.

"It is an interesting time — it was and remained so," Drescher said, revealing that her biggest challenge was trying to unite a dysfunctional union as the industry struggled to overcome pandemic-facing headwinds.

One of those top hurdles, in addition to the implementation of strict health and safety procedures, stemmed from various studios' decision to release box office-intended films onto streaming services.

Warner Bros. (WBD) was the first to adopt the hybrid release trend at the end of 2020, announcing that all of its 2021 films will have a day-and-date release on HBO Max, in addition to a cinematic rollout. The studio kept that promise throughout 2021 with top titles like "Dune" and "The Matrix: Resurrections" receiving the hybrid treatment.

Disney soon followed its competitor's strategy with Marvel's highly anticipated "Black Widow" prequel released on Disney+ on July 9, 2021 — the same day as theaters.

The decision caused Scarlett Johansson to sue the company over breach of contact. According to Johansson's team, her earnings potential was "largely" tied to box office performance, with Marvel promising the movie star that the film would receive a theatrical-only release.

The Wall Street Journal estimated that Johansson lost out on over $50 million due to the shift away from an exclusively theatrical release. Disney settled with the actress two months later for a reported $40 million.

Although studios have since reverted back to box office exclusives with shortened theatrical windows,
Johansson's lawsuit created a momentous ripple effect throughout Hollywood.

"With regards to Scarlett Johansson, I was shortly thereafter negotiating a movie deal and we handled the negotiations completely different in the event that the movie would go straight to streaming," Drescher said, revealing that her movie ultimately did end up skipping a theatrical release and, instead, debuted on Amazon Prime Video (AMZN).

As a result of her negotiations, influenced by Johansson, Drescher said she recently received a "big chunky check" for her work in the film.

'We were the underdogs in this equation'

SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher speaks during the SAG-AFTRA and NFL Players Association Celebrity brunch to launch the new "Actors & Athletes: Unions for Democracy" campaign in Beverly Hills, California, on July 17, 2022.

Since that time, SAG-AFTRA — which represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, recording artists, and other media professionals around the world — has worked hand-in-hand with streaming giants to re-negotiate contracts in order to account for the shifting media landscape.

"We just had a very successful negotiation with Netflix (NFLX)," Drescher noted. The contract, which included significant changes benefiting background performers, stunt coordinators and dubbing performers, allows actors more freedom and flexibility to pick up jobs on other platforms.

Drescher explained that, when talks first began, the union had suggested making incremental alterations to an existing contract — an approach that the actress passionately disagreed with.

"I saw a convergence of opportunities that would probably not come along for a very long time," she said, adding that talks needed to be leveraged with a great deal of strength and conviction; otherwise, the union would "forever be chasing after a different kind of a contract that's always just outside of our grasp."

The union struck a similar deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The agreement outlined major improvements to "exclusivity" rules, which had previously prevented television series regulars on accepting new jobs while on hiatus.

It's the journeyman actor, the middle class, that's always getting squeezed...Fran Drescher, SAG-AFTRA President

"We were very lucky that they heard us. They understood that we were the underdogs in this equation," Drescher said.

"The truth of the matter is that when an entire industry changes, and the rules of the game change on behalf of the employer, changes are going to have to trickle down to the employees as well. You can't have it both ways," she continued.

Drescher emphasized that SAG-AFTRA's negotiations largely focus on "the journeyman actor" as A-list stars like Tom Hanks and Scarlett Johansson often make their own deals.

"It's the journeyman actor, the middle class, that's always getting squeezed. That's really why unions exist — to protect and defend their rights," she stressed.

'The gift that keeps on giving'

Outside of SAG-AFTRA, Drescher — known for her role as Fran Fine in the popular CBS sitcom "The Nanny" — continues to work as an actress and producer.

When asked about a potential "Nanny" film reboot, the 65-year-old said she'd be game to reprise her beloved character on the big screen.

"It's in the talking stage — I would definitely be in. We'll see what happens," Drescher teased, adding that a Broadway musical based on the sitcom is currently in development.

"['The Nanny'] is the gift that keeps on giving," she beamed, crediting the show's new life on HBO Max, which has led to a new generation of "Nanny" fans. "For that, I'm very grateful."

