On March 15, during the Academy Awards on ABC, Disney Cruise Line premiered an emotional and uplifting new ad campaign showing how even the simplest moments on a Disney vacation can grow into lifelong memories and treasured family traditions.

The spot, dubbed “Midnight Magic,” follows a father and son as they share a quiet ritual aboard a Disney ship, tracing their relationship across the years, from childhood to adulthood and into grandparenthood.

Fair warning: keep a tissue handy because it’s a tear-jerker (in all the best ways).

“Disney has brought families closer together for generations,” said Asad Ayaz, Chief Marketing and Brand Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “This campaign embodies what guests tell us time and again: that the Disney experiences they cherish most are the ones spent with the people they love. We’re grateful to make that kind of Disney magic a reality.”

The creative team behind this short film drew inspiration from how Disney creates moments of real connection, sometimes in moments of grandeur and sometimes in the quiet moments they share as a family. In the ad’s story, those quieter moments take place during a nighttime stroll on a Disney cruise, when the ship feels like yours alone.

The campaign highlights Disney’s unique ability to touch lives, build meaningful connections and create happiness—not just through attractions, shows and amenities, but in the time spent with each other. The idea of a Disney cruise becoming a family tradition came straight from longtime fans and repeat guests.

The spot arrives during an exciting period of growth for Disney Cruise Line. Five new ships are planned by 2031, bringing the fleet to a total of 13 ships worldwide. That expansion includes the recent launch of Disney Destiny in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the debut of Disney Adventure in Singapore earlier this month as the cruise line’s first ship in Asia.

Along with more departure ports around the globe to destinations spanning the Caribbean, The Bahamas, Europe, Alaska and beyond, this ongoing expansion is enabling Disney Cruise Line to welcome more families than ever before.

For more information about how to book a Disney Cruise Line vacation, guests can visit DisneyCruise.com.

Paul Roeder has been named Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer of The Walt Disney Company, effective March 19, it was announced today by incoming Chief Executive Officer Josh D’Amaro. A 25-year veteran of Disney, Roeder most recently served as Executive Vice President, Communications – Disney Entertainment Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and International.

As Chief Communications Officer, Roeder will report directly to D’Amaro and will be responsible for leading Disney’s worldwide communications and public relations strategy and operations and will serve as its lead spokesperson. With oversight of enterprise and business segment communications, as well as regional communications teams in EMEA, APAC, and Latin America, his responsibilities include media relations, executive communications, enterprise editorial strategy, internal communications and employee engagement, public affairs, and corporate social responsibility.

“Paul Roeder is an accomplished and highly respected executive with keen instincts and integrity, and he has built strong relationships in every area of the company and across the entertainment industry during his 25 years with Disney,” said D’Amaro. “He has a passion for Disney and a deep understanding of what it stands for, and I know he’ll do an outstanding job leading our exceptional Communications teams worldwide.”

“Disney is a place I love dearly, and it is a tremendous honor to take on this role at such an exciting and pivotal time for the company,” said Roeder. “I have huge respect for Josh D’Amaro, Dana Walden, and the entire executive team – as well as my talented Communications colleagues – and I’m incredibly optimistic about what we’ll be able to accomplish together. I’m deeply grateful to Josh for this wonderful opportunity, to Alan Bergman for his mentorship and support over the 15 years I’ve served him at The Walt Disney Studios, and to Bob Iger for the encouragement and insight he has so generously offered throughout my career at Disney.”

Named to lead communications for Disney Entertainment – Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and International in 2023, Roeder oversaw the development and implementation of global communications strategies for The Walt Disney Studios and its collection of world-renowned production studios, including Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures; Disney Theatrical Group; and Disney Music Group. He also led the communications teams for Disney Entertainment’s Direct-to-Consumer group as well as Disney Entertainment and ESPN’s Product and Technology, Platform Distribution, and International divisions, and The Walt Disney Company’s Office of Technology Enablement. His deep company knowledge and expertise have also been pivotal in building strong reputation-management tactics at the corporate level.

Roeder has led communications for The Walt Disney Studios since 2010, serving as a key member of its executive team throughout the acquisitions and integrations of Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox in 2012 and 2019, respectively; the 2019 launch of Disney+; and the release of some of the biggest films of all time, including Avatar: The Way of Water, Avengers: Endgame, Black Panther, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Frozen, and Inside Out 2, among many others.

Previously, Roeder served in roles of increasing responsibility in Corporate Communications for The Walt Disney Company from 2002-2010, after joining Disney’s ABC communications team in 2001. He began his career in the entertainment industry serving in various roles at William Morris and later as an assistant to the executive producer on the comedy tentpole Meet the Parents. Roeder is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from De Pauw University.

Thomas Mazloum Named Chairman, Disney Experiences

Disney Experiences announced today a series of leadership appointments, underscoring the strength and versatility of its leadership team. “We’re in an unprecedented period of growth for Disney Experiences,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences and incoming Chief Executive Officer of the Walt Disney Company. “This team will propel the world-class experiences Disney is known for to more guests across the globe.”

Thomas Mazloum succeeds Josh D’Amaro as Chairman, Disney Experiences, leading a diverse portfolio of global businesses including Disney’s theme parks, cruise ships, resort hotels, expeditions and adventures, consumer products, and Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative engine behind Disney’s experiences portfolio.

Mazloum brings deep operational knowledge of Disney Experiences, a strong record of international leadership, and a long-standing commitment to Disney’s cast members and creative culture. With the guest experience at the center of everything, he will lead the business into its next chapter as it continues to grow and evolve globally.

Before joining Disney, Mazloum built a strong foundation in European luxury hospitality, gaining extensive experience across high‑end hotels in food & beverage, guest services, and hotel operations. He later served as Chief Operating Officer of Crystal Cruise Line, where he was known for driving service excellence, transforming organizational cultures, and successfully launching new travel ventures.

As part of his Disney career, Mazloum held senior leadership roles at Walt Disney World Resort before being named President, Disney Signature Experiences. In that role, he developed a long‑term strategic growth plan that included doubling the size of the Disney Cruise Line fleet. With the recent launch of Disney Adventure in Singapore — the cruise line’s eighth ship and its first homeported in Asia — the business expanded into new growth markets and reached the next generation of fans.

Most recently, as President, Disneyland Resort, Mazloum oversaw two theme parks, three hotels, and the Downtown Disney District during the Resort’s 70th anniversary celebration.

“Thomas Mazloum is an exceptional leader with a genuine appreciation for our cast members and a proven track record of delivering growth,” said D’Amaro. “His focus on service excellence, broad international leadership, and strong connection to the creativity that brings our stories to life make him the right leader to guide Disney Experiences into its next chapter.”

Disney Experiences also announced the following changes to its leadership team, with all roles reporting to Mazloum:

• Jill Estorino — President, Disneyland Resort
• Tasia Filippatos — President, Disney Parks International
• Lisa Baldzicki — President, Disney Consumer Products

Jill Estorino has been named President, Disneyland Resort, where she will continue to elevate the guest and cast experience at the company’s original, iconic destination.

Over her 35-year career, Estorino held numerous leadership roles, including Executive Vice President of Global Marketing and Sales for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, where she played a key role in the grand opening of Shanghai Disney Resort. Most recently, as President of Disney Parks International, Estorino oversaw the operations, expansion and development of Disney’s international parks and resorts, including Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disney Resort and Tokyo Disney Resort with the Oriental Land Company. Estorino successfully expanded Disney’s global footprint at sites around the world, reaching new consumers and fans from around the world. Since her appointment, Disney’s international parks have seen strong performance and growth.

In her new role as Disneyland Resort President, Estorino brings a global perspective shaped by decades of leadership across Disney’s diverse portfolio of experiences. As a strong business and marketing strategist, she focuses on brand stewardship, exceptional guest experiences, and a deeply connected cast culture. Estorino will guide the resort through its next phase of growth while continuing to foster the culture and community that has defined Disneyland.

Tasia Filippatos is appointed President, Disney Parks International, overseeing the growth and evolution of Disney’s parks outside the United States.

Most recently, Filippatos served as President of Disney Consumer Products, guiding the business through a period of transformation fueled by innovation-led growth. Her leadership included a global portfolio spanning products, Parks merchandise, retail, publishing and games while translating iconic storytelling into scaled consumer experiences through premier brand partnerships worldwide.

In her new role as President of Disney Parks International, Filippatos brings a proven track record of leading complex global businesses at scale across diverse international markets. A visionary leader at the forefront of creativity and innovation, she will oversee the operations, expansion, and development of Disney’s international parks — including Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Resort in partnership with Oriental Land Company, and our newest park coming to Abu Dhabi in partnership with Miral.

Lisa Baldzicki is promoted to President, Disney Consumer Products, where she will continue to build on the great momentum and evolution of our global consumer products business.

Baldzicki was most recently head of Parks Product Development & Retail for Disney Consumer Products, where she defined the vision and business strategy for retail product and integrated experiences across Disney’s domestic parks. She brought a consumer-led merchandising perspective to the role, shaping strategies that drive how guests engage with products and brands before, during, and after purchase.

In her new role as President, Disney Consumer Products, she will lead the continued evolution of the global retail division of The Walt Disney Company. The division includes the world’s largest licensing business with a presence across more than 100 product categories and a global reach spanning over 180 countries.

“As we look ahead, I have tremendous confidence in Thomas and in the leaders stepping into these roles — Jill, Tasia, and Lisa — along with the incredible leadership team across Disney Experiences,” said D’Amaro. “Together, they will continue to build on our momentum around the world, delivering the service, creativity and one-of-a-kind experiences that define Disney.”

Transitions will get under way in the next few weeks, with all roles effective March 18, 2026.

Following Sunday’s Super Bowl LX, ESPN and Disney unveiled “We’re Going,” a high-energy, fast-paced, cameo-filled marketing campaign for ESPN’s inaugural Super Bowl, set for February 2027. The spot, which debuted on Good Morning America Monday, reimagines the “I’m Going to Disney World” Super Bowl tradition through a modern lens, bringing together more than 60 iconic characters from across the worlds of Disney, all in their familiar worlds and settings, united by a single destination: Super Bowl LXI.

Buzz Lightyear and Woody kick off the cascade of Disney appearances, setting the tone for a rapid-fire series of cameos that includes Darth Vader; Iron Man; Frozen’s Anna, Elsa, Sven, Olaf and Kristoff; Moana; Deadpool & Wolverine; Grogu; Stitch; The Muppets; Zootopia’s Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde; Bart Simpson; and R2 D2 and C-3PO, among many others. Maui from Moana appears in the final scene, transforming into an eagle as he joins Lightning McQueen and a host of Disney characters together on the road to Los Angeles.

Joe Buck and Troy Aikman — who will call their seventh Super Bowl together in 2027 — are featured in their broadcast booth. ESPN’s Jason Kelce, and Peyton and Eli Manning also all make appearances.

The creative concept is more than 40 years in the making, drawing inspiration from the legendary “I’m going to Disney World” phrase famously declared by Super Bowl champions moments after winning America’s biggest game. The tradition began in 1987 when former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms first delivered the now iconic line after being named Super Bowl XXI Most Valuable Player. Over the ensuing decades, the phrase became a defining element of Super Bowl celebrations — and now serves as the creative foundation for ESPN’s first Super Bowl marketing campaign.

“Few phrases are as instantly recognizable in sports as ‘I’m going to Disney World,’” said Asad Ayaz, Chief Marketing and Brand Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “This campaign brings together the scale of ESPN, the global power of Disney’s brands and characters, and the excitement of the Super Bowl to create a shared moment that signals just how big this milestone is for our company and fans.”

Added Tina Thornton, Executive Vice President, Creative Studio and Marketing at ESPN: “‘We’re Going’ is just the beginning of a year-long adventure to our first Super Bowl. It sets the tone for how we’re approaching Super Bowl LXI — by bringing together the storytelling power of Disney with the scale, voice, and passion of ESPN. Together, it allows us to build momentum, create emotional connection, and bring fans with us every step of the way.”

In addition to the creative campaign, ESPN is currently airing a 24-hour, multi-platform event dubbed “The Handoff,” which began at SoFi Stadium — host of Super Bowl LXI — and continues today at Disneyland Park.

Together, “We’re Going” and “The Handoff” represent the opening chapter of ESPN’s broader Super Bowl initiative, with additional details to be announced in the coming days.

Chase and Disney today announced the launch of the Disney® Inspire Visa® Card ($149 Annual Fee), expanding the current lineup of Disney® Visa® and Disney® Premier Visa® Cards. Together, Chase and Disney provide Cardmembers with exclusive benefits and rewards that elevate their Disney experiences.

The Disney Inspire Visa Card unlocks value and rewards for Cardmembers with:

• Exclusive annual benefits:
  • 200 Disney Rewards Dollars after spending $2,000 per anniversary year on U.S. Disney Resort stays and Disney Cruise Line bookings
  • $100 statement credit after spending $200 per anniversary year on U.S. Disney Theme Park Tickets
  • Up to $120 annual credit on Disney+, Hulu, and Plus.ESPN.com purchases
• Ways to earn Disney Rewards Dollars:
  • 10% at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, and Plus.ESPN.com
  • 3% at most other U.S. Disney locations and gas stations
  • 2% at grocery stores and restaurants
  • 1% on all other card purchases

Cardmembers can turn everyday purchases into lasting memories by earning Disney Rewards Dollars to redeem toward Disney vacations and more:

• Disney Theme Park Tickets, resort stays, shopping, and dining in the U.S.
• Disney Cruise Line packages, onboard activities, and souvenirs
• Purchases at DisneyStore.com
• The latest Disney movies at AMC Theatres
• Airline purchases using Pay Yourself Back® for statement credits

The launch offer includes a $300 Disney Gift Card eGift for new Cardmembers upon approval and a $300 statement credit after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Disney Inspire Visa Cardmembers can choose from five exclusive card designs, featuring beloved characters such as Mickey Mouse and Stitch. Cardmembers will also have the option to choose from 11 additional designs that are available to Disney Visa and Disney Premier Visa Cardmembers.

“We’re proud to provide Disney fans with valuable rewards and benefits that enhance their experiences, whether they’re streaming Disney content, visiting the parks, or planning future vacations,” said Chris Cracchiolo, President of Co-Brand Credit Cards at Chase. “Our collaboration with Disney enables us to deliver meaningful solutions and added value to our Cardmembers, and we appreciate the opportunity to work alongside such an iconic company.”

“We’re thrilled to debut the Disney Inspire Visa Card so Cardmembers can create even more magical Disney memories,” said Cathy Cline, Senior Vice President of Corporate Alliances and Consumer Financial Services at The Walt Disney Company. “From exclusive card designs, to more ways to earn Disney Rewards Dollars, this card is sure to be a Disney fan’s go-to card in their wallet.”

Additional Disney Inspire Visa Cardmember benefits include:

• 0% promotional APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages
• 10% off select purchases at DisneyStore.com
• Cardmember-exclusive character photo opportunities at the Walt Disney World® Resort and the Disneyland® Resort
• 10% off select merchandise purchases at select locations at Walt Disney World® Resort and the Disneyland® Resort
• 10% off select dining locations most days at Walt Disney World® Resort and the Disneyland® Resort
• 15% off the non-discounted price of select guided tours at Walt Disney World® Resort and the Disneyland® Resort
• 10% off the non-discounted price of select recreation experiences at Walt Disney World® Resort
• Savings aboard Disney Cruise Line for select onboard purchases
• Pay Yourself Back® to redeem Disney Rewards Dollars for a statement credit on qualifying Disney and airline purchases
• No foreign transaction fees

For more information about the new Disney Inspire Visa Card and to apply, please visit Disneyrewards.com/Inspire. Cards issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval. Offer subject to change. Terms apply.

The Walt Disney Company reported its FY26 first quarter results on Monday with CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston focusing on the company’s recent accomplishments.

“We are pleased with our start to fiscal 2026, and our achievements reflect the tremendous progress we have made,” Iger and Johnston said in an executive commentary on Monday.

There were several key achievements, according to Iger and Johnston, including Disney’s studios releasing two films (Zootopia 2 in November and Avatar: Fire and Ash in December) that each surpassed $1 billion at the global box office. The company’s streaming services were also a highlight, underscoring the strength of Disney’s content and continued improvements to the user experience. In addition, ESPN demonstrated its leadership as the preeminent destination for sports with strong ratings in the quarter, and Disney’s Experiences segment has expansion projects underway at every one of the company’s theme parks.

“These achievements reflect the progress we’ve made over the past three years to fortify the company, position our businesses for future growth over the long-term, and set Disney on a path for continued success,” the two said.

Film & Television

Disney’s film studios generated more than $6.5 billion at the global box office in calendar year 2025, making this its third biggest year ever and its ninth year as No. 1 at the global box office in the last 10 years, Iger and Johnston noted.

“To date, 37 billion-dollar films have come from our studios out of the 60 films that have hit this mark industrywide, and we have four times as many as any other studio,” Iger and Johnston said.

Iger and Johnston pointed out that the “box office success of our branded IP also generates value across our interconnected businesses, with hits like Zootopia 2 lifting viewership of related titles on Disney+ and fueling global interest in our parks and consumer products.”

“Zootopia 2 is the highest grossing Hollywood film of all time in China, earning more than $630 million at the box office so far,” they said. “This franchise is also an important driver of attendance at Shanghai Disneyland with our Zootopia-themed land – one of the most popular areas of the park.”

Disney’s creative successes extend beyond the big screen, however. Seven of the top ten most-watched shows of 2025 streamed on Disney+ or Hulu, as reported by Nielsen[1], and Bluey was the most-streamed show in the U.S. for the second year in a row, with 45 billion minutes watched[2]. ABC also had the top six shows for Adults 18-49 in calendar year 2025, including High Potential, Abbott Elementary, and Dancing with the Stars.

Streaming

“With audience and critical favorites across film and television, combined with our leading portfolio of sports offerings and award-winning news programming, we offer consumers a powerful streaming proposition,” Iger and Johnston said.

The two went on to say that the company is focused on “the international growth opportunity for our streaming services and are seeing encouraging results from our investment in local content.”

