The Walt Disney Company


Disney to shutter 100 international channels in streaming push

The Walt Disney Company plans to close 100 international TV channels by the end of the year as it continues to shift its focus to its direct-to-consumer model and streaming service Disney+. Speaking at JPMorgan’s annual Global, Technology, Media & Telecommunications Conference this week, Mouse House CEO Bob Chapek revealed plans to switch off further […]

Disney plans $16bn content spend, 350m subs target & raft of new originals

The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to spend between $14-$16bn on content for its streamers, Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, by 2024, as it revealed it has already surpassed 137 million paid subscriptions across its DTC services. Disney aims to increase this to 300-350 million subscribers by 2024 and has also set a target of […]

Disney alum David Levine joins Moonbug as studio head

UK-based kids animation company Moonbug Entertainment has appointed former Walt Disney Company exec David Levine as its new head of studio. Levine, who most recently served as VP of kids programming for Disney Channels Europe & Africa, and UK & Ireland, has been tasked in his new role with driving the expansion of Moonbug’s IP […]

Disney’s Peter Rice unveils ‘big changes’ as general entertainment arm unveiled

Disney has unveiled the new structure of its General Entertainment Content (DGE) division, following the recent reorganisation of its media and entertainment businesses under Peter Rice. Disney CEO Bob Chapek last month set out a strategy to accelerate the Mouse House’s push towards direct-to-consumer following the launch of Disney+. DGE chairman Peter Rice has now […]

Disney ups Theresa Helmer to newly-created inclusivity role

The Walt Disney Company has promoted Theresa Helmer to a newly created senior leadership role to strengthen inclusive storytelling at the company. Helmer has been made executive director of integrated content strategy and development and in her new position will be responsible for accelerating racial and cultural diversity and inclusion in creative content for a […]

Kids round-up: Tencent Video becomes new Chinese home for ‘Shaun The Sheep’; Acamar Films makes key UK hires; ‘Dino Dana’ movie roars onto Canada’s Cineplex Store and more…

Tencent and Aardman do ‘Shaun The Sheep’ deal UK studio Aardman has signed a deal with Tencent Video to make the streaming platform the new home for Shaun The Sheep in China. The streamer will pick up all 170 x 7-minute episodes of the animated series, which is also carried by Netflix outside of China. […]

Disney shakes up African pay-TV channels operation

Disney is shaking up its channels operation in Africa following its acquisition of 21st Century Fox, and has handed an expanded remit to Fox Networks Group (FNG) Africa GM Evert van der Veer. According to TV With Thinus, which first reported the news, the exec will now head Disney’s media networks operation for Africa, managing […]

Disney creates unified streaming & int’l unit

The Walt Disney Company has restructured to create a worldwide division that will house international operations and its upcoming streaming services. Disney senior executive VP and chief strategy officer Kevin Mayer (pictured) has been named as the chairman of the new unit, Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International. The division will house Disney’s upcoming branded SVOD service, […]

Eddy Cue: Apple won’t buy Netflix or Disney

Consumer tech giant Apple will not buy Netflix or The Walt Disney Company, according to senior company exec Eddy Cue. Speaking at SXSW in Austin, Texas yesterday, Apple’s senior VP of internet software and services would not be “throwing things up against the wall” to establish its video strategy. Speculation Apple would look to buy […]

Jon Favreau creating Star Wars drama for Disney SVOD service

Producer-writer Jon Favreau is writing and executive producing a live-action Star Wars series for Disney’s upcoming global SVOD service. He will work with Star Wars studio Lucasfilm on the series, which is a number Disney is lining for the network. “I couldn’t be more excited about Jon coming on board to produce and write for […]