Disney notes - institution (case study)

 key Disney acquisitions

1. 1993 --> bought miramax (independent film company) for $60 million, sold in 2010 for $660 million

2. 1995 --> bought capital cities for $19 billion

capital cities bought --> abc which was already the major owner of --> espn

so capital cities owner of both therefore when disney bought they acquired all

3. 2001 --> bought fox family for $2.9 billion

fox family renamed --> abc family which renamed to --> freeform

4. 2004 --> bought the rights to the muppets for around $78 million

5. 2006 --> bought pixar for $7.4 billion

6. 2009 --> bought marvel for $4 billion

would recieve the rights to more than 5000 characters

spiderman, fantastic four and x-men were already sold by marvel

7. 2012 --> bought Lucasfilm for $4 billion

lucasfilm owner of star wars franchise

8. 2019 --> bought fox for $71.3 billion

largest acquisitions Disney has made

the x men and fanatstic four are apart of this deal meaning disney now has ownership of their rights which was missed out in the marvel acquisition

bought as interest in streaming --> more people are staying home than going to the cinema

gives them major ownership in hulu

provides them content for disney+

theme parks generate an avenue of $20.3 billion which is twice as much as there studio revenue

Since the 1980s, Disney has created and acquired corporate divisions in order to market more mature content than is typically associated with its flagship family-oriented brands. The company is known for its film studio division, Walt Disney Studios, which includes Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, 20th Century Animation, and Searchlight Pictures. Disney's other main business units include divisions in television, broadcasting, streaming media, theme park resorts, consumer products, publishing, and international operations. Through these various segments, Disney owns and operates the ABC broadcast network; cable television networks such as Disney Channel, ESPN, Freeform, FX, and National Geographic; publishing, merchandising, music, and theater divisions; direct-to-consumer streaming services such as Disney+, Star+, ESPN+, Hulu, and Hotstar; and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, a group of 14 theme parks, resort hotels, and cruise lines around the world. 

market share as of 2021: 25.5%

Disney's reach:

• nearly 130 million subscribers on Disney+
• Disney’s 12 parks spread worldwide are the most visited theme parks in the world. Disney World alone brings in more than 58 million people annually.
• has already begun to show in the Oscars for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, with Disney’s animated films taking the prize more than any other studio, a staggering amount considering the 200 animation studios around the world

issues that may arise from Disney's Monopoly:

• recent acquisition --> in 2019, Disney acquired Blue Sky Studios (known for Rio and Ice Age franchises)
• shut down the studio in February 2021 which people feared would have consequences on the animation industry

• the closer Disney comes to an industry monopoly the more threatened new, original stories and the quality of entertainment is
• the film/animation industry thrives on creative DIVERSITY to thrive
• monopoly creates UNIFORMITY
• Disney has released fewer and fewer movies over time and seems to really be focusing on live action remakes and sequels at the moment --> there is no originality
• Disney has a homogenous art style which prevents diversity in art
• as Disney could buy out their competition; there lacks any real threat therefore meaning Disney doesn't need to produce as many films or take any creative risks --> something this industry thrives on
• if Disney continues on this path, interest from the public in other companies will start to fray and disappear due to their expanding influence and popularity