Iger and Johnston also noted that Disney is rolling out numerous product enhancements to elevate the user experience on Disney+.

“Ongoing experimentation remains central to how we innovate, and we expect new ad tech capabilities such as our AI-powered planning tool and video generator to improve advertiser engagement,” they said. “We’re also layering in additional ways to engage audiences by developing new vertical and shortform experiences, and we plan to introduce a curated slate of Sora-generated content on Disney+ following our recently announced licensing agreement with OpenAI.”

They continued, “together, these efforts are shaping a more personalized streaming experience and positioning us to deliver greater value to consumers.”

Sports

As for Sports, ESPN remains the industry leader, offering fans a compelling portfolio of live sports, studio shows, and original content, and multiple ways for them to watch. ESPN led the industry by capturing more than 30% of all sports viewership across networks, including ESPN on ABC, and marquee events delivered strong ratings throughout the first quarter.

Highlights from the quarter include ESPN Networks delivered their most-watched college football regular season since 2011 and ABC achieved its best college football season since 2006, with the College Football National Championship reaching 30.1 million viewers and becoming the second most-viewed cable event ever. In addition, Monday Night Football delivered its second-highest viewership in 20 years, with the Disney’s NFL Divisional game drawing 38 million viewers – the most-watched event in company history.

“We continue to strengthen our rights portfolio while maintaining a disciplined approach,” Iger and Johnston said. “Our recently announced three-year MLB agreement exemplifies this strategy, expanding our rights footprint and making ESPN the exclusive distributor of MLB.TV. And on January 31, we closed our transaction with the NFL to acquire NFL Network and other media assets, including the linear rights to the popular NFL RedZone channel, further bolstering ESPN’s offering with a rich content experience for football fans.”

The two added, “the launch of ESPN Unlimited marked an important step in our direct-to-consumer evolution, and while still early days, we are pleased with the adoption and engagement with new app features. We are encouraged by ESPN app authentication from pay-TV subscribers, the pace of new signups, and the engagement patterns that have followed.”

Experiences

Discussing Disney’s Experiences segment, Iger and Johnson noted “our efforts to turbocharge this segment are well underway, and we are excited about continued progress on a robust pipeline of projects to support long-term growth.”

The two said next month Disney will welcome guests to the new World of Frozen at the completely reimagined Disney Adventure World at Disneyland Paris.

“This milestone marks the beginning of a bold new era for Disneyland Paris, nearly doubling the size of the second park and showcasing Disney’s unique ability to bring our stories to life in the physical world,” they said. “Additionally, we are continuously expanding storytelling in our parks, with new experiences featuring Bluey, activations planned around the release of Toy Story 5, and a new mission featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu inside Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run coming soon.”

As for Disney Cruise Line, Disney recently launched the Disney Destiny, which has received rave reviews from guests since its maiden voyage on November 20.

In addition, the Disney Adventure, the company’s first ship homeported in Asia, is on its way to Singapore for its maiden voyage on March 10, bringing immersive Disney storytelling to more people globally than ever before.

This will bring Disney’s fleet to a total of eight cruise ships, with another five scheduled for launch beyond fiscal 2026, according to Iger and Johnston.

Wrap Up

Iger and Johnston concluded their executive commentary by saying that this quarter underscores Disney’s disciplined execution and strong strategic investments.

“Overall, this quarter reflects our focused execution and investment across each of our strategic priorities and stands on the solid foundation we’ve built over the past three years, providing us with a path for long-term growth,” the two said.

[1] https://www.nielsen.com/data-center/top-streaming-shows-artey-awards/

[2] https://www.nielsen.com/news-center/2026/nielsen-announces-2025-artey-award-winners-following-record-breaking-year-of-streaming/

The information above should be read together with Disney’s Q1 FY 26 Earnings Report, Form 10-Q, prepared earnings remarks (executive commentary), and earnings call (all available here), which discuss additional information, including additional challenges and risks the company’s businesses face and additional information about Q1 performance.

Benjamin Swinburne has been named Executive Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy for The Walt Disney Company, it was announced today by Hugh F. Johnston, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Swinburne will join Disney in the near future and report directly to Johnston. He has most recently served as Managing Director and Head of US Media Research at Morgan Stanley.

“Ben has been one of the industry’s most respected media analysts and brings deep insight into the evolving global entertainment landscape,” said Johnston. “His analytical rigor, strategic perspective, and long-standing knowledge of our business and broader industry make him an exceptional addition to our team as we continue to execute against our long‑term vision and deliver sustained value for our shareholders.”

In this new role, Swinburne will lead Disney’s investor relations function, communicating the company’s financial performance and long‑term strategic vision to institutional investors and retail shareholders, sell-side analysts and other key stakeholders. He will also oversee the company’s long-term strategic planning and market analysis in his corporate strategy role, identifying growth opportunities based on industry trends and evolving entertainment consumption.

“Having spent much of my career analyzing Disney’s performance and long‑term opportunities, I have a deep appreciation for the company’s creative strengths, operational discipline, and consistent focus on delivering value for shareholders,” said Swinburne. “It is an incredibly exciting time to be joining the company, and I look forward to working with the team to continue the incredible progress they have made to position Disney for future growth.”

As Managing Director, Head of US Media and Telecom & Cable Services Research at Morgan Stanley, Swinburne led the equity research coverage of the media and entertainment, advertising, and telecom and cable services industries, areas he has followed for over two decades. He has been consistently ranked among the leading analysts in multiple sectors in a variety of investor polls, including a 2021 induction into the Institutional Investor All-America Research Team Hall of Fame. He joined Morgan Stanley as a research analyst in 1999. Swinburne earned a bachelor’s degree in public policy with a concentration in finance from Washington and Lee University and a master’s degree in accounting from Babson College.

Kathleen Kennedy to Step Down as Lucasfilm President and Return to Full-Time Producing

Dave Filoni to Lead Lucasfilm as President and Chief Creative Officer Alongside Lynwen Brennan as Co-President

The Walt Disney Studios announced today that, after nearly 14 years of leading Lucasfilm, President Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down from her role and will transition back to full-time producing, including the studio’s upcoming feature films The Mandalorian and Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter. Going forward, Dave Filoni will take on creative leadership of Lucasfilm as President and Chief Creative Officer, Lucasfilm, and Lynwen Brennan will serve as Co-President, Lucasfilm, with each having held senior executive roles at the studio for more than 15 years. The two will report to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, and their close collaboration will carry Lucasfilm into its next chapter of storytelling, with a strong foundation of creative vision and operational leadership guiding the studio forward.

“When we acquired Lucasfilm more than a decade ago, we knew we were bringing into the Disney family not only one of the most beloved and enduring storytelling universes ever created, but also a team of extraordinary talent led by a visionary filmmaker – someone who had been handpicked by George Lucas himself, no less,” said Bob Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “We’re deeply grateful for Kathleen Kennedy’s leadership, her vision, and her stewardship of such an iconic studio and brand.”

“Kathleen Kennedy has been a tremendous force in the industry for 50 years, and it’s been our privilege to have her here at Disney leading Lucasfilm for nearly 14 of them,” said Bergman. “She has steered Star Wars to incredible box office heights and brought a new generation of fans into the fold. We appreciate having her on board to produce our next couple of films, and the studio remains in extraordinarily capable hands with Dave Filoni, who’s a brilliant storyteller, and Lynwen Brennan, an avid innovator and business leader. They are deeply passionate and experienced executives who will continue to drive the studio and Star Wars forward in exciting new directions.”

“When George Lucas asked me to take over Lucasfilm upon his retirement, I couldn’t have imagined what lay ahead,” said Kennedy. “It has been a true privilege to spend more than a decade working alongside the extraordinary talent at Lucasfilm. Their creativity and dedication have been an inspiration, and I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together. I’m excited to continue developing films and television with both longtime collaborators and fresh voices who represent the future of storytelling.”

“My love of storytelling was shaped by the films of Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas,” said Filoni. “I never dreamed I would be privileged to learn the craft of filmmaking from both of them. From Rey to Grogu, Kathy has overseen the greatest expansion in Star Wars storytelling onscreen that we have ever seen. I am incredibly grateful to Kathy, George, Bob Iger, and Alan Bergman for their trust and the opportunity to lead Lucasfilm in this new role, doing a job I truly love. May the Force be with you.”

“Lucasfilm has played such a meaningful part in my life,” said Brennan. “It’s a community of inspiring storytellers with a rebel spirit like no other, and I am honored to join Dave Filoni in leading us forward. I have been so fortunate to learn from George Lucas, Kathy Kennedy, and Alan Bergman and have unwavering faith in Dave’s creative vision for the next chapter in this storied studio’s legacy.”

Filoni joined Lucasfilm in 2005 and has played a pivotal role in shaping the creative direction of the Star Wars universe. Working closely with George Lucas, Filoni was instrumental in establishing the company’s animation studio and has since expanded the franchise into new and compelling territory. His storytelling contributions span acclaimed series such as Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Rebels, and The Mandalorian, earning multiple Emmy Awards and nominations. Filoni currently serves as showrunner for Ahsoka, now in production for its second season, and is teaming with Jon Favreau on The Mandalorian and Grogu.

Brennan has been with Lucasfilm since 1999, beginning at Industrial Light & Magic where she rose through the ranks to become its leader in 2009. She was appointed General Manager of Lucasfilm in 2015 and President & General Manager of Lucasfilm Business in 2024. During her tenure, she has guided the company through transformative technological shifts with a clear strategic vision and a commitment to innovation, and her industry leadership has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Visual Effects Society and the honor of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Since being named head of Lucasfilm in 2012, Kennedy has guided a new era of storytelling, expanding Star Wars and Indiana Jones while championing bold creative directions and exciting new voices. She oversaw the record-shattering release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the first in a new trilogy of billion-dollar Skywalker Saga films, as well as Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which also grossed over $1 billion worldwide and led to the creation of the Emmy-winning Andor series. She also led Lucasfilm’s foray into live-action Star Wars series, including three seasons of The Mandalorian as well as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka, and others, alongside popular animated shows such as Star Wars: The Bad Batch and Star Wars: Visions. Kennedy is currently producing the feature film The Mandalorian and Grogu and director Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter, set for theatrical release in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

As Kennedy transitions back to producing, broadening her portfolio with new collaborations across genres and platforms, she builds on a remarkable 50-year career as one of the most accomplished producers in film history. As co-founder of Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall, she helped bring to life iconic films including E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, Schindler’s List, The Sixth Sense, and Lincoln. Her 70+ films have earned 25 Academy Awards® among more than 120 nominations, along with billions at the global box office. She was honored with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ coveted Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 2018 and the Producers Guild of America’s Milestone Award in 2022.

The Walt Disney Company today announced the creation of a new enterprise marketing and brand organization designed to align the company’s industry-leading marketing teams more closely across its businesses and strengthen how Disney connects with consumers around the world. Asad Ayaz has been named Chief Marketing and Brand Officer of The Walt Disney Company and will lead the organization.

The new enterprise marketing organization will harness the collective strength of marketing teams across the company to support a more connected approach to how Disney reaches audiences, elevates its campaigns, and advances the business goals of each segment and the company as a whole.

“Over more than two decades at the company – and as Disney’s first-ever Chief Brand Officer – Asad has helped bring the magic of Disney to life for millions through his exceptional leadership,” said The Walt Disney Company’s CEO Bob Iger. “As our businesses have evolved, it’s clear that we need a company-wide role that ensures brand consistency and allows consumers today to seamlessly interact with our wonderful products and experiences. The Chief Marketing and Brand Officer role is critical for this moment, and Asad is the perfect fit.”

“Asad is an exceptional creative leader with strong strategic and operational prowess and deep experience across Disney and its brands, and we are excited for what we will accomplish together as we strengthen the connection between Disney and audiences around the world,” said Disney Entertainment Co-Chairs Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro, and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro in a joint statement.

Ayaz assumes this new role after eight years as President of Marketing for The Walt Disney Studios, and leading marketing for Disney+. As Chief Brand Officer since 2023, he also oversees company-wide brand efforts, alliances, and events, and stewarding Disney’s iconic brands and franchises globally.

The new unified marketing organization will build on Ayaz’s marketing and brand leadership, connecting shared capabilities and modern marketing tools across the company to create greater continuity and agility, and to further enhance and innovate in the ways Disney engages consumers enterprise-wide. Ayaz will report to CEO Bob Iger as Chief Marketing and Brand Officer, and to the segment chairs in leading marketing efforts across the company’s business units.

On Thursday, TIME recognized The Walt Disney Company as one of “America’s Most Iconic Companies,” a list honoring 250 businesses that have shaped the nation’s economic and cultural landscape.

In its feature, which honors the country’s 250th anniversary this year, the iconic publication spotlighted Disney as an enduring name in the media industry, bringing American storytelling that reflect the country’s spirit of optimism, ambition, and innovation to audiences around the world.

“For over a century, Disney has been woven into the American story, with beloved characters and timeless tales that have brought magic, joy and wonder to generations,” Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, said. “Walt Disney’s enduring vision for this great company remains our inspiration, shaping the creativity, curiosity and innovation that fuel our storytelling today. The dreams Walt envisioned for Disney continue to grow, taking us into the future and pushing the boundaries of what is possible for generations to come.”

ESPN, the country’s preeminent sports media brand, was also honored on the list.

According to TIME, the list is “a comprehensive analysis that seeks to identify entities that have not only achieved commercial success but have also become deeply ingrained in the American identity, shaping perceptions, habits, and aspirations.”

The Walt Disney Company is also commemorating America’s semiquincentennial with “Disney Celebrates America.” Currently underway and culminating on the July 4, 2026 weekend, Disney is featuring special programming, storytelling, and experiences across its iconic brands and businesses to celebrate the nation’s remarkable journey, spotlight the people and places that make this country so unique, and inspire patriotism in every generation.

Live from CES, Disney revealed how its latest technology and data capabilities are powering stronger outcomes for brands across the most scaled portfolio of live sports and streaming. At the Sixth Annual Global Tech & Data Showcase, the Company showed how AI, insights, and automation — paired with premium content — are driving real impact for marketers.

“Advertisers are raising the bar for both accountability and innovation, seeking impactful ways to align with quality storytelling and data-led solutions that drive meaningful business results,” said Rita Ferro, President, Global Advertising, The Walt Disney Company. “Disney brings together world-class storytelling and the technology that connects brands with fans at scale across the world’s most premium live sports and entertainment experiences.”

Disney’s latest advancements turn insights into impact for advertisers, all while sitting at the intersection of iconic storytelling and live cultural moments.

Creative — Better Versions, Not Just More Versions

• A new video generation tool designed for advertising allows brands to create high-quality, CTV-ready commercials using existing brand assets and guidelines.
• It supports creative versioning by audience, context, and placement and is informed by performance signals within the spot.
• The focus is on helping creative work harder inside Disney environments, while at the same time providing safeguards and building with human oversight and imagination throughout the process.
• Known and Instinct Pet Food are among the first to collaborate with Disney to test the new video generation tool and develop proof of concept creative.

Planning — Faster, Easier, Smarter Alignment

• With a new AI-powered internal tool, the planning process with Disney is made faster and easier.
• The tool captures objectives, audience intent, timing, and constraints to focus on strategy and collaboration, rather than setup.

Connected Measurement — From Reporting to Learning

• Disney Compass, launched last year, brings together planning, data collaboration, and measurement into a single, connected experience — now supporting campaigns across the U.S. and LATAM, with EMEA coming up next.
• Expanding into the Disney Compass Brand Portal, the tool provides a unified view of brand performance across campaigns and platforms, with category benchmarks and AI-powered summaries.
• Soon, Disney Compass will include AI-powered summaries that will highlight key learnings and identify new opportunities for advertisers.

• Synthesizing attention, brand health, search, and attribution, the new Disney Advertising Brand Impact Metric allows brands to see what’s working, understand why, and optimize while campaigns are live.
• For instance, brands can measure the impact of attention and search activity on outcomes.

User Experience — Building Around Fan Behavior

• Disney is bringing vertical video to Disney+ in the U.S. this year, which follows the successful launch of “Verts” on the ESPN app.
• The experience will evolve as it expands across news and entertainment and delivers a more personalized, dynamic experience that reinforces Disney+ as a must-visit daily destination.

Key takeaways from Disney executives:

• Dana McGraw, SVP, Data and Measurement Science: “Being a leader in this space means that performance isn’t just checking a box — it’s an always-on evaluation of success. It’s how we are proving the value of aligning with Disney content and Disney fans everyday – empowering you to innovate faster.”
• Erin Teague, EVP, Product Management: “As we unify the Disney+ and Hulu experience, we’re doing so on a foundation of bolder and more dynamic personalization. We’re driving content discovery that complements each unique fan and exposes everyone to the full depth and breadth of our one-of-a-kind library.”
• Jamie Power, SVP, Addressable Sales: “It’s clear we are no longer ‘media planning.’ We are now experience-level planning — SAME goals, NEW tools, LIMITLESS possibilities. From planning, to creative, to measurement you can use Disney end to end or seamlessly plug our data into the tools you already love.”
• Tony Donohoe, EVP, Advertising Platforms: “These are tools and technology we’re bringing to advertisers because we believe they solve actual problems and drive actual value for you. It’s a blend of technical depth and storytelling sensibility that very few companies can deliver.”

To ring in the new year, Disney unveiled a new brand campaign highlighting the cherished memories fans make with Disney that last a lifetime and become special moments of joy and connection with their families and loved ones.

The heartwarming video, entitled Through Time, features Paige and her family sharing home videos and reminiscing about the treasured memories they have made with Disney throughout their lives. From her favorite Minnie Mouse doll to her visits to Disney Parks, this short showcases how Disney has been a core part of her life, including today as she continues creating Disney memories with loved ones that will last a lifetime — something many around the world can relate to. The video will also air during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, America’s most-watched New Year’s Eve celebration, airing tonight on ABC beginning at 8:00 PM EST.

