Disney news covering streaming, parks, box office, ESPN and linear TV, Bob Iger strategy, and Disney's content and franchise business.
Disney agreed to a $50 million settlement in an antitrust lawsuit over forcing streaming platforms to bundle channels. Subscribers of YouTube TV or DirecTV between April 2019 and March 2026 may be eligible for a payout. Claims must be submitted by September 8, 2026.
Disney and Animaj released the first episodes of Ozzy Fox, an AI-animated children's series, on YouTube with little fanfare. The first two episodes have garnered over 750,000 views. The series features anthropomorphic foxes and uses songs to help kids with tasks like using the bathroom or doing chores.
This commentary argues that Disney's $350 million live-action 'Moana' underperformed due to audience fatigue from too many releases too soon, contrasting it with the more successful 'Lilo & Stitch' remake. It suggests the live-action remake formula is becoming less reliable and more costly for Disney.
Disney is auctioning 50 lots of rare park artifacts at D23, including a Big Thunder Mountain bench and MuppetVision 3D props. Past auctions saw high prices, like a Skyway gondola for $162,000.
Disney+ has ordered a pilot for a reboot of 'The Mickey Mouse Club' from Fulwell Entertainment. The pilot features 11 young performers including Hudson Stone and Casey Trotter, with production starting this month in Los Angeles.
This commentary argues that Disney's live-action remake of 'Moana' is a pointless, flat shot-for-shot replica of the 2016 original, driven primarily by profit. It contends that the film's heavy CGI feels awkward alongside live actors, and Dwayne Johnson's performance is lacklustre, though Catherine Laga'aia's Moana offers some warmth.