 

[wabbott]

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-british-sci-fi-series-140015471.html

British sci-fi series 'Doctor Who' set to premiere globally on Disney+
Tue, October 25, 2022 at 9:00 AM
DIS +1.64%

Oct 25 (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co's streaming service, Disney+, said on Tuesday it would exclusively stream one of BBC's adored shows "Doctor Who" to audiences outside the U.K. and Ireland.

The collaboration between BBC and Disney Branded Television allows Disney to stream the British sci-fi series for audiences around the world, while BBC will continue to stream it exclusively for UK audiences.

The new episodes will premiere on BBC and Disney+ beginning in late 2023, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the series and will premiere exclusively on the BBC for the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The Doctor, who travels through time in what appears to be a blue police telephone box, has the ability to regenerate, allowing a number of actors to play the role since the series was first broadcast in 1963.

Ncuti Gatwa will replace Jodie Whittaker, who took on the role in 2017, becoming the first female regeneration of the Doctor. David Tennant is set to play the 14th Doctor for three specials before Gatwa takes over.

 

[wabbott]

https://www.laughingplace.com/w/new...ll-street-journals-tech-live-2022-conference/

Bob Chapek Will Participate in a Question and Answer Session at The Wall Street Journal’s Tech Live 2022 Conference
by Laughing Place Disney Newsdesk | Oct 25, 2022 8:57 am (Pacific)

Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, Bob Chapek will be participating in a question-and-answer session tomorrow, Wednesday, October 26th at approximately 2:25 p.m. ET / 11:25 a.m. PT.

What's Happening:

• Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, will participate in a question-and-answer session with Matt Murray, Editor in Chief of The Wall Street Journal, at the WSJ Tech Live 2022 conference on Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 at approximately 2:25 p.m. ET / 11:25 a.m. PT.
• They will discuss the company's investments in streaming, plans for the metaverse, corporate leadership and growing innovation at Disney's theme parks.
• You can find this session by clicking here.

 

[RivShore]

You can watch live here:

 

[wabbott]

https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2022/10/26/bob-chapek-wsj-tech-live-conference-live-blog/

blog of comments

 

[wabbott]

https://www.reuters.com/business/me...-woke-says-it-will-cater-audience-2022-10-26/

October 26, 20222:03 PM CDTLast Updated 6 min ago
Disney CEO, asked if company is 'too woke,' says it will cater to audience

https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/walt...tial-part-of-disneys-theme-parks-business.htm

Disney CEO Bob Chapek reiterates his belief that park reservations are now an essential part of Disney's theme parks business

 

[DL1WDW2]

That was inspiring.
I love that he said Walt set the World-on fire with technological changes and Disney still needs to do that .

Less than 1/100th of a percent of companies can say they have been around 100 years.
Think about that for just 1/100th of a minute right now! Wow

Thank You Walt !

 

[RivShore]

I think that was one of his better interviews as far as his presentation. I did like his explanation for park reservations, hard to argue with the logic of it. I do wish the interviewer pushed for real answers on a couple things like the political questions.

 

[wabbott]

https://deadline.com/2022/10/disney-ceo-bob-chapek-streaming-theme-parks-florida-woke-1235155386/

Disney CEO Bob Chapek Outlines Vision Of Blending Streaming With Theme Parks, Responds To “Wokeness” Charges, Reflects On Lessons From Florida Gauntlet

By Dade Haynes
10/26/22

https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/disney-no-content-acquisitions-ceo-bob-chapek-1235415074/

Disney Is Not Looking to Acquire Any Content Companies, CEO Bob Chapek Says

 

[wabbott]

https://www.****************/bob-ch...igh-prices-says-park-wont-be-overcrowded-ks1/

Bob Chapek Addresses Disney’s High Prices, Says Park Won’t Be Overcrowded
Posted by: Krysten Swensen October 26, 2022

https://www.disneytouristblog.com/c...ce-increases-demand-reservations-reedy-creek/

Chapek Addresses Disney Fan Outrage, Demand, Price Increases, Reservations & Reedy Creek