“At its heart, Disney has always been about creating unforgettable experiences that become cherished moments in people’s lives,” said Joanna Balikian, Senior Vice President, Brand Management, The Walt Disney Company. “As we close out one year and welcome the next, we’re celebrating the unique connection fans have with Disney and the lifelong memories we have created together.”

This is the first video of a larger series highlighting the unique ways Disney touches the lives of fans and families all over the world, every single day. Celebrate the magic of Disney memories by reflecting on the moments of wonder, joy, and connection you have experienced with Disney over the years. Whether it’s a treasured visit to our parks, a favorite character, or a story shared with loved ones, these memories bring us together. Join Disney in creating new cherished moments and sharing the Disney magic with those who matter most.

The Walt Disney Company announced its participation in the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena with its “Disney Celebrates America” entry, designed as a patriotic tribute to the nation’s 250th anniversary. This vibrant entry celebrates the country’s semiquincentennial in uniquely Disney ways, leaning into the dreams, stories, and optimism that have touched the lives of people across the country and around the world for the past century.

Leading the procession will be a Disneyland vehicle carrying Mickey Mouse and friends adorned with patriotic décor and red, white and blue flowers. They will be joined by more than 50 U.S. military veterans who now serve as Disney cast members and their families, symbolizing the company’s deep appreciation for those who have served our country and now help create magic for millions. The selection of the flowers on the vehicle holds special meaning for those who serve our country in uniform.

Each of the vibrant flowers on the car hold significance for military veterans. They include the red poppies widely recognized as a symbol of remembrance for fallen military personnel dating back to World War I. Other flowers featured in Disney’s entry include rosemaries, blue irises, white lilies, chrysanthemums and red roses to express love, honor, and appreciation for veterans everywhere.

This milestone is an opportunity to honor Walt Disney’s enduring love of country and our century-long support for those who serve — a legacy that began with Walt and Roy O. Disney’s contributions during the First World War and continues today. As part of this celebration, Disney is proud to highlight U.S. military veterans working across the company as well as our expanded support for military families — including a $2.5 million donation to Blue Star Families.

“The Walt Disney Company is proud to participate in the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade as part of our ‘Disney Celebrates America’ initiative honoring our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “Both Disney and the Tournament of Roses Parade have long celebrated the spirit of America and the people who make it extraordinary — including our service members, veterans, and their families. By featuring our own veteran cast members, we’re excited to kick off the year at this iconic event and share the Disney magic that connects generations.”

For more than a century, Disney’s storytelling has celebrated American ideals — honoring the nation’s past, present, and future. Disney invites families everywhere to commemorate America’s historic 250^th anniversary through special events, new attractions like Soarin’ Across America, expanded support for military families and a multi-platform broadcast event on July 4. On 4^th of July weekend, Disney parks in the United States will feature themed fireworks and events, and programming across ABC, National Geographic and ESPN will highlight American heroes, traditions and communities.

ABC will broadcast live coverage of the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California on January 1, beginning at 11 a.m. ET. The two-hour broadcast will be hosted by ESPN SportsCenter anchors Kevin Negandhi and Hannah Storm, both returning to the event, along with longtime reporter John Naber.

Learn more about Disney’s extensive celebration of America’s 250^th anniversary here.

• As part of this three-year licensing agreement, Sora will be able to generate short, user-prompted social videos that can be viewed and shared by fans, drawing on more than 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars characters.
• Agreement will make a selection of these fan-inspired Sora short form videos available to stream on Disney+.
• Disney and OpenAI affirm a shared commitment to responsible use of AI that protects the safety of users and the rights of creators.
• Alongside the licensing agreement, Disney will become a major customer of OpenAI, using its APIs to build new products, tools, and experiences, including for Disney+, and deploying ChatGPT for its employees. 
• As part of the agreement, Disney will make a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI, and receive warrants to purchase additional equity.

The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI have reached an agreement for Disney to become the first major content licensing partner on Sora, OpenAI’s short-form generative AI video platform, bringing these leaders in creativity and innovation together to unlock new possibilities in imaginative storytelling.

As part of this new, three-year licensing agreement, Sora will be able to generate short, user-prompted social videos that can be viewed and shared by fans, drawing from a set of more than 200 animated, masked and creature characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars, including costumes, props, vehicles, and iconic environments. In addition, ChatGPT Images will be able to turn a few words by the user into fully generated images in seconds, drawing from the same intellectual property. The agreement does not include any talent likenesses or voices.

Alongside the licensing agreement, Disney will become a major customer of OpenAI, using its APIs to build new products, tools, and experiences, including for Disney+, and deploying ChatGPT for its employees.

As part of the agreement, Disney will make a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI, and receive warrants to purchase additional equity.

Under the agreement, Disney and OpenAI are affirming a shared commitment to the responsible use of AI that protects user safety and the rights of creators. Together, the companies will advance human-centered AI that respects the creative industries and expands what is possible for storytelling.

The transaction is subject to the negotiation of definitive agreements, required corporate and board approvals, and customary closing conditions.

“Technological innovation has continually shaped the evolution of entertainment, bringing with it new ways to create and share great stories with the world,” said Robert A. Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence marks an important moment for our industry, and through this collaboration with OpenAI we will thoughtfully and responsibly extend the reach of our storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their works. Bringing together Disney’s iconic stories and characters with OpenAI’s groundbreaking technology puts imagination and creativity directly into the hands of Disney fans in ways we’ve never seen before, giving them richer and more personal ways to connect with the Disney characters and stories they love.”

“Disney is the global gold standard for storytelling, and we’re excited to partner to allow Sora and ChatGPT Images to expand the way people create and experience great content,” said Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI. “This agreement shows how AI companies and creative leaders can work together responsibly to promote innovation that benefits society, respect the importance of creativity, and help works reach vast new audiences.”

Under the license, fans will be able to watch curated selections of Sora-generated videos on Disney+, and OpenAI and Disney will collaborate to utilize OpenAI’s models to power new experiences for Disney+ subscribers, furthering innovative and creative ways to connect with Disney’s stories and characters. Sora and ChatGPT Images are expected to start generating fan-inspired videos with Disney’s multi-brand licensed characters in early 2026.

Among the characters fans will be able to use in their creations are Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Lilo, Stitch, Ariel, Belle, Beast, Cinderella, Baymax, Simba, Mufasa, as well as characters from the worlds of Encanto, Frozen, Inside Out, Moana, Monsters Inc., Toy Story, Up, Zootopia, and many more; plus iconic animated or illustrated versions of Marvel and Lucasfilm characters like Black Panther, Captain America, Deadpool, Groot, Iron Man, Loki, Thor, Thanos, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Leia, the Mandalorian, Stormtroopers, Yoda and more.

As part of the agreement, OpenAI has committed to continuing its industry leadership in implementing responsible measures to further address trust and safety, including age-appropriate policies and other reasonable controls across the service. In addition, OpenAI and Disney have affirmed a shared commitment to maintaining robust controls to prevent the generation of illegal or harmful content, to respect the rights of content owners in relation to the outputs of models, and to respect the rights of individuals to appropriately control the use of their voice and likeness.

Forward-Looking Statements

The terms “Company,” “we,” and “our” below and “Disney” above are used to refer collectively to The Walt Disney Company and the subsidiaries through which our various businesses are actually conducted.

Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward‐looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our expectations, beliefs and business plans; transactions for which conditions to close have not been satisfied, including entering into definitive agreements, required approvals or other conditions to close; the benefits of the transactions, commitments and product offerings; consumer sentiment; and other statements that are not historical in nature. Any information that is not historical in nature is subject to change. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events as of the time the statements are made. Management does not undertake any obligation to update these statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such differences may result from actions taken by the Company or the discovery of additional information, as well as from developments beyond the Company’s control, including: failure to enter into definitive agreements, obtain required approvals or satisfy other closing conditions; regulatory and legal developments; technological developments; and consumer preferences and use of product offerings. Additional factors are set forth in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

When Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia was released in 2016, the comedy-adventure welcomed audiences to a modern mammal metropolis where an optimistic bunny and a sly fox proved that with perseverance and teamwork, anyone can be anything. The film went on to become a box office phenomenon, grossing over $1 billion worldwide and winning the Oscar^® for Best Animated Feature, in addition to other industry accolades.

Zootopia 2, which opened this past weekend to record box office numbers, builds upon the hopeful and relatable message of its predecessor. The sequel picks up directly after the conclusion of the first film, with rookie cops Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) willing to “try everything” to make their new partnership work.

Jared Bush — the co-director/co-writer of Zootopia — returns for the sequel as both its screenwriter and director (directing alongside Byron Howard). He has been with Disney Animation since 2011, receiving the Academy Award^® in 2022 for Encanto, for which he was both director and a writer, in the same year in which he was executive producer for the Oscar-nominated Raya and the Last Dragon. Bush was also wrote Moana (2016) and Moana 2 (2024), the latter of which he also executive produced, and won an Emmy^® for Zootopia+.

In the Q&A below, Bush — who was named the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios in September 2024 — reflects on the Zootopia franchise’s global appeal, sets up Judy and Nick’s journey in the sequel, and teases what’s next for the studio.

After Zootopia was released in 2016, it earned more than $1 billion at the global box office. Why do you think this particular franchise has such a strong, universal appeal?

There’s something about animals that people can relate to. That’s one of the really fun things about Zootopia: you can identify with an animal. That’s you, that’s your friend, that’s your teacher, that’s a guy you saw at the DMV. There’s something very universal about that.

I also think that the themes we talk about [across the entire Zootopia franchise] are real human themes: “How do we get along with one another?” “Are our differences too much?”

No matter who you are or where you are in the world, you can see your story onscreen.

The world fell in love with Judy and Nick in the first film, and their adventures continued over the years through Disney’s theme parks, cruise ships, and consumer products. What inspired you to expand their story even further onscreen in Zootopia 2?

I know Judy and Nick as characters; I know them really well. And in the first film, they only really got to hang out for about 48 hours. Stepping into the next story, the big question was: “What happens to them next?” As a storyteller, that’s really exciting to think about.

We spent a lot of time looking into Judy and Nick’s pasts and [imagined] what they would do moving forward: Will they actually make a good team, or are they a one-hit wonder? Judy and Nick are always our true north. More than anything else, with all of Zootopia’s bells and whistles, what you really care about is this duo and what’s going to happen next.

What makes Zootopia 2 a must-see in theaters?

In 100 years, it’s our most ambitious film that we’ve ever created at Disney Animation. And it is the most immersive environment you can imagine; the cinematography takes you to places we have never put onscreen before. But, more than that, it is filled with absolute joy.

It’s been 14 months since you were named Chief Creative Officer of Disney Animation. From Hexed to the Frozen sequels, what are you most excited for in the coming years?

It takes about five years to make one of our films, so we have to have ideas that we are so passionate about — ideas that we want to stick with as they’re going through all of their different iterations. I know what the next 10 years of Disney Animation looks like, and it’s really exciting. The variety is honestly spectacular, and it all comes from filmmaker passion.

For more than a century, Disney has remained at the heart of culture by continually evolving and meeting fans in the moments and spaces that matter to them. Sports are one of today’s most powerful touchpoints, and Disney is tapping into that passion with collaborations that blend its storytelling legacy with the excitement and scale of global athletics.

“Sports remain one of the most unifying cultural forces in the world,” said Tasia Filippatos, President, Disney Consumer Products. “By infusing Disney’s storytelling into the energy of global sports fandoms, we’re creating experiences and products that connect with consumers in powerful new ways.”

Disney’s latest consumer products collaborations underscore a strategic expansion that strengthens both its business and brand, deepening fan engagement and reinforcing its position as a cultural leader.

Initiatives like Formula 1’s “Fuel the Magic,” MLB-themed trading cards, and Marvel x Adidas exemplify how Disney creates experiences that resonate across generations and geographies. These efforts not only drive consumer products growth but also ensure Disney remains the leader in dynamic lifestyle categories where fandom and creativity intersect.

Mickey & Friends join the high-speed world of Formula 1

Through strategic partnerships across leagues and teams, Disney is opening new pathways for engagement and expanding the ways audiences interact with our brands.

“Fuel the Magic” connects Disney’s storytelling power with the excitement of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, elevating fan experiences and aligning F1 with a brand synonymous with innovation and magic.

Disney x Topps unveil MLB-themed Disney trading cards

Disney and Topps recently introduced the first-ever MLB-themed Disney trading cards that tap into sports heritage and nostalgia and showcase classic characters in authentic MLB uniforms representing all 30 teams.

By featuring timeless characters like Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck in official MLB gear, Disney bridges generations of fans with a fresh twist on a favorite pastime.

For partners like Topps, working with Disney means leveraging a global entertainment powerhouse that can amplify fan connection, expand reach, and deliver experiences that celebrate both legacy and innovation.

Marvel x Adidas x Real Madrid & All Blacks: A heroic collaboration

Announced Nov. 18, Marvel, Adidas, Real Madrid CF and New Zealand’s All Blacks debuted a limited-edition apparel line inspired by an epic comic book narrative where football, rugby, and superheroes unite to create a bold statement for fans.

This collection fuses signature comic-book creativity with the power of sports, reinforcing Disney’s ability to innovate beyond traditional entertainment and engage fans in new lifestyle experiences.

Adidas and elite sports teams work with Disney because it’s a brand that commands worldwide recognition, drives consumer passion, and creates products that resonate across fan communities and markets.

 NBA x Marvel x Macy’s: Where fandom meets fashion

In October, Disney launched a lifestyle collection that combines Marvel’s cultural influence with NBA fandom to create an immersive retail experience exclusively at Macy’s. The limited-edition Spider-Man-inspired line featured apparel, accessories and home décor, bringing together three influential brands in a bold display of cross-category innovation.

These efforts reflect Disney’s commitment to shaping the next century of fan engagement, ensuring our timeless stories continue to inspire audiences wherever they gather to celebrate the teams and moments they love.

ESPN and Major League Baseball today announced a new fan-focused, multi-faceted agreement, featuring a broad range of national rights, plus local out-of-market rights and in-market rights. As part of the agreement, ESPN becomes the exclusive rights holder of MLB.TV, making thousands of games available each season on the ESPN App, in addition to MLB platforms in 2026. The announcement of the new deal, effective 2026 through 2028, was made by Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN, and Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr.

MLB.TV on ESPN App

MLB.TV and its thousands of out-of-market games each year will stream live and on-demand on the ESPN App. The games will also be available on MLB platforms in 2026. New MLB.TV subscribers will be able to purchase and stream the service through the enhanced ESPN App and enjoy its suite of interactive features and functionalities — alongside more than 50,000 other sports events and content from ESPN’s family of networks. Both new and existing MLB.TV subscribers will have the ability to access the service on the ESPN App and through MLB platforms.

Additionally, ESPN has acquired exclusive, local in-market streaming rights for MLB Clubs. The MLB Clubs currently include the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Guardians, Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. In 2026, the games will be available to purchase and stream on MLB platforms.

ESPN will also deliver more than 150 out-of-market regular season games every season across a special ‘game of the day’ offering for subscribers to the ESPN Unlimited plan.

Exclusive National Linear Game Package

ESPN will produce a new, exclusive package of national regular-season MLB games each year for its linear networks and direct-to-consumer offering. The 30-game schedule will be comprised primarily of weeknight games, with a focus on the core summer months. As part of this national package, ESPN will maintain exclusive rights to the MLB Little League Classic presented by New York Life as part of its sweeping Little League World Series coverage. ESPN has also added rights to Memorial Day games and second-half opener games.

Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN: “This fan-friendly agreement allows us to showcase the great sport of baseball on both a local and national level, while prioritizing our streaming future. MLB.TV is a coveted, must-have companion for passionate MLB fans all over the country, and it will be strongly complemented by our national game package and in-market team rights – all within the ESPN App.”

Robert D. Manfred, Jr., Baseball Commissioner: “This new agreement with ESPN marks a significant evolution in our more than 30-year relationship. Bringing MLB.TV to ESPN’s new app while maintaining a presence on linear television reflects a balanced approach to the shifts taking place in the way that fans watch baseball and gives MLB a meaningful presence on an important destination for fans of all sports.”

Additional rights:

• Fans with an MLB.TV subscription also have access to MLB Network and its 24/7 programming;
• ESPN’s MLB studio rights for Baseball Tonight will continue;
• Existing audio package continues as ESPN Radio remains the national audio home of the World Series, the full MLB Postseason, the MLB All-Star Game and Home Run Derby, weekly Saturday games and Sunday Night Baseball;
• ESPN retains Spanish-language rights for its new, linear games package;
• Rights for SportsCenter and additional ESPN studio show presence at signature MLB events, including the World Series;
• Throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia/New Zealand, Africa, the Netherlands, and China (via its hotel channels), ESPN continues to serve fans with a robust game package featuring daily regular season games including Sunday Night Baseball, MLB All-Star Game, and culminating with the MLB Postseason and World Series.

ESPN and Major League Baseball have one of sports media’s most prolific and longest standing partnerships, dating back to the 1990 season. The partnership has served as a hub of broadcast innovation throughout the years. For more information on ESPN and MLB’s history of innovation, visit ESPNFrontRow.com.

All Disney Networks Will Be Restored to YouTube TV Customers

New Deal Introduces More Ways to Access Disney’s Content 

The Walt Disney Company announced a multi-year distribution agreement with YouTube TV that delivers Disney’s marquee sports, news and entertainment programming – along with greater choice and value for their customers. As part of the new deal, Disney’s full suite of networks and stations – including ESPN and ABC – have already begun to be restored to YouTube TV subscribers.

Key elements of the agreement include:

• Carriage of Disney’s full linear portfolio including all the ESPN networks, ABC, the Disney-branded channels, Freeform, the FX Networks, and the National Geographic channels
• ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer service (Unlimited Plan) to be made available at no additional cost to YouTube TV subscribers
• Access to a selection of live and on-demand programming from ESPN Unlimited inside YouTube TV
• Select networks to be included in various genre-specific packages
• The ability to include the Disney+, Hulu Bundle as part of select YouTube offerings

“This new agreement reflects our continued commitment to delivering exceptional entertainment and evolving with how audiences choose to watch,’’ said Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. “It recognizes the tremendous value of Disney’s programming and provides YouTube TV subscribers with more flexibility and choice. We are pleased that our networks have been restored in time for fans to enjoy the many great programming options this weekend, including college football.”

The Walt Disney Company reported its fiscal full year and fourth quarter results on Thursday with CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston highlighting the company’s successes in the quarter and the fiscal year.

“This was another year of great progress as we strengthened the company by leveraging the value of our creative and brand assets and continued to make meaningful progress in our direct-to-consumer businesses,” Iger and Johnston said in an executive commentary on Thursday.

Iger and Johnston added that Disney’s efforts in Fiscal 2025 “resulted in strong earnings growth for the company.”

Film & TV

“This summer’s box office once again demonstrated the global and cross-generational appeal of our storytelling and IP,” Iger and Johnston said, noting that Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch remains the highest grossing Hollywood film at the global box office this calendar year.

The success of Lilo & Stitch “has extended across our interconnected businesses and consumer touchpoints,” Iger and Johnston said.

“The film earned 14.3 million views during its first five days on Disney+, becoming the second-biggest Disney live-action premiere on the platform ever,” the two added. “Retail sales of consumer products merchandise for Stitch, including sales by our licensees, also continue to grow, eclipsing $4 billion in fiscal 2025. The popularity of this global phenomenon underscores the franchise’s enduring strength and the effectiveness of our strategy to invest in popular stories and characters.”

However, Disney’s success was not just on the big screen.

“We saw strong viewership of our content in Q4, fueled by television series such as Alien: Earth — FX’s biggest premiere ever on Disney+ and Hulu; Season two of High Potential, the No. 1 original broadcast series across all platforms for the second season in a row among Adults 18-49; the Korean global hit Tempest; and Season 34 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, which made history as the only fall show to increase its overall audience for six straight weeks following a season premiere — something that has never been achieved by any show since Nielsen began electronic measurement in 1991.”

Streaming

As for Disney’s Entertainment streaming business, it “had another quarter of profit growth,” Iger and Johnston said.

The two added that the success of Disney’s streaming business is “especially notable given that only three years ago our direct-to-consumer businesses had an operating loss of $4 billion [1], reflecting the remarkable progress we’ve made and the effective execution of our strategy.”

Iger and Johnston went on to say that as Disney continues to establish Direct-to-Consumer as “a core driver of growth,” the company is advancing important initiatives to create a unified app experience to better serve our users and “provide opportunities to unlock new value for the company.”

“In October, Hulu became our global general entertainment brand within Disney+ in international markets. And we continue work to consolidate all of our Entertainment content domestically within a single app, which will simplify the user experience, highlight the full value of our bundles, and unlock further marketing efforts,” the two said.

Finally, the two added that there are further updates coming soon to Disney+, such as an even more visually engaging homepage, greater personalization from improved recommendation algorithms, and more.

“Looking ahead, we are positioned to continue to grow our streaming business in fiscal 2026,” Iger and Johnston noted.

Sports

In Q4, ESPN ushered in a new era for sports fans with the launch of its direct-to-consumer service and enhanced ESPN App. This made ESPN’s full suite of networks and services directly available to fans for the first time. It also continued ESPN’s evolution as the preeminent digital sports platform.

“We’re thrilled by the response from fans so far, especially to the upgraded ESPN App,” Iger and Johnston said. “With the addition of ESPN DTC, we are excited for the options we are able to offer sports fans, and we believe ESPN’s success will be reflected in our financial results over time.”

The two added, “Viewership of our industry-leading portfolio of live sports remains robust, with Q4 ratings across ESPN networks, including ESPN on ABC, up 25% over the prior year quarter^{.” [2]}

Experiences

Disney’s Experiences segment delivered record operating income for both Q4 and the full year, Iger and Johnston noted.

“In addition, we continue to add value for our guests, resulting in strong customer satisfaction,” they said. “Despite increased competition in the marketplace, Walt Disney World and Disneyland remain the two most visited theme parks in the world, offering an unparalleled guest experience.” [3]

Iger and Johnston noted that the company is looking forward to the launch of two new cruise ships in the coming months: The Disney Destiny, which has its maiden voyage on November 20, and the Disney Adventure, which will launch in March, marking the first time the company has a ship homeported in Asia.

“With expansion projects underway at every one of our theme parks, five additional cruise ships scheduled for launch beyond fiscal 2026, and a new theme park planned for Abu Dhabi, the strategic investments we are making now will help ensure our offerings remain best-in-class and appeal to audiences worldwide well into the future,” the two said.

Final Thoughts

Iger and Johnston concluded their executive commentary by saying, “overall, this quarter caps another strong fiscal year for the Company.”

“We continue to execute across our strategic priorities as we build for the future, deliver the very best in entertainment to consumers, and create value for shareholders,” the two concluded.

• [1]: Operating loss of $4 billion reported for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2022 for Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution Direct-to-Consumer, which included Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+.
• [2]: Source: Nielsen, P2+, Live+SD audience.
• [3]: According to the TEA Global Experience Index’s Global Attractions Attendance Report.

The information above should be read together with Disney’s Q4 and FY 25 Earnings Report, Form 10-K, prepared earnings remarks (executive commentary), and earnings call (all available here), which discuss additional information, including additional challenges and risks the company’s businesses face and additional information about Q4 and FY25 performance.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this communication may constitute “forward‐looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, plans, financial prospects, trends or outlook; transactions for which conditions for completion have not been satisfied, including entering into additional agreements, regulatory or approvals or other conditions; content, benefits, timing and completion of future projects and product offerings; expectations and opportunities for growth and expansion; strategies and strategic priorities and opportunities; expected benefits of new initiatives; value of our intellectual property, content offerings, businesses and assets; and other statements that are not historical in nature. Any information that is not historical in nature is subject to change. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made. Management does not undertake any obligation to update these statements.

Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such differences may result from actions taken by the company, including restructuring or strategic initiatives (including capital investments, asset acquisitions or dispositions, new or expanded business lines or cessation of certain operations), our execution of our business plans (including the content we create and IP we invest in, our pricing decisions, our cost structure and our management and other personnel decisions), our ability to quickly execute on cost rationalization while preserving revenue, the discovery of additional information or other business decisions, as well as from developments beyond the company’s control, including: the occurrence of subsequent events; deterioration in domestic and global economic conditions or a failure of conditions to improve as anticipated; deterioration in or pressures from competitive conditions, including competition to create or acquire content, competition for talent and competition for advertising revenue; consumer preferences and acceptance of our content, offerings, pricing model and price increases, and corresponding subscriber additions and churn, and the market for advertising sales on our DTC streaming services and linear networks; health concerns and their impact on our businesses and productions; international, including tariffs and other trade policies, political or military developments; regulatory and legal developments; technological developments; labor markets and activities, including work stoppages; adverse weather conditions or natural disasters; and availability of content.

Such developments may further affect entertainment, travel and leisure businesses generally and may, among other things, affect (or further affect, as applicable): our operations, business plans or profitability, including direct-to-consumer profitability; demand for our products and services; the performance of the company’s content; our ability to create or obtain desirable content at or under the value we assign the content; the advertising market for programming; taxation; and performance of some or all company businesses either directly or through their impact on those who distribute our products.

Additional factors are set forth in the company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under the captions “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Business,” subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, including under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The terms “company,” “Disney,” “we,” and “our” are used above to refer collectively to the parent company and the subsidiaries through which our various businesses are actually conducted.

Disney invites audiences into a heartwarming new original story with A Disney Holiday Short: Best Christmas Ever, directed by Academy Award® winner Taika Waititi. Premiering today on Disney+ and online, and featuring the voice of Disney Legend John Goodman as Doodle, the short serves as the creative centerpiece of Disney’s “Make Someone’s Holiday Magic” campaign, also launching today.

“Disney stories have always been a source of togetherness, wonder, and joy, especially during the holidays,” said Disney’s Joanna Balikian, Senior Vice President, Brand Management. “With A Disney Holiday Short: Best Christmas Ever, we sought to capture that timeless spirit of friendship, family, and imagination that brings generations together and makes the holidays magical.”

At the center of the story is a little girl and her doodle who comes to life on Christmas Day after Santa mistakes the drawing for a holiday wish. The short follows the charming story of the friendship between the girl and the animated product of her imagination during this magical season in a uniquely Disney way. The film ends with a call to action for viewers, “Make Someone’s Holiday Magic,” which serves as the tagline for Disney’s holiday campaign this year. Renowned Walt Disney Animation Studios animator Eric Goldberg, the creator of beloved Disney characters such as Genie from Aladdin (1992), acted as an advisor on the animation of the short in collaboration with Untold Studios, producer hungryman, and creative agency adam&eveDDB.

This short follows last year’s Emmy®-nominated, A Disney Holiday Short: The Boy & The Octopus, also directed by Taika Waititi, whose numerous Disney credits include Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), and Searchlight Pictures’ Jojo Rabbit (2019), for which he won an Oscar® for Best Adapted Screenplay.

“What makes this story uniquely Disney is the fact that it’s set in the world of a kid. It’s a kid and her new best friend, navigating the complex world together, and doing it just with the power of friendship and imagination,” said Taika Waititi.

The lovable character Doodle is voiced by Disney Legend John Goodman (Doodle), who has voiced numerous beloved animated characters for Disney, including James P. “Sulley” Sullivan from Disney and Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. (2001) and Monsters University (2013), as well as Pacha in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Emperor’s New Groove (2000), and “Big Daddy” La Bouff in The Princess and the Frog (2009), among many other Disney titles.

“I’ve always loved being part of Disney stories because there’s a timelessness to Disney’s storytelling – it’s fun, it’s heartfelt, and it reminds families of what really matters. This wonderful short captures that same spirit perfectly,” said John Goodman.

On November 12, to celebrate A Disney Holiday Short: Best Christmas Ever, Disney is inviting fans to help create a little magic of their own in Times Square. Fans will be able to submit their own doodles using a QR code and watch as their art comes to life on the billboard. This interactive experience will be a first-of-its-kind to light up the streets of New York.

From seasonal stories to the season of giving, Disney is inspiring fans and audiences to “Make Someone’s Holiday Magic” this year. For generations, Disney has been a part of families’ lives during the holidays, creating cherished memories that last a lifetime. Fans everywhere can celebrate the holidays with Disney at theme parks around the world, at Disney Store, on the award-winning fleet of cruise ships, and by watching timeless classics on Disney+, like Home Alone (1990) and exciting new premieres including the upcoming A Very Jonas Christmas Movie featuring the iconic trio, Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas, available to stream on November 14.

To learn about all the ways to make someone’s holiday magic, visit Disney.com/HolidayMagic.

This holiday season, Disney is inspiring fans and families everywhere to “Make Someone’s Holiday Magic,” celebrating the joy of giving and the powerful connection that countless people share with Disney during this special time of year. The celebration begins with the all-new, A Disney Holiday Short: Best Christmas Ever, from Academy Award® winner Taika Waititi, available today on Disney+ and online. Next month, Disney will embark on a Holiday Magic Tour to more than 20 cities around the world, spreading cheer through donations, community activations, special surprises, and moments of joy for kids and families. And all season long, Disney holiday magic will be available through special experiences at Disney Parks and Resorts and beloved stories that come to life across our films, series, toys and collectibles, and more.

“For generations, Disney has been part of how families celebrate the holidays — through the impact we have in communities, the stories we share, and the lifelong memories we help create that bring people together,” said Disney’s Joanna Balikian, Senior Vice President, Brand Management. “This year, Disney is continuing that legacy of making magic during the holidays all over the world.”

A Disney Holiday Short: Best Christmas Ever

For the second year in a row, Disney and Taika Waititi have collaborated on a heartwarming original story of friendship for the holidays in A Disney Holiday Short: Best Christmas Ever. At the center of the story is a little girl and her doodle who comes to life on Christmas Day after Santa mistakes the drawing for a holiday wish. The short follows the charming story of the friendship between the girl and the animated product of her imagination during this magical season in a uniquely Disney way.

The lovable character Doodle is voiced by Disney Legend John Goodman, who has voiced numerous beloved animated characters for Disney, including James P. “Sulley” Sullivan from Disney and Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. (2001) and Monsters University (2013), as well as Pacha in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Emperor’s New Groove (2000), and “Big Daddy” La Bouff in The Princess and the Frog (2009), among many other Disney titles.

Renowned Walt Disney Animation Studios animator Eric Goldberg, the creator of beloved Disney characters such as Genie from Aladdin (1992), acted as an advisor on the animation of the short in collaboration with Untold Studios, producer hungryman, and creative agency adam&eveDDB.

This short follows last year’s Emmy®-nominated, A Disney Holiday Short: The Boy & The Octopus, also directed by Taika Waititi, whose numerous Disney credits include Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), and Searchlight Pictures’ Jojo Rabbit (2019), for which he won an Oscar® for Best Adapted Screenplay.

“What makes this story uniquely Disney is the fact that it’s set in the world of a kid. It’s a kid and her new best friend, navigating the complex world together, and doing it just with the power of friendship and imagination,” said Taika Waititi.

Disney’s Holiday Magic Tour

As part of the celebration, Disney’s Holiday Magic Tour will visit communities across the country and around the world, with magical moments at local schools, children’s hospitals, and nonprofit organizations, as well as VoluntEARS toy deliveries, exclusive movie screenings, a surprise Broadway cameo, and more. Beloved shows across Disney networks including ESPN’s First Take and SEC Nation, as well as ABC and ABC News programs like Dancing with the Stars, Good Morning America, The View, Live with Kelly and Mark, Tamron Hall, and Wheel of Fortune will amplify the spirit and excitement, helping to share Disney’s mission of making holiday magic for countless kids and families — particularly those who need it most.

For over 75 years, Disney has worked with the Marine Toys for Tots program to deliver toys, hope, and joy to children in need during the holiday season, a collaboration started by Walt Disney himself. You can make someone’s holiday magic by joining this year’s Disney Ultimate Toy Drive and donating a toy to Toys for Tots through December 24, 2025, or in person at Disney Stores, the Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort from now through December 14, 2025. Disney will harness the full power of its Consumer Products segment to create holiday magic for children and families in need. Special Disney Store shopping sprees will take place in all 50 states. In Detroit, a heartwarming community toy distribution event — in collaboration with Toys for Tots and supported by licensees and retailers — will deliver the spirit of the season through immersive experiences and meaningful giving.

Unleash the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, Stitch is ready to “Unleash the Holidays” with Disney Consumer Products. This year, the mischievous-yet-lovable blue alien is popping up everywhere and bringing favorite characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars along for the ride. Disney has great gifts for everyone this holiday season: from toys and collectibles to fashion, accessories, and more — there’s something special to make everyone’s holiday magic.

From seasonal stories to the season of giving, Disney is inspiring fans and audiences to “Make Someone’s Holiday Magic” this year. For generations, Disney has been a part of families’ lives during the holidays, creating cherished memories that last a lifetime. Fans everywhere can celebrate the holidays with Disney at theme parks around the world, at Disney Store, on the award-winning fleet of cruise ships, and by watching timeless classics on Disney+ like Home Alone (1990) and exciting new premieres including the upcoming A Very Jonas Christmas Movie featuring the iconic trio, Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas, available to stream on November 14.

To learn about all the ways to make someone’s holiday magic, visit Disney.com/HolidayMagic.

The Walt Disney Company is committing $1 million to assist with critical relief and recovery efforts following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.

This contribution will assist Disney cast and crew in the region, as well as nonprofits providing immediate aid including UNICEF USA, World Central Kitchen and Good360. The funds will help provide emergency supplies, food, shelter and other essential services to families and communities working to rebuild after the storm.

Disney Cruise Line has maintained a port presence in Jamaica for over a decade.

“Our hearts go out to the people of Jamaica who have experienced such terrible devastation from Hurricane Melissa, including our Disney employees and their families who call the island home,” said Bob Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “We hope this contribution and the ongoing support from our team will serve as a source of relief and comfort for those in need at this difficult time.”

This donation is part of the year-round support Disney provides during times of crisis and natural disasters that impact communities where we live and work​. This support includes the Disney Employee Relief Fund, which helps cast, crew and employees recover from times of crisis or personal disaster.

Learn more about how the company’s disaster relief efforts support employees and communities year-round. For more information about how Disney gives back to Disney Cruise Line port communities around the world, visit DisneyExperiences.com and Disney Cruise Line Crew & Community on Facebook.

FuboTV Inc. and The Walt Disney Company today announced they have closed the previously announced transaction to combine Fubo’s business with Disney’s Hulu + Live TV business.

The newly combined Fubo and Hulu + Live TV business creates a truly unique virtual MVPD (vMVPD) and the sixth largest Pay TV company in the U.S with nearly 6 million subscribers in North America. The combined company offers consumers a broad set of sports, including more than 55,000 live sporting events, and entertainment-focused programming offerings from Fubo and Hulu + Live TV.

Fubo and Hulu + Live TV will continue to be available to consumers as separate and distinct services, each offering consumers multiple plan options from skinny to robust at compelling price points. Hulu + Live TV will continue to be streamed in the Hulu app and offered as part of an entertainment-focused bundle with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited. Fubo will continue to serve viewers in the Fubo app.

The combined business expects to realize cost, revenue and operational synergies through content cost savings achieved by more flexible programming packaging, advertising optimization and sales and marketing opportunities. The combined company will have access to a $145 million term loan that Disney has committed to provide Fubo in 2026 as part of the Transaction.

“It is a privilege to join Fubo as Chairman at such a transformative time for the company,” said Andy Bird, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Today’s announcement brings together two industry leading brands and a compelling set of resources that uniquely position us to meet the evolving needs of today’s consumer.”

“Since Fubo’s founding a decade ago, our vision has always been to build a consumer-first streaming platform defined by innovation and value,” said David Gandler, Co-founder and CEO of Fubo. “Together with Disney, we’re creating a more flexible streaming ecosystem that gives consumers greater choice, while driving profitability and sustainable growth.

We’re also proud to reward our retail shareholders who have supported Fubo’s mission from the very beginning. We believe this combination delivers the scale, stability and strategic clarity to create lasting value for consumers and shareholders, and indelibly impact the future of live streaming.”

Corporate Structure and Leadership

As of the Transaction closing, Disney holds an approximately 70% interest in the newly combined company with existing Fubo shareholders holding an approximately 30% interest.

Fubo’s existing management team, led by Fubo Co-founder and CEO David Gandler, will operate the newly combined Fubo and Hulu + Live TV businesses. The combined company will leverage the resources and support of Disney, and the existing Fubo management team will continue to focus on driving growth and profitability.

As part of the Transaction, the Fubo advertising sales group will transition to Disney’s advertising sales organization to deliver a premium, data-powered experience for fans and the brands that reach them.

Board of Directors 

A board of directors with depth and breadth of operational experience across finance, media, entertainment and sports in global markets has been seated to guide the strategic vision of the combined company. Newly appointed and continuing directors include:

• Andy Bird, CBE – Independent Chairman

Bird is a British media executive with more than three decades of leadership across global broadcasting, entertainment and education. He was formerly Chairman of Walt Disney International and CEO of Pearson plc, where he transformed the 180-year-old publisher into a digital-first education company.

• David Gandler – Co-founder and CEO, Fubo

Gandler, a prominent figure in global sports and media, has been Co-founder and CEO of Fubo since 2015. Through Gandler Sports Group (GSG), he is the majority owner and board member of soccer team Leyton Orient F.C., and a former co-owner of Paris FC.

• Daniel Leff – Lead Independent Director

Leff is Co-founder and Managing Partner of Waverley Capital, a media-focused venture capital fund. He is also founder and managing partner of Luminari Capital, a media-focused venture capital fund. Leff has been an investor in and/or member of the board of directors of a multitude of media companies including Endel, Fubo, Matterport, Professional Fighters League, PlutoTV (sold to Paramount), Roku, The Athletic (sold to The New York Times), Volley, Wondery (sold to Amazon) and several other companies. Daniel was also the Co-Founder and CEO of Waverley Capital Acquisition Corporation.

• Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras – Independent Director

Figueras is a renowned polo player, entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. He is currently the captain and co-owner of the Black Watch polo team and owner of Cría Yatay, a globally successful polo horse breeding operation based in Argentina. Figueras is also co-founder of the Figueras Design Group (FDG).

• Jonathan S. Headley – Independent Director

Headley is a seasoned financial executive who spent nearly 30 years at The Walt Disney Company. As Senior Vice President & Treasurer, he directed global treasury operations, bringing deep expertise in capital markets, corporate finance and risk management. Prior to joining Disney, Headley was an analyst at Goldman Sachs & Co. and a research associate at Harvard University.

• Jim Lygopoulos – Executive Vice President, People & Culture, Corporate, Direct-To-Consumer and International, Disney

Lygopoulos is an experienced HR executive with over 20 years at Disney, specializing in people and culture strategy, talent acquisition, employee relations, rewards, leadership development and organizational transformation. He has worked across Asia Pacific and the U.S., bringing international depth to the Board.

• Debra OConnell – President, ABC News Group & Disney Entertainment Networks, Disney

OConnell is a veteran Disney executive with over 25 years of leadership in broadcasting, network strategy and news. She currently oversees ABC News, ABC Owned Stations and Disney’s television networks portfolio. Ms. OConnell also has operational leadership, including P&L oversight of Disney’s multi-platform linear entertainment networks in the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

• Cathleen Taff – President, Production Services, Franchise Management & Theatrical Distribution, Disney

Taff is an accomplished entertainment executive with decades of leadership in film distribution, international operations and business strategy. As President of Distribution, Franchise Management and Business & Audience Insights at The Walt Disney Studios, she oversaw worldwide theatrical distribution and guided franchise strategy for some of the industry’s most successful brands.

• Justin Warbrooke – Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Development, Disney

Warbrooke is a veteran Disney executive with over 19 years at Disney.  He is responsible for leading M&A strategy and execution including acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures while also monitoring and optimizing Disney’s portfolio of equity interests and planning and executing new business ventures.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements of FuboTV Inc. (“Fubo”) that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our business strategy and plans, our financial results and expected capitalization, our offerings, our partnerships, our sports programming and packaging, distribution and consumer preferences, the benefits of the Transaction, including expected synergies and advantages for consumers and additional financing to be provided by Disney. The words “could,” “will,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “approximate,” “expect,” “potential,” “believe” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that Fubo makes due to a number of important factors, including but not limited to the following: our ability to achieve or maintain profitability; risks related to our access to capital and fundraising prospects to fund our financial operations and support our planned business growth; risks related to the integration of the Hulu + Live TV business; risks related to our organizational structure following completion of the Transation; our revenue and gross profit are subject to seasonality; our operating results may fluctuate; our ability to effectively manage our growth; risks related to the Transaction; the long-term nature of our content commitments; our ability to renew our long-term content contracts on sufficiently favorable terms; our ability to attract and retain subscribers; risks related to our commercial arrangements with Hulu; obligations imposed on us through our agreements with certain distribution partners; our ability to license streaming content or other rights on acceptable terms; the restrictions imposed by content providers on our distribution and marketing of our products and services; our reliance on third party platforms to operate certain aspects of our business; risks related to the difficulty in measuring key metrics related to our business; risks related to preparing and forecasting our financial results; risks related to the highly competitive nature of our industry; risks related to our technology, as well as cybersecurity and data privacy-related risks; risks related to our conversion to a Delaware corporation and our status as a “controlled company”; risks related to ongoing or future legal proceedings; and other risks, including the effects of industry, market, economic, political or regulatory conditions, future exchange and interest rates, and changes in tax and other laws, regulations, rates and policies. Further risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements are discussed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2025 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2025, to be filed with the SEC, and our other periodic filings with the SEC. We encourage you to read such risks in detail. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent Fubo’s views as of the date of this press release. Fubo anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, while it may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing Fubo’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

[1] UBS Estimates as of June 30, 2025

The Walt Disney Company reported its FY2025 third quarter earnings on Wednesday, with CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston emphasizing the company’s strong positioning within an ever-evolving industry.

“At a time of great change for our industry when a number of companies are contracting, we are operating from a position of strength and building across our company with a continued focus on quality and innovation, leveraging our integrated businesses to create value in a way that is unique to Disney,” Iger and Johnston said in an executive commentary on Wednesday.

Building Focus

Iger and Johnston highlighted examples of how Disney is building across the company:

• “We are building on the creative success at our film studios, resulting in the continued emergence of popular new franchises at a level that is unparalleled in the industry.”
• “We are building on Disney’s value proposition in streaming by combining Hulu into Disney+ to create a unified app experience featuring branded and general entertainment, news, and sports that will be a one-of-a-kind entertainment destination for subscribers.”
• “We are building ESPN into the preeminent digital sports platform with the launch of our highly anticipated Direct-to-Consumer sports offering on August 21. Our just-announced plans with the NFL would, upon closing, expand ESPN’s programming and content offerings for sports fans. And today we announced that ESPN will be the exclusive home for WWE Premium Live Events.”
• “We are building on our best-in-class parks and experiences businesses, with more expansions underway around the world than at any other time in our history.”

“These efforts reinforce that Disney is an entertainment company like no other with a robust portfolio of growth businesses that are seamlessly integrated, supported by a deep library of beloved IP and enabled with cutting-edge technology,” Iger and Johnston said.

Film & Television

Disney’s film studios continued their renewed momentum in Q3, growing our popular brands and franchises and further demonstrating their ability to generate ongoing, long-term value across our businesses.

The best example of this momentum was The Walt Disney Studios’ live-action Lilo & Stitch, which recently crossed the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office. That made Lilo & Stitch not only Hollywood’s first film to reach that milestone in 2025, but also Disney’s fourth billion-dollar-film in just over a year.

Iger and Johnston pointed out that the success of Lilo & Stitch has been seen throughout the company. It’s fueled viewership of the original 2002 animated film and related content on Disney+, with more than 640 million hours streamed globally; Lilo & Stitch is on track to become the company’s second-largest licensed merchandise franchise this year behind only Mickey Mouse; and Stitch has also been deployed across Disney’s parks and experiences worldwide. A sequel to the film is already in development.

Beyond the box office, Disney’s series displayed strong performance across streaming and linear. That includes Disney being responsible for four of the top five streaming programs in the U.S. for the first half of the calendar year. [1]

The company also earned 137 Emmy nominations last month across 50 titles — “a testament to the strength and breadth of our portfolio,” Iger and Johnston said. Leading the way was Lucasfilm’s Andor with 14 nominations.

In addition, Disney remains a leader in children’s and family programming with the three most streamed shows for preschoolers. [2]

Streaming

Iger and Johnston announced plans for, “a major step forward in strengthening our streaming offering by fully integrating Hulu into Disney+.”

“This will create an impressive package of entertainment, pairing the highest-caliber brands and franchises, great general entertainment, family programming, news, and industry-leading live sports content in a single app,” Iger and Johnston said. “By creating a truly differentiated streaming offering, we will be providing subscribers tremendous choice, convenience, quality, and enhanced personalization.”

Hulu will also become a global general entertainment brand, and in the fall, it will replace the Star tile on Disney+ internationally. Iger and Johnston added that over the coming months Disney will be “implementing numerous improvements within the Disney+ app, including exciting new features and a more personalized homepage.”

“All of this work will culminate with the unified Disney+ and Hulu streaming app experience that will be available to consumers next year,” the two said.

Sports

Speaking of streaming, Disney today announced the launch of ESPN’s long-awaited Direct-to-Consumer offering will be on August 21. The offering will include ESPN’s full suite of networks and services made directly available to fans for the first time.

Iger and Johnston also discussed the non-binding agreement announced yesterday under which ESPN will acquire NFL Network and certain other media assets owned and controlled by the NFL, providing an even richer content experience for fans, in exchange for a 10% equity stake in ESPN. [3]

Separately, ESPN and the NFL reached an agreement which includes expanded NFL highlight rights within multiple fan-engagement platforms, and more interactive features for ESPN’s DTC offering and the ESPN App, including betting and fantasy. ESPN will also gain the ability to sell and bundle NFL+ Premium, which includes NFL Network and NFL RedZone, to its ESPN DTC subscribers, along with rights to additional non-exclusive preseason NFL games for its DTC offering, both starting in the 2025 season. An additional separate agreement extends ESPN’s NFL Draft rights, with the ability to stream ESPN and ABC’s draft coverage on ESPN DTC, Hulu, and Disney+.

Separately, Iger and Johnston highlighted that ESPN will become the exclusive home for WWE Premium Live Events, further expanding ESPN’s rights portfolio.

“We are committed to offering sports fans tremendous choice, convenience, and quality,” Iger and Johnston said.

Experiences

As for Disney’s Experience segment, it delivered “another outstanding quarter driven by growth across all businesses at Domestic Parks & Experiences,” Iger and Johnston said.

“We recently celebrated Disneyland’s 70^th anniversary and Hong Kong Disneyland’s 20 anniversary, and the ongoing celebrations are receiving tremendous receptions from our guests,” the two said. “We have expansions currently underway at every one of our theme parks globally, including a new World of Frozen land opening at Disneyland Paris in 2026, Villains and Cars themed areas coming to Magic Kingdom, a Monsters Inc. area coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, an Avatar-themed destination coming to Disney California Adventure. This is in addition to a new theme park coming to Abu Dhabi.”

Disney Cruise Line is also expanding as Disney prepares to launch two new ships later this year, which will bring the company’s fleet to a total of eight.

Wrap Up

Iger and Johnston concluded their executive commentary by saying that “Disney operates in a league of its own, and our achievements this quarter demonstrate how we continue to successfully execute across our strategic priorities.”

“We are taking major steps forward in streaming with the upcoming launch of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer service, our just-announced plans with the NFL, and our forthcoming integration of Hulu into Disney+, creating a truly differentiated streaming proposition that harnesses the highest caliber brands and franchises, general entertainment, family programming, news, and industry-leading sports content,” the two continued. “With ambitious plans ahead for all of our businesses, we’re not done building, and we are excited for the company’s future.”

• [1]: According to Neilsen rankings: https://www.nielsen.com/news-center/2025/bluey-and-squid-game-top-nielsens-streaming-charts-in-first-half-of-2025/
• [2]: https://kidscreen.com/2025/05/30/disney-jr-shows-dominate-preschool-streaming-in-the-us/
• [3]: The planned transaction is subject to the parties’ negotiation of definitive agreements, regulatory and other approvals and other conditions.

The information above should be read together with Disney’s Q3 FY 25 Earnings Report, Form 10-Q, prepared earnings remarks (executive commentary), and earnings call (all available here), which discuss additional information, including additional challenges and risks the company’s businesses face and additional information about Q3 performance.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this communication may constitute “forward‐looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, plans, financial prospects, trends or outlook; transactions for which conditions for closing have not been satisfied, including entering into definitive agreements, regulatory or approvals or other conditions; content, benefits, timing and completion of future projects and product offerings; opportunities for growth and expansion; strategies and strategic priorities and opportunities; expected benefits of new initiatives; value of our intellectual property, content offerings, businesses and assets; and other statements that are not historical in nature. Any information that is not historical in nature is subject to change. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made. Management does not undertake any obligation to update these statements.

Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such differences may result from actions taken by the company, including restructuring or strategic initiatives (including capital investments, asset acquisitions or dispositions, new or expanded business lines or cessation of certain operations), our execution of our business plans (including the content we create and IP we invest in, our pricing decisions, our cost structure and our management and other personnel decisions), our ability to quickly execute on cost rationalization while preserving revenue, the discovery of additional information or other business decisions, as well as from developments beyond the company’s control, including: the occurrence of subsequent events; deterioration in domestic and global economic conditions or a failure of conditions to improve as anticipated; deterioration in or pressures from competitive conditions, including competition to create or acquire content, competition for talent and competition for advertising revenue; consumer preferences and acceptance of our content, offerings, pricing model and price increases, and corresponding subscriber additions and churn, and the market for advertising sales on our DTC streaming services and linear networks; health concerns and their impact on our businesses and productions; international, including tariffs and other trade policies, political or military developments; regulatory and legal developments; technological developments; labor markets and activities, including work stoppages; adverse weather conditions or natural disasters; and availability of content.

Such developments may further affect entertainment, travel and leisure businesses generally and may, among other things, affect (or further affect, as applicable): our operations, business plans or profitability, including direct-to-consumer profitability; demand for our products and services; the performance of the company’s content; our ability to create or obtain desirable content at or under the value we assign the content; the advertising market for programming; taxation; and performance of some or all company businesses either directly or through their impact on those who distribute our products.

Additional factors are set forth in the company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under the captions “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Business,” quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, including under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.The terms “company,” “Disney,” “we,” and “our” are used above to refer collectively to the parent company and the subsidiaries through which our various businesses are actually conducted.

Since its beginnings as an animation studio in 1923, The Walt Disney Company has blended world-class storytelling with technological innovation.

A century later, the Studio Technology team at Disney works hand-in-hand with filmmakers to carry that legacy forward into a new age. As the central technology organization for The Walt Disney Studios, the team provides scalable, secure, and innovative tech solutions to fuel boundless storytelling — from story development tools to production workflows, and much more.

“Our creatives are relentless in their pursuit of perfecting their story. So we, as technologists, are equally relentless in helping them meet that challenge,” Eddie Drake, SVP/CTO of Studio Technology, said. “Technology and filmmaking have been inseparable since its invention in the late 1800s. You can’t really have one without the other.”

Studio Technology held an expo on The Walt Disney Studios Burbank Lot in May to spotlight the team’s innovations across the Studios. “It’s an opportunity to get everybody together to showcase the breadth of our work among our peers and the stakeholders that we support,” said Drake. Their event drew nearly 1,000 employees from across the company, exploring cutting-edge technologies that power the Studios.

Disney Studio Technology’s groundbreaking contributions can be seen in popular films, like Pixar’s Elemental. Their DisneyResearch|Studios team partnered with Pixar on a technique called Volumetric Neural Style Transfer to create Ember’s stylized fiery look.

While some work can be seen directly on the silver screen, Drake explained that much of what they do takes place behind the scenes.

Empowering Creatives

A perfect example of the team’s unseen innovation? Creative enablement.

Disney Studio Technology builds tools that help filmmakers spend less time translating their vision and more time realizing it. These tools allow collaborators to better understand what’s in a filmmaker’s mind and help bring that vision to life.

Achieving that requires close collaboration with filmmakers for the delivery of cutting-edge technology. One example is their work to make production assets and previsualization more accessible for the entire pipeline and across teams.

Drake’s team is innovating on this process by developing tools that would allow directors and cinematographers to simply use a standard device — like an iPhone — to visualize the whole scene in a 3D environment ahead of the shoot. Adding to that, real film assets — like Thor’s hammer — could be pulled from a 3D asset management system and placed right into the scene to make it easier for artists to visualize their story. Leveraging real-time technologies, these tools could save time before ever stepping on set.

Touching Every Phase of the Production Pipeline & Beyond

But the work of the Disney Studio Technology team doesn’t stop there. In fact, they drive technological innovation for all areas of production lines of business, from Finance and Franchise to Marketing, Studio Operations, and so much more.

That means processing footage captured on set, providing the infrastructure for film editors to work in, managing visual effect pipelines, and supporting a global Studio Production Network consisting of high-speed transport and storage infrastructure. The team also plays the critical role of keeping Studio content secure from script to screen with innovations like watermarking.

They’ve worked to offer Disney users and fans more platforms to experience content, from pre-release screenings for industry professionals in Debut to in-home releases in Movies Anywhere, which allows users to stream and download purchased films.

Disney Studio Technology even takes a step beyond the films, testing new ways for fans to experience the digital characters they know and love in the real world. One such example is Real-Time Rocket, an interactive Rocket Raccoon from Guardians of the Galaxy that can respond to fans live. Disney StudioLAB (previously part of Studio Technology) worked with Industrial Light & Magic, Marvel Studios, and Disney Live Entertainment to bring this project to life.

“We demonstrated a full-scale version of Rocket, who could be puppeteered in real time and interact with guests at D23 [The Ultimate Disney Fan Event],” Drake said of the first time this life-size Rocket was shared with fans. It went on to win the Visual Effects Society (VES) award for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project.

Building on Disney’s rich legacy of innovation, Studio Technology is always looking one step ahead to support the Studios’ beloved films and shows. As Drake noted, the team is “continuing the tradition that Walt Disney established with his original studio technology team over a century ago — to continue pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.”

Today, Coca-Cola and Disney announced a thrilling new collaboration, “Coca-Cola x Star Wars: Refresh Your Galaxy.” Building on Coca-Cola’s 70-year relationship with Disney, beginning with the opening of Disneyland Resort in 1955, this global campaign spotlights the power of Star Wars fandom that unites and drives us to create and celebrate meaningful human connections.

“A cornerstone of Disney’s collaboration with Coca-Cola continues to be creating campaigns in honor of fans,” said Mindy Hamilton, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing Partnerships at The Walt Disney Company. “Star Wars is a powerful cultural force around the world, with millions of fans across generations who carry these stories off the screen and into their lives. This custom campaign is for them and inspired by them.”

Islam ElDessouky, Global Vice President Creative Strategy & Content at Coca-Cola, added, “For generations, Coca-Cola and Disney have shared a commitment to creating moments of joy and human connection. This collaboration is about more than just bringing together two iconic brands — it’s about celebrating the power of Star Wars fandom, shared passions, and the strength of community when we lift each other up.”

The out-of-this-world collaboration brings together the magic of Coca-Cola with the epic storytelling of Disney and Star Wars, celebrating the connections that unite us across galaxies, generations, and fandoms. This is done through limited-edition Coca-Cola pack designs featuring iconic Star Wars characters, captivating creative content, and an innovative augmented reality (AR) experience that allows fans to share uplifting messages of community and connection in the style of a Star Wars hologram transmission.

“With this campaign, we wanted to work with Coca-Cola to reach fans in new ways,” said Becca Vodnoy, SVP of Corporate Alliances at The Walt Disney Company. “The campaign showcases iconic scenes, so fans feel like they are immersed in the world with the characters they love.”

The multi-faceted campaign will engage Star Wars fans around the world, supported by creative content across television, digital platforms, and out-of-home activations — the type of collaboration that can only happen when Disney and Coca-Cola come together.

This is a “natural and easy” evolution of the two brands’ longstanding relationship, according to ElDessouky. “Both brands believe in connection and in in uplifting the human spirit,” he said. “We both believe fandoms and communities are the heart of everything we do.”

“Coca-Cola x Star Wars: Refresh Your Galaxy” kicks off with creative content set in a movie theater, a culturally iconic location for Star Wars and Coca-Cola. From discovering the hum of a lightsaber to experiencing movie marathons, the cinema has long been a powerful place to capture the “Real Magic” of Star Wars and Coca-Cola — which is why it’s front and center in this campaign.

“It’s all about building community,” Vodnoy said. “The spot shows the fandom coming together, dressed as their favorite characters, being playful with each other and having fun in the moment. There’s a sense of togetherness. This was made for the fans, and this is a story that only we could create together — one that we’re showing in an unexpected way.”

ElDessouky added, “That’s the beauty of Star Wars and Coca-Cola: They bring generations together.”

The 30 limited-edition cans and bottles — available for purchase in select markets around the world — will showcase iconic Star Wars characters and scenes.

“The Star Wars universe is very expansive, so we wanted to make sure there was something for every fan,” Vodnoy said of choosing which characters and scenes to feature. “There are designs for original fans from 1977 and ones for the fans who are just discovering Star Wars today.”

With so much iconic imagery to work with, Disney and Coca-Cola “wanted to put the fans at the heart of the decision-making,” ElDessouky added. “We at Coca-Cola are Star Wars fans ourselves, so we thought about the designs from the fans’ perspective: ‘What do you want to see? What do you expect to see? And what will go beyond your expectations?’”

The campaign will feature beloved Star Wars characters for fans to collect, including:

• Original Taste: Lando Calrissian, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Queen Amidala, Kylo Ren, Ahsoka Tano, Darth Maul, K-2SO, Boba Fett, Poe Dameron, The Mandalorian, Cassian Andor, General Grievous, and Emperor Palpatine
• Zero Sugar: Darth Vader, Yoda, Princess Leia, Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, Han Solo, BB-8, C-3PO, R2-D2, Finn, Rey, Grogu, and an Imperial Stormtrooper

In addition, there will be three character designs available only at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California: The Mandalorian and Grogu; First Order Stormtrooper; and Chewbacca.

And that’s not all. By scanning the QR codes on Coca-Cola cans and advertisements, fans can unlock an AR digital experience and learn about all the collectible cans with beloved characters from the Star Wars universe. Through the experience, fans can record a video of themselves that will be transformed into a Star Wars-style hologram transmission that can be used to share an uplifting message of community empowerment with friends and family.

“Fandom is all about authenticity, and that really drove and governed how this entire campaign came to life,” ElDessouky said. “The idea of creating a hologram of yourself and transmitting messages in a classic Star Wars way is a beautiful experience for everybody.”

Starting in July, fans can start collecting characters from this exciting new collaboration in stores in select markets around the world. This collaboration will be available in select markets in North America, Latin America, Europe, Japan, and Asia South Pacific.

The “Coca-Cola x Star Wars: Refresh Your Galaxy” campaign couldn’t come at a better moment, said Vodnoy: “Between Andor Season 2 on Disney+, everything that’s going on in our parks, and a new movie coming out in 2026, this is a great time to be a Star Wars fan.”

If you’ve ever seen a child light up on stage singing, dancing, or stepping into character for the first time, you know the power of theater. For over 16 years, Disney Musicals in Schools has helped build lasting theater programs at under-resourced schools, bringing the magic of a first performance to more than 100,000 kids in select cities across the U.S. and U.K. Now, Disney is expanding the program nationwide through Stage Connect, a free new online platform that guides teachers through producing a successful school musical, regardless of prior experience. Hosted by Broadway stars L. Steven Taylor (Mufasa) and Bonita Hamilton (Shenzi) from The Lion King, Stage Connect will offer engaging video courses and downloadable resources to empower educators and help kids across the country broaden their horizons through a shared storytelling experience with peers and caring adults.

In addition to educator training, Disney Musicals in Schools also provides free access to a 30-minute Disney KIDS musical, a Disney musical tailored specifically for elementary school performers, including fan favorites like , Finding Nemo, The Lion King, 101 Dalmatians, and more. Teachers also receive a full ShowKit with everything needed to stage the production: scripts, director’s guides, choreography videos, rehearsal tracks, and more.“Disney Musicals in Schools is designed to spark creativity, foster a love for the arts, and help kids gain valuable skills such as confidence, empathy, and collaboration — all while experiencing the joy of putting on a show” says Lisa Mitchell, Director of Education & Audience Engagement at Disney Theatrical Group. “All kids deserve access to the arts, and we’re hopeful Stage Connect can bring us one step closer to that goal.” While Disney Musicals in Schools is expanding nationwide, existing programs continue to grow. With the current school year coming to an end, elementary students across the country had the opportunity to debut their performances and celebrate with their communities on stage.

In Orlando, Florida, 360 students from six local schools performed a scene and song from their Disney KIDS musicals in a special showcase at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts after receiving materials for costumes and set pieces for their productions from Walt Disney World.

In New York City, students from nine local schools performed at the New Amsterdam Theater, in a production hosted by Bonita J. Hamilton who plays Shenzi in Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway, and L. Steven Taylor who plays Mufasa“We’re proud to bring these timeless stories to more communities, not just to entertain, but to enrich. When kids take the stage, they discover their voice, their confidence, and their creativity. Disney Musicals in Schools is all about inspiring kids in ways only Disney can,” said Lisa Haines, Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, The Walt Disney Company.Applications for the 2025-2026 Disney Musicals in Schools: Stage Connect program are due Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Visit disneymusicalsinschool.com/stageconnect to find out if your school is eligible and submit an application.Learn more about Disney’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of storytellers at impact.disney.com.

Disney and Formula 1 today announced an exciting new collaboration with Mickey & Friends that will begin in 2026.

Disney’s Mickey Mouse is one of the most beloved and recognizable characters of all time, and now fans can look forward to seeing Mickey & Friends in the high-speed world of Formula 1 through experiences, content, and merchandise around the globe.

The new relationship is turbocharged by the two brands’ shared affinity for creativity, entertainment, and innovation, bringing fans together around the globe through unforgettable and one-of-a-kind experiences. More information will be shared on the activity in the coming months.

“As we celebrate nearly a century of Mickey Mouse & Friends, our collaboration with Formula 1 offers a unique opportunity to bring two powerhouse entertainment properties together to create products that fans will love,” Tasia Filippatos, Disney Consumer Products President, said. “This exciting collaboration will unfold across a global stage, with unforgettable content and experiences tailored for Disney and F1 fans alike.

Emily Prazer, Chief Commercial Officer, Formula 1, said, “Our collaboration with Disney is set to be a brilliant one, as we introduce the world of Mickey & Friends to our fans, and vice versa. It fits perfectly with our strategy to step outside the world of sport and into a broader consumer market, and in return we’re introducing Disney to our 820 million fans worldwide. It’s a fantastic match as both brands are known for pushing boundaries and bringing entertainment and excitement to millions, so I can’t wait to see what our teams come up with for the circuit and beyond.”

In recent years Formula 1 has seen a huge surge in growth with younger fans and data shows that more than 4 million children aged 8-12 now actively follow the sport across the EU and US, while 54% of followers on TikTok and 40% on Instagram are now under 25 years old.

Additional details will be shared in the coming months on how fans can join Mickey & Friends on their Formula 1 adventure. Follow @mickeymouse and @f1 on social media to keep up to date on how the iconic characters are going to be living life in the fast lane in 2026.

Disney opened its 2025 Upfront with a show-stopping moment as NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Saquon Barkley took the stage to introduce Disney CEO , setting an electric tone for the presentation. What followed was a powerful showcase of Disney’s unrivaled scale across sports, streaming, entertainment, and technology — brought to life by a star-studded parade of over 100 talent. With a clear message to the marketplace, Disney reinforced its leadership position and bold vision for the future — delivering the content, capabilities, and culture that continue to shape the industry.

Rita Ferro, President of Global Advertising, emphasized Disney’s exceptional value for advertisers and agency partners — which now reaches 164 million global ad-supported monthly active users and delivers 200,000 hours of premium content and unmatched ad experiences.

With the upcoming launch of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer offering, and recently rolled out Disney Experience Composer and Disney Compass, Ferro emphasized Disney’s commitment to redefining what’s possible in advertising — through scale, innovation and storytelling.

Key Highlights from the Stage:

Welcomed by Drum Major Mickey Mouse and the Brooklyn United Drumline, Super Bowl champions Patrick Mahomes and Saquon Barkley kicked off the show with an introduction to The Walt Disney Company’s Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger.

Peyton and Eli Manning proved their skills go far beyond the football field as they broke into a live musical performance featuring stars from TV’s biggest hits including High Potential (Kaitlin Olson), Paradise (Sterling K. Brown), Get Up (Mike Greenberg) and Abbott Elementary (Sheryl Lee Ralph). Together, the group assisted the NFL greats in a formal pitch to executives for more projects across Disney brands, featuring none other than the Manning brothers.

America’s favorite chefs, Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, from FX’s critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning hit series The Bear revealed the anticipated fourth season will debut June 25 on Hulu, with all 10 episodes available beginning at 8pm ET, and on Disney+ internationally.

ESPN’s powerhouse women’s college basketball and WNBA analysts — Elle Duncan, Andraya Carter and Chiney Ogwumike — announced the brand-new female-led sports show, Vibe Check, which features an all-female roster highlighting the biggest stories in sports.

Representing Moana, the most streamed film on Disney+, Auli’i Cravalho was joined onstage by Ginnifer Goodwin, from Disney’s Zootopia, who teased the upcoming theatrical release of Zootopia 2.

As the exclusive home for all things Star Wars, Andor’s Diego Luna and Ahsoka’s Hayden Christensen surprised the room with a thrilling stage takeover featuring Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, and the Mandalorian.

Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope and Ashton Kutcher unveiled a first look at FX’s upcoming series The Beauty, followed by a video from Kim Kardashian — executive producer and star of Hulu’s All’s Fair — who introduced co-stars Glenn Close, Sarah Paulson, Niecy Nash-Betts and Teyana Taylor to reveal the drama’s first teaser trailer.

Brought out by Goofy and the Brooklyn United Drumline, ESPN and SEC Network host and reporter, Laura Rutledge, and University of Texas Longhorns Head Football Coach, Steve Sarkisian celebrated the innovative streaming technology that helped deliver over 140 billion minutes of live game consumption during last year’s college football season.

Glen Powell introduced the new face of college football — Chad Powers — and revealed that the upcoming Hulu comedy series is set to premiere on September 30 with two episodes at launch.

NFL legends and ESPN stars Jason Kelce, Joe Buck, and Troy Aikman welcomed back Saquon Barkley to talk about the upcoming Monday Night football season, the strength of the NFL on ESPN and Super Bowl LXI coming to ABC and ESPN in 2027. Later, Patrick Mahomes joined Jason to announce the title and debut a first look at The Kingdom — an upcoming six-episode ESPN Original Series documenting the storied history of the Kansas City Chiefs.

New York Knicks legends Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston and John Starks joined ESPN basketball analyst Monica McNutt onstage to reinforce Disney’s role as the exclusive home of the NBA Finals, ten exclusive NBA Conference Finals through 2035, along with all five NBA games on Christmas Day.

She’s back! Krysten Ritter, who greeted attendees alongside co-star and Daredevil himself, Charlie Cox, joins the second season of Daredevil: Born Again and reprises her role as Jessica Jones.

An unexpected, spine-tingling Alien: Earth invasion brought disruption, chaos and the infamous Xenomorph to the North Javits Center. Shortly after, Sydney Chandler, Timothy Olyphant, and Babou Ceesay shared an early look at the highly anticipated series, premiering on August 12 with the first two episodes available to stream on Hulu and the FX linear channel, and on Disney+ internationally.

Jimmy Kimmel closed the show with a razor-sharp roast, proving once again: no one delivers unforgettable entertainment like Disney.

On Tuesday, The Walt Disney Company will hold its annual star-studded Upfront presentation at the North Javits Center in New York City.

This year’s event will highlight Disney as a global advertising force at the intersection of streaming, entertainment, and sports. Combining best-in-class storytelling with advanced technology and data-driven solutions, Disney will also showcase exciting announcements about its unrivaled content portfolio across sports, entertainment, and live programming.

To showcase how Disney utilizes its strong portfolio of content that reach consumers across a variety of distribution channels, we spoke with Rita Ferro, Disney’s President of Global Advertising.

As is typically the case, the Disney upfront is chock full of announcements. What can we expect from this year’s showcase?

You’re going to see the power of The Walt Disney Company in its full splendor on stage with a real focus on the things that marketers are looking for, which is growth in sports, growth in streaming, and a continued investment around the tentpoles on broadcast and cable that really move their business.

We’ve seen this year that college football really drove a ton of upside and opportunity across our portfolio. It was the new format, it was having the SEC on ESPN, it was College GameDay and that cast that sits at the desk, which is unbelievable to watch them interact live from the locations where the fans are.

For us that is really the most important message, which is: because we’re one Disney and we go to market together, we have the unique offering of the most important sports, the most important live events, the largest scale in premium streaming, and that offers the greatest flexibility for brands as they want to make sure that they can manage their advertising dollars and growth around their business.

Now, of all those things, what do you think is the biggest differentiator for Disney in the advertising space?

It’s really two. First, it’s the size and depth and breadth of our sports portfolio and the rights that we have, which are really driving growth and conversation, and it’s the scale in streaming and premium streaming. Entertainment is driven by streaming. The dollars continue to move there. There’s more people launching AVOD [Ad-supported Video on Demand] tiers across the marketplace and competitive platforms, but we still have the shows that resonate with audiences and the franchises that are winning all the awards. And that continues to be a really important consideration when people think of brand safe environments and putting their brands where audiences are coming to watch.

And sports is a massive driver of marketing funds and dollars. Which brings me to our second differentiator: We have close to 70 multiyear deals today and more in the works. Clients are wanting to spend more time where brands are showing up, and it’s live. And live is a big differentiator in the marketplace right now, which is why even ABC, when you think of all of the award shows from Oscars to Country Music Awards, to New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, The Bachelor, all of those shows that bring brands in that allow them to engage audiences at scale in real time, drive social conversation, search — all the things that matter to marketers.

Disney has unmatched scale both in terms of its consumer touchpoints and content offerings. What does that scale mean in terms of Disney’s audience engagement?

It’s super important because that means when consumers come to the platform, they can find something they want to watch and continue to spend time finding new content, new experiences. We know having scale matters because the way brands buy, they want to give an advertising message to a consumer, but they want to manage how many times that consumer sees a message.

So, if you have a platform with limited scale in streaming, for example, then you very quickly run out of opportunities for brands to show up thoughtfully. Because they’ll send their creative message once or twice and then you’ve moved on to the next opportunity that’s not on their platform because they don’t have the scale.

On the sports side, it continues to drive bigger opportunity because we have so many brands that want to be there in the same category. So, when you think of fast food or autos or beauty categories, we work with 20, sometimes 30+ brands in those categories. So, to have scale at our level allows you to work with all of them efficiently. If you are a very small brand or a very small platform, you wouldn’t have the bandwidth to do that.

Disney — helped by the strength of ESPN — is a leader in sports distribution, especially in the areas of women’s, college, and niche sports. What are the benefits for Disney in having such an industry leading sports portfolio?

Oh, it’s a game changer, right? We are the sports destination for sports fans, for brands, and how we make partnerships happen in the marketplace. And women’s sports, that you mentioned, in particular. We’ve been in that business for years. While everybody else is getting in the game with women’s sports, ESPN has been a long-time advocate and supporter with over 65% of live women’s sports rights on our platform.

The live games are what moves advertising dollars. And we own that category outright. We are the experts. We’ve been in it for years. And more and more brands are coming to look for female sports athletes across our platform and to invest in that space.

And you talked about the college football championships across women. We have all of the ones that matter. So while basketball and soccer are awesome, we also have softball and lacrosse and volleyball and gymnastics. All of these sports that have tremendous audiences and brands want to be where audiences are, and female consumers are important consumers in terms of many brand categories.

How is technology that we utilize for our advertising partners — such as our recently rolled out biddable ad tech advancements — a difference maker when it comes to advertising?

That biddable roll out was really important because more and more sales cycles are becoming shorter. The Upfront period is a time where people make reservations, it’s a futures market. So, you’re making reservations against big tentpole opportunities, big things that you don’t want to miss, right? And if you don’t buy now, they might not be available in real time.

But then there’s a significant amount of money that moves in real time and biddable allows you to apply the insights about your customers and your brands, match it with the platforms, brands, data, and be able to really target for outcomes that you’re looking for.

And so, enabling biddable in live environments when so much of our supply is now live. When you think of not only sports, but broadcast, really is going to allow brands to spend in different ways and allow us to work with different demand side platforms in the marketplace to really drive fill, which ultimately drives yield and price up.

Disney has so much to look forward to this year, such as the launch of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer offering. How does this year’s Upfront presentation set the stage for Disney’s advertising business going forward?

It starts to talk about the importance of technology. We are an incredible storytelling company. We are also an incredible technology company with innovation at its core, and we want to enable fans to watch and consume on whatever platform they want, wherever they want, with surrounding experiences that intuitively speak to not only their live, but social, how they engage around ancillary behaviors: shopping, search, streaming, anything that they want to do around that.

When you think of even fantasy or sports betting for a sports consumer, the ability to have that all in one place personalized for you as a consumer, that’s game-changing for our business. That’s all enabled through the technology investments we’ve made. And so we continue to grow and accelerate in that space, and that’s only going to enable a bigger opportunity to work with brands in the future.

The Walt Disney Company reported its FY2025 second quarter earnings on Wednesday, with CEO Bob Iger speaking from Abu Dhabi — the future location of the seventh Disney theme park resort.

“In the 102-year history of The Walt Disney Company, there have been many defining moments, and countless achievements. One such moment was the opening of Disneyland in 1955. Now, 70 years later, having entertained four billion guests across six Disney theme park destinations around the world, we are celebrating another great moment in our storied history,” Iger said during his post-earnings remarks on Wednesday.

The seventh Disney theme park resort, which was announced earlier on Wednesday, “will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” he added.

“This seventh Disney theme park resort will rise from the shores of this land in spectacular fashion, blending wonderful Disney stories and characters with the cultures and tastes of this country and this region,” he said. “It will combine contemporary architecture and cutting-edge technology with the timeless magic of Disney to offer guests deeply immersive experiences in unique and modern ways.”

Iger continued by saying that “our focus must always be on building for tomorrow as much as it is on managing for today.”

“That eye toward the future and driving growth is central to the important work we’ve done advancing our four strategic priorities, and looking at our second quarter results, we’re making excellent progress,” he said.

Moving to Disney’s entertainment segment, Iger noted that “our feature films continue to enjoy success at the global box office. Thunderbolts* from Marvel Studios opened this past week. It is currently the No. 1 movie in the world, and the best reviewed Marvel film in the last few years.”

Iger said that the company is excited about its upcoming theatrical slate for the remainder of the year. The slate includes this month’s highly anticipated live-action Lilo & Stitch, Pixar’s Elio in June, Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July, August’s Freakier Friday, November’s Zootopia 2 from Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Avatar: Fire and Ash in December.

He also mentioned that Disney is “quite pleased with the performance of our general entertainment and news programming.”

As for streaming, Iger said it remains “a key priority and a core growth platform for Disney, and as we move forward, our improvements in the product will continue to enhance the user experience.”

When it comes to ESPN, Iger highlighted that “sports viewership trends continue to be healthy.”

“ESPN’s Q2 primetime audience among the key 18-49 demographic was up 32%, making it ESPN’s most watched Q2 in primetime ever, driven by ESPN’s fantastic programming, including NFL and College Football, the NCAA Women’s basketball tournament, and other exciting events,” he said.

Iger also brought up the launch of ESPN’s exciting new direct-to-consumer product offering, saying that “we look forward to sharing pricing and timing details very soon.”

Iger concluded Wednesday’s earnings call by reiterating that it’s been “an excellent first half of the fiscal year, with strong results powered by our disciplined and focused growth strategy.”

The information above should be read together with Disney’s Q2 FY 25 Earnings Report, Form 10-Q, prepared earnings remarks (executive commentary), and earnings call (all available here), which discuss additional information, including additional challenges and risks the company’s businesses face and additional information about Q2 performance.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this communication may constitute “forward‐looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, plans, financial prospects, trends or outlook; opportunities for growth and expansion; strategies and strategic priorities and opportunities; expected benefits of new initiatives; value of our intellectual property, content offerings, businesses and assets; and other statements that are not historical in nature. Any information that is not historical in nature is subject to change. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made. Management does not undertake any obligation to update these statements.

Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such differences may result from actions taken by the company, including restructuring or strategic initiatives (including capital investments, asset acquisitions or dispositions, new or expanded business lines or cessation of certain operations), our execution of our business plans (including the content we create and IP we invest in, our pricing decisions, our cost structure and our management and other personnel decisions), our ability to quickly execute on cost rationalization while preserving revenue, the discovery of additional information or other business decisions, as well as from developments beyond the company’s control, including: the occurrence of subsequent events; deterioration in domestic and global economic conditions or a failure of conditions to improve as anticipated; deterioration in or pressures from competitive conditions, including competition to create or acquire content, competition for talent and competition for advertising revenue; consumer preferences and acceptance of our content, offerings, pricing model and price increases, and corresponding subscriber additions and churn, and the market for advertising sales on our DTC streaming services and linear networks; health concerns and their impact on our businesses and productions; international, including tariffs and other trade policies, political or military developments; regulatory and legal developments; technological developments; labor markets and activities, including work stoppages; adverse weather conditions or natural disasters; and availability of content.Such developments may further affect entertainment, travel and leisure businesses generally and may, among other things, affect (or further affect, as applicable): our operations, business plans or profitability, including direct-to-consumer profitability; demand for our products and services; the performance of the company’s content; our ability to create or obtain desirable content at or under the value we assign the content; the advertising market for programming; taxation; and performance of some or all company businesses either directly or through their impact on those who distribute our products.

Additional factors are set forth in the company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under the captions “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Business,” quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, including under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.The terms “company,” “Disney,” “we,” and “our” are used above to refer collectively to the parent company and the subsidiaries through which our various businesses are actually conducted.

The Walt Disney Company and Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, announced an agreement to create a landmark Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The waterfront resort will be located on Yas Island, a world-class destination for entertainment and leisure, connecting travelers from the Middle East and Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and beyond. This seventh Disney theme park resort will combine Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture.

“Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future,” His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, said. “The collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Disney demonstrates the remarkable results of combining visionary leadership and creative excellence. What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination — an experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world, creating magical moments and memories that families will treasure forever. Through the development of unique attractions and experiences, Abu Dhabi continues to be a destination of choice for the world.”

The new resort will be fully developed and built by Miral. Disney and its legendary Imagineers will lead creative design and operational oversight to provide a world-class experience. Miral, which has developed a number of family entertainment destinations on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi in collaboration with American and European brands, will operate the resort.

“This is a thrilling moment for our company as we announce plans to build an exciting Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, whose culture is rich with an appreciation of the arts and creativity,” said Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati – an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world that will bring to life our timeless characters and stories in many new ways and will become a source of joy and inspiration for the people of this vast region to enjoy for generations to come.”

The UAE is located within a four-hour flight of one-third of the world’s population, making it a significant gateway for tourism. The UAE is home to the largest global airline hub in the world, with 120 million passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai each year.

“This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences. “Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. The location of our park is incredibly unique – anchored by a beautiful waterfront – which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways. This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before. Ultimately, it will be a celebration of what’s possible when creativity and progress come together.”

“Bringing a Disney theme park resort to Yas Island marks a historic milestone in our journey to further advance the island’s position as a global destination for exceptional entertainment and leisure,” said Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral. “Together, we are creating a place of boundless innovation, where the vision of our leadership continues to inspire the world.” The development of unique experiences will support sustained economic growth in Abu Dhabi and beyond.

Upon completion, the new theme park resort will offer signature Disney entertainment, themed accommodations, unique dining and retail experiences, and storytelling in a way that celebrates both the heritage of Disney and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi.

Applications are now open for the 2025 Disney Accelerator program. The industry-leading corporate accelerator program is beginning its second decade of propelling growth-stage startups at the forefront of their fields, by bringing them together with the unique creativity, innovation, and acumen of The Walt Disney Company for an intensive three-month program.The marriage of creativity and technology has always been core to Disney’s success and leadership. Disney Accelerator fosters that same blend of innovation and imagination, offering a unique opportunity for selected startups to connect with the Company’s leadership, and tap into its one-of-a-kind expertise to explore and develop new entertainment experiences, technology, and products.“Technological curiosity and innovation have always been foundational hallmarks of Disney’s storytelling, allowing our creatives to make ever-changing magic that delights each generation of fans and guests,” said Bonnie Rosen, General Manager, Disney Accelerator. “Today, that extends to all the horizons of media, sports, and experiences, and we’re incredibly excited to welcome a new cohort of companies who share our passion for always reimagining the future.”Over the past 10 years, Disney Accelerator has super-charged some of the world’s most innovative startups, including Epic Games, Kahoot, Eleven Labs, Status Pro and many more. In all, 65 companies have had investments and collaborations with Disney as a result of the Disney Accelerator.

Insider the Accelerator

The Disney Accelerator program offers a unique opportunity for selected cutting-edge startups that align with Disney’s vision for the future of entertainment and technology. As part of the program, Disney provides participating companies with investment capital, access to co-working space at Disney’s campus, and mentorship and guidance from top Disney executives and their teams.This year’s program kicks off in July and culminates with a Demo Day in November, where participants will showcase what they have developed and explored with Disney.

Calling All Innovators

Disney Accelerator is welcoming growth-stage startups with innovative technologies and business concepts that align with and complement The Walt Disney Company’s portfolio of products, experiences, and businesses.Companies in all fields are welcomed to apply, though the 2025 Disney Accelerator has a particular focus on those working at the forefront of extended reality (XR) and immersive media, artificial intelligence & machine learning, sports technology, robotics/embodied AI, connected play, haptics, and Generation Alpha experiences.

Eligibility

The Disney Accelerator program is open to venture-backed, growth-stage startups with a vision for making an impact on the future of technology and entertainment. Cohorts range from 5 to 10 companies.To learn more about terms and eligibility, see these FAQs.CLICK PHOTO TO WATCH: 2024 Disney Accelerator Demo Day

Applications for the 2025 Disney Accelerator are now open and interested companies can apply now

The Walt Disney Company held its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Thursday, with CEO Bob Iger showcasing the company’s “perfect marriage of exceptional creativity and groundbreaking technological achievement” which, Iger noted, “has always set Disney apart.”

“Since the company’s earliest years under Walt, technology has always been viewed as a powerful storytelling tool, and innovation has been in our DNA since the start,” Iger said in a video message from the headquarters of Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale, California.

Iger was then joined by an ideal example of this “perfect marriage:” a flock of BDX droids. These droids, which have greeted guests at Disneyland, will now make their way to the big screen in The Mandalorian and Grogu — next year’s highly anticipated Star Wars film.

“Imaginative technology like this allows us to expand our creative abilities and tell our stories in compelling new ways, both in our parks and in our films and series,” Iger said.

This seamless integration of innovative technology and world-class storytelling, further enhanced by the company’s multiple consumer touch points, contributed to Disney’s many successes over the last year.

Studios: An Outstanding Year

Iger continued his remarks by noting that in 2024, Disney’s theatrical business had an “outstanding year at the global box office following our reorganization that restored creativity to the center of our studios.”

That success was fueled by the company’s popular franchises, including the top three movies of 2024: Pixar’s Inside Out 2, Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine, and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana 2.

Disney had a big year critically as well.

“Our renewed focus on quality over quantity has also resulted in outstanding critical success,” Iger said, noting that the company won a record-breaking 60 Emmy® Awards, led by Shōgun and The Bear. Iger also pointed out that Disney received 15 Oscar® nominations, with Kieran Culkin winning Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Searchlight Pictures’ A Real Pain.

Looking ahead, Iger announced that a sequel to Coco, Pixar’s 2017 Academy Award winning film, is in the works.

“While the film is just in the initial stages, we know it will be full of humor, heart, and adventure,” he said.

Streaming: All In One Place

One thing all these films and series have in common, Iger added, is that ultimately “they will all be accessible on Disney+,” which expands Disney’s “rich library of a century’s worth of storytelling.”

“By giving subscribers the option to watch what they love most from across the worlds of Disney, all in one place, we are turning Disney+ into the ultimate streaming destination,” Iger said. “With the recent additions of the Hulu and ESPN tiles on Disney+, we’ve created a seamless streaming experience that is both convenient and user-friendly, resulting in higher engagement for our bundle subscribers.”

And when ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer offering launches in early fall, subscribers will have the option to access the full suite of ESPN’s networks, as well as ESPN+, from inside Disney+.

Disney Experiences: Projects Underway

Iger then shifted to Disney’s Experiences segment.

“Last year we talked about our plans to turbocharge growth in this segment through strategic investments. Today I’m proud to share some of what we’ve been up to,” Iger said. “Right now, we have more projects underway around the world than at any time in our history.”

That includes Magic Kingdom undergoing its largest expansion ever (including a new area inspired by Cars and the much-anticipated Villains-themed land), A Monsters Inc. themed land coming to Hollywood Studios (featuring the company’s first-ever vertical lift coaster), a new Tropical Americas land coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom (with attractions based on Encanto and Indiana Jones), doubling the size of Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure, and much more.

“Guests are going to love the many new offerings coming to our theme parks, and we’re proud of the positive economic impact these projects will have in the communities in which we operate, including creating thousands of new jobs in Florida and California,” he said.

At sea, Disney Cruise Line is also growing, which will allow Disney to “double our capacity to reach millions more people around the world,” according to Iger.

“All of these projects, as well as our $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games to bring a transformational new games and entertainment universe to Fortnite, reinforce how we are giving consumers the opportunity to experience our popular IP in exciting and innovative ways,” he said.

Positive Impact

Iger then explained that “at Disney, we’ve always believed it’s important to be one of the world’s most admired companies — not only for what we create, but for the positive impact we have.”

He noted that in the wake of the devasting wildfires in Southern California, the company committed $15 million to the recovery efforts, adding that it’s “been especially inspiring to see how our employees have stepped up to assist their neighbors in need, with the Disney VoluntEARS team quickly mobilizing to put on one of the largest disaster relief drives in our company’s history.”

He also spoke about Disney’s enduring commitment to supporting veterans, the company’s longstanding relationship with Make-A-Wish, and the impact of a years-long initiative supporting children’s hospitals.

“We remain the No. 1 wish-granter in the world for children facing critical illness, and on average Disney grants a child’s wish every hour of every day,” he said. “In addition, last year we fulfilled our $100 million commitment to enhance the children’s hospital experience for both patients and their families. Walt believed deeply in the power of happiness and imagination to lift children’s spirits, even in the most difficult times, and that continues to guide us today.”

There’s Never Been a Better Time to Be a Storyteller

Iger concluded his remarks by returning to the theme of technology.

“Thanks to modern technology, there’s never been a better time to be a storyteller,” he said. “Today, we have the ability to greatly enhance the quality of our storytelling and to reach more people, in more places, in more ways than ever before.”

He continued, “As you reflect on everything we’ve shared with you today — from the renewed creative momentum at our studios, to the bold direction of our streaming and sports strategies, to the focused investments we’re making in our Experiences business, to how we’re expertly leveraging technology in all that we do, I hope you are inspired and energized by the limitless possibilities before us.”

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and information in this communication may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the Company’s expectations; beliefs; plans; strategies; priorities and opportunities; future performance; business or financial prospects or outlook and drivers; future investments and content, products, experiences or service offerings (including timing and nature); value of our businesses and assets; expected benefits of new offerings, initiatives and investments; and other statements that are not historical in nature. Any information that is not historical in nature included in this communication is subject to change. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance and plans as of the time the statements are made. Management does not undertake any obligation to update these statements unless required by applicable laws or regulations, and you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such differences may result from actions taken by the Company, including restructuring or strategic initiatives (including capital investments, asset acquisitions or dispositions, new or expanded business lines or cessation of certain operations), our execution of our business plans (including the content we create and intellectual property we invest in, our pricing decisions, our cost structure and our management and other personnel decisions), our ability to execute on cost rationalization while preserving revenue, the discovery of additional information or other business decisions, as well as from developments beyond the Company’s control, including: the occurrence of subsequent events; deterioration in domestic and global economic conditions or failure of conditions to improve as anticipated; deterioration in or pressures from competitive conditions, including competition to create or acquire content, competition for talent and competition for advertising revenue, consumer preferences and acceptance of our content, offerings, pricing model and price increases, and corresponding subscriber additions and churn, and the market for advertising sales on our direct-to-consumer streaming services and linear networks; health concerns and their impact on our businesses and productions; international, political or military developments; regulatory and legal developments; technological developments; labor markets and activities, including work stoppages; adverse weather conditions or natural disasters; and availability of content.Such developments may further affect entertainment, travel and leisure businesses generally and may, among other things, affect (or further affect, as applicable): our operations, business plans or profitability, including direct-to-consumer profitability; demand for our products and services; the performance of the Company’s content; our ability to create or obtain desirable content at or under the value we assign the content; the advertising market for programming; taxation; and performance of some or all Company businesses either directly or through their impact on those who distribute our products.

Additional factors are set forth in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under the captions “Risk Factors”, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business”, and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including, among others, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.The terms “Company,” “Disney,” “we,” and “our” are used above to refer collectively to the parent company and the subsidiaries through which our various businesses are actually conducted.

The Walt Disney Company reported its FY2025 first quarter earnings on Wednesday, with CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston discussing how the company’s results this quarter demonstrate Disney’s “creative and financial strength as we advanced strategic growth initiatives set in motion over the past two years.”

Business Focus

“In Q1 we saw outstanding box office performance from our studios, which had the top three movies of 2024; we further improved the profitability of our Entertainment DTC streaming businesses; we took an important step to advance ESPN’s digital strategy by adding an ESPN tile on Disney+; and our Experiences segment demonstrated its enduring appeal as we continue investing strategically across the globe,” Iger and Johnston said in an executive commentary on Wednesday.

Film

Iger and Johnston noted that the company’s theatrical releases had an outstanding run at the global box office in calendar year 2024, with Disney becoming the first studio in the industry post-pandemic to surpass $5 billion worldwide. The first quarter continued Disney’s box office hot streak with impressive performances from both Moana 2 (which recently crossed $1 billion globally at the box office) as well as Mufasa: The Lion King generating more than $650 million globally as of this past weekend.

Disney’s studios have also garnered critical success. The company received 15 Oscar nominations — including eight for Searchlight Pictures’ A Complete Unknown.

Why It Matters: “With multiple consumer touchpoints, we continue to generate ongoing, long-term value from our theatrical releases, and we now have more ways to leverage film success than ever before,” Iger and Johnston said.

A prime example of Disney’s dynamic strategy can be seen with Moana. The film franchise is approaching $1.7 billion at the global box office; the 2016 original was the most-streamed movie in the U.S. on any platform for the second year in a row; and characters and stories from the franchise continue to delight guests across Disney’s Experiences segment.

Television

On the smaller screen, the company’s series have also continued to demonstrate widespread popularity and acclaim. In calendar year 2024, Disney had the top four most streamed shows in the U.S., led by Bluey with more than 55 billion minutes viewed on Disney+, along with Grey’s Anatomy, Family Guy, and Bob’s Burgers. Disney also won six Golden Globe Awards, with the epic Shōgun sweeping all its nominated categories. As for ABC News, it also shined with ABC’s World News Tonight with David Muir being the No. 1 newscast for the ninth year in a row in 2024.

Notable Quote: “We are especially proud of the remarkable journalists and producers at ABC News and our local affiliate KABC for the work they have done to keep the public informed during the devastating wildfires in Southern California,” Iger and Johnston added.

Streaming

In December Disney introduced an ESPN tile on Disney+, which provided bundle subscribers with the full range of ESPN+ sports content and select ESPN content available to all Disney+ subscribers (including certain live sports events and games). Iger and Johnston announced that new live sports studio shows that will be exclusive to Disney+ later this year. That includes a daily SportsCenter called SC+.

Why It Matters: “Streaming remains a success story for the Company as we build Disney+ into the ultimate digital destination for audiences to access the very best we have to offer in film, television, sports, and news — all in one place,” Iger and Johnston said. “And our Q1 Entertainment Direct-To-Consumer results reflected improved profitability.”

Sports

Iger and Johnston pointed out that live sports have “the power to convene enormous audiences,” which was shown by the 2024 season of Monday Night Football being ESPN’s second-most-watched in the company’s 19-year history of airing the NFL franchise. Disney’s first season broadcasting the entirety of the SEC schedule was also a hit, contributing to strong ratings across the company’s college football programming. In 2024, ABC averaged 5.8 million viewers for 46 regular season games — ABC’s best college football season in 15 years.

More to Know: “ESPN’s flagship offering that will launch in early fall has been and remains our priority,” Iger and Johnston said. “And we expect the elevated product and content experience — which will all be housed within the ESPN app — will be a digital destination for sports fans unlike anything available in the marketplace today, with the full suite of ESPN’s networks and ESPN+, and highly interactive and personalized features.

Experiences

In Q1, Disney launched the Disney Treasure — the sixth ship in Disney Cruise Line’s fleet — and opened Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland Resort. Looking ahead, 2025 is a big year for the company’s Experiences segment with it kicking off Disneyland’s 70 anniversary celebration in May and Hong Kong Disneyland’s 20 anniversary celebration later this year.

Why It Matters: “Our Q1 results for our Experiences segment demonstrated Disney’s strong and enduring appeal in family travel,” Iger and Johnston said. “We continue work on a robust slate of new projects as we bring our most popular IP to life in innovative ways and execute against a carefully designed and planned investment strategy. We also remain deliberate about pricing and the guest experience, and are focused on providing guests great value with a vast array of options to visit our theme parks.”

Wrap Up

Iger and Johnston concluded their executive commentary on Wednesday by saying that the quarter overall proved to be “a strong start to the fiscal year.”

“We are optimistic about the year to come,” the two said. “And we remain confident in our strategy for continued growth.”

The information above should be read together with Disney’s Q1 FY 25 Earnings Report, Form 10-Q, prepared earnings remarks (executive commentary), and earnings call (all available here), which discuss additional information, including additional challenges and risks the company’s businesses face and additional information about Q1 performance.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this communication may constitute “forward‐looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, plans, financial prospects, trends or outlook; opportunities for growth and expansion; strategies and strategic priorities and opportunities; expected benefits of new initiatives; value of our intellectual property, content offerings, businesses and assets; and other statements that are not historical in nature. Any information that is not historical in nature is subject to change. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made. Management does not undertake any obligation to update these statements.

Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such differences may result from actions taken by the company, including restructuring or strategic initiatives (including capital investments, asset acquisitions or dispositions, new or expanded business lines or cessation of certain operations), our execution of our business plans (including the content we create and IP we invest in, our pricing decisions, our cost structure and our management and other personnel decisions), our ability to quickly execute on cost rationalization while preserving revenue, the discovery of additional information or other business decisions, as well as from developments beyond the company’s control, including: the occurrence of subsequent events; deterioration in domestic and global economic conditions or a failure of conditions to improve as anticipated; deterioration in or pressures from competitive conditions, including competition to create or acquire content, competition for talent and competition for advertising revenue; consumer preferences and acceptance of our content, offerings, pricing model and price increases, and corresponding subscriber additions and churn, and the market for advertising sales on our DTC streaming services and linear networks; health concerns and their impact on our businesses and productions; international, political or military developments; regulatory and legal developments; technological developments; labor markets and activities, including work stoppages; adverse weather conditions or natural disasters; and availability of content.Such developments may further affect entertainment, travel and leisure businesses generally and may, among other things, affect (or further affect, as applicable): our operations, business plans or profitability, including direct-to-consumer profitability; demand for our products and services; the performance of the company’s content; our ability to create or obtain desirable content at or under the value we assign the content; the advertising market for programming; taxation; and performance of some or all company businesses either directly or through their impact on those who distribute our products.

Additional factors are set forth in the company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under the captions “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Business,” quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, including under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.The terms “company,” “Disney,” “we,” and “our” are used above to refer collectively to the parent company and the subsidiaries through which our various businesses are actually conducted.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro today announced several appointments for members of his executive team including a newly created role to oversee major events integration, and new heads for Disneyland Resort, Disney Signature Experiences, and Shanghai Disney Resort. The announcement comes as Disney Experiences has embarked on ambitious expansion plans for its cruise line business and at theme parks around the world.

“We have a deep bench of globally minded business leaders who bring the versatility needed to step into key roles across our diverse portfolio,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences. “These tenured leaders have extensive technical and operational expertise with strong insight and understanding of the guest experience, and possess qualities that promote innovation, creativity, and results.”

D’Amaro announced the following strategic senior executive changes:

• Ken Potrock, a 30-year Disney veteran, will take on the newly created role of President, The Walt Disney Company Major Events Integration. In this role, Potrock will be responsible for developing comprehensive, cross-company plans to maximize the value of large-scale sports, entertainment and tourism events ranging from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics to the 250th Anniversary of the nation. Potrock joined Disneyland Resort in 2020 and led the successful post-pandemic reopening, and recently secured the approval of DisneylandForward, which unlocks opportunities for expansion and investment in Anaheim for the next 40 years. During his tenure, he also oversaw the opening of Avengers Campus, the reimagining of Pixar Place Hotel, the expansion of the Downtown Disney District, and the continued expansion of Disney California Adventure – including the recent announcement of two new attractions coming to Avengers Campus, and new attractions inspired by Avatar and Coco. Potrock will continue to report to D’Amaro, with accountability to Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman ESPN.

• Thomas Mazloum has been appointed the new President of Disneyland Resort. In this role, Mazloum will lead more than 36,000 Cast Members and oversee the operation of two theme parks, three resort hotels, and the Downtown Disney District, and will guide Disneyland Resort through a new era of growth with the recent approval of DisneylandForward. Under Mazloum’s recent leadership of Disney Signature Experiences, Disney Cruise Line secured investments and development plans to double its fleet size by 2031. Prior to his time at Disney Cruise Line, Mazloum held various leadership positions at Walt Disney World, overseeing Operations, Resorts, Transportation, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Club 33, Disney Springs, and more. Mazloum will continue to report to D’Amaro.

• Joe Schott has been appointed President of Disney Signature Experiences (DSE), a division of Disney Experiences that offers family travel and leisure experiences beyond theme parks, including Disney Cruise Line (DCL), Disney Vacation Club, Aulani – a Disney Resort & Spa, Adventures by Disney, Storyliving by Disney and more. Schott’s Disney career spans 40 years, and since 2019 he has led Shanghai Disney Resort as President and General Manager. Under his leadership, Shanghai Disneyland expanded to include the successful Zootopia-themed land, new attractions and entertainment, and in development, a third hotel and a new Spider-Man themed attraction. Prior to his role in Shanghai, Schott led operations at Disneyland Paris and was Executive Managing Director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan at Tokyo Disney Resort. Schott’s vast experience in global markets and his extensive knowledge of our international operations will be pivotal as Disney Cruise Line expands its fleet to new destinations worldwide. Schott will now report directly to D’Amaro.

• Andrew Bolstein has been promoted to President & General Manager of Shanghai Disney Resort. Bolstein was part of the opening leadership team at Shanghai Disney Resort, working hand-in-hand with Imagineers as the park took shape. His 30-year career started at Walt Disney World and included leadership roles in Hong Kong and Tokyo, and nearly 13 years in Shanghai. Bolstein brings deep operational knowledge, passion for the Cast and surrounding community, and strong relationships with key government, business, and industry partners. Andrew will report to Jill Estorino, President and Managing Director of Disney Parks International.

Disney Experiences has an expansive footprint in the global theme park travel and experience business with 12 parks around the world; Disney Cruise Line, which visits ports in nearly 40 countries and will more than double the size of its current fleet by 2031; and, Disney’s industry-leading consumer products division, which brings Disney IP into fans’ homes across the globe and is the largest licensor in the world.

Transition to the new roles will begin immediately.

Disney’s fifth annual Global Tech & Data Showcase brought together top brands, agencies, and clients in Las Vegas to unveil the company’s latest technological advancements and innovation strategy. Taking the stage at the Chelsea Theater, Disney’s Global Advertising President, Rita Ferro, kicked off the event with an announcement: Disney Advertising’s ad-supported monthly active users across the company’s streaming platforms — Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ — have reached an estimated 157 million globally, including 112 million domestically, on average per month over the last six months.

“In this transformative era of advertising, brands need more than just compelling storytelling — they need advanced solutions that deliver real results,” said Rita Ferro, President, Global Advertising, The Walt Disney Company. “Disney is at the forefront of this shift, making strategic investments in our ad technology and capabilities to help brands connect with audiences across streaming TV, live sports, and beyond. By combining our unparalleled content with innovative tools, we’re creating opportunities for brands to become part of the cultural conversations that shape our world — and we invite them to push the limits with us.”

Additional announcements made from stage include:

• Introducing Disney Compass: A proprietary data platform that simplifies the advertising journey. Disney Compass brings together first-party data, insights, and vendor integrations in one central location, enabling brands to activate campaigns with ease.
• Landmark Collaboration with Publicis CoreAI: Publicis becomes the first agency holding company to integrate with Disney Compass. Using CoreAI, brands can seamlessly activate insights from their own data, Publicis’ data, and Disney’s first-party data.
• New Standard for Live Sports and Entertainment Advertising: A new certification for live sports and entertainment, guaranteeing brands can advertise when and where they want. This includes expanding biddable media for live sports and the availability of Disney’s Magic Words next quarter.
• Disney’s Global Streaming Consumer Insights Study: As the industry moves towards cross-cultural, global streaming consumption, advertisers can now better understand the habits of streamers. Disney reveals valuable insights on streaming behaviors across the US, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC regions. Advertisers will soon have access to four new, proprietary global audience segments for activation: Empathetic Escapists, Reflective Explorers, Social Shapers, and Comfort Connectors.
• Disney Select AI Engine: A cutting-edge tool for brands to build custom lookalike audiences and deliver sequential messaging — all while expanding reach and without impacting frequency caps. The Disney Select AI Engine uses machine learning to drive accurate results, now available within our award-winning Clean Room ecosystem.
• Innovating on Ad Formats: Disney’s enhanced, user-initiated interactive ad formats allow viewers to choose how they engage with ads — whether by exploring a product carousel or playing a trivia game.
• Global Expansion of Disney Select and Audience Graph: Disney’s advanced segmentation and targeting tools are now available in all global markets where Disney+ is offered. Following a successful launch in Latin America, EMEA will be the next market to join this global rollout.
• Disney Magic Words LIVE: Building on last year’s beta product, Disney’s Magic Words expands to capture mood and emotions in real-time through live sports and entertainment. Biddable activation will be available next quarter.
• Disney’s BridgeID’s Rapid Adoption: In 2024, Disney’s BridgeID identity framework was adopted by over 6,500 brands. This solution streamlines digital workflows, enhances targeting, and enables cohesive cross-platform campaigns.

Key takeaways from Disney executives:

• Adam Smith, Chief Product and Technology Officer: “Disney has always known that great technology, in the hands of brilliant creators has the power to add new dimensions to products, stories, and experiences. It’s a simple but powerful formula: Unmatched content, plus world-class technology, plus data-driven advertising, plus global products, and live streaming at scale.”

• Dana McGraw, SVP, Data and Measurement Science: “Disney is not just setting the pace, we’re accelerating the rate of innovation for all. We have invested in machine learning and AI audience segmentation for over a decade to better understand behaviors across screens and bring new opportunities to life. With every new tool and capability we develop, we’re making adoption easier for our partners to have the most frictionless experience possible.”

• Jamie Power, SVP, Addressable Sales: “To unlock the true power of LIVE streaming, publishers, traders, and tech platforms must invest in cutting-edge technology and innovative buying strategies. Real-time programmatic is the game-changer, and we’re doubling down to ensure advertisers seize these opportunities like never before. With Disney’s LIVE Sports & Entertainment certification, platforms can confidently leverage spikes in viewership, bid density, and scale during pivotal live moments.”

• Josh Mattison, EVP, Digital Revenue Pricing, Planning & Operations: “As the leader in the market, it’s our responsibility to push the industry forward — beyond the Disney ecosystem — to help advertisers understand the role of streaming in people’s lives and what motivates their decisions to watch.”

The past year for The Walt Disney Company was full of innovations, creative storytelling, and record-breaking successes. As 2025 begins, here’s a look at some of the top moments from across Disney in 2024.

D23 Fan Events Showcase Everything Disney Can Do

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event Presented by Visa® and D23 Brazil — A Disney Experience showcased everything Disney can do with fan events bigger and more immersive than ever before. The two events — which took place in Anaheim, California, in August and São Paulo, Brazil, in November — offered thousands of Disney’s most passionate fans a glimpse of the vast array of creativity, talent, and innovation that powers Disney’s brands and businesses. That included major announcements about what’s planned for Disney Parks and resorts, first looks at upcoming films, and a celebration of Disney Legends.

The Walt Disney Studios Shatters Multiple Records at the Box Office

The Walt Disney Studios achieved a record-breaking year at the box office, once again showing the importance of the company’s creative storytelling. Pixar Animation Studios’ Inside Out 2 became the highest grossing animated film of all time, Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine followed suit with a record of its own, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana 2 was the highest five-day opening of all time and the highest Thanksgiving opening weekend box office ever. Other films such as 20th Century Studios’ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and Alien: Romulus were also big hits at the box office, while other films such as Searchlight’s A Complete Unknown and A Real Pain garnered rave reviews.

On Thursday, the Studios announced that it was the No. 1 studio globally bringing in $5.46 billion around the world. That includes $2.23 billion domestically and $3.23 billion internationally. Disney is the first studio to surpass $5 billion worldwide since 2019.

Disney Makes History with Record-Breaking 60 Emmy® Awards

Disney’s record-breaking year didn’t just take place on the big screen, however. In September, Disney won a record-breaking 60 wins at the 76th Emmy Awards across its content brands, studios, and platforms. That included Disney’s FX receiving 36 awards — the most for any of the company’s brands or studios and the most in the history of FX. Last year’s most-winning series, Shōgun, won 19 awards, setting a new Television Academy record for any series in a single year.

ABC News Notches No. 1 Viewership While Covering 2024’s Biggest Events 

ABC News delivered another year of exceptional news coverage, providing audiences with trusted insight and analysis on 2024’s biggest local, national, and global stories. In fact, ABC News’ flagship morning news program, Good Morning America, had the highest total viewership of any morning show during the 2023-2024 season — for the 12th straight season. Meanwhile, ABC News’ World News Tonight with David Muir was the most-watched evening newscast for the eighth season in a row. World News Tonight also spent 24 of 52 weeks as the No. 1 program of the week in Total Viewers on all of broadcast and cable (with and without sports).

Disney’s Streaming Business Takes a Leap Forward

Disney’s streaming businesses had multiple notable moments last year. Most notably, Disney’s streaming businesses reached profitability and Disney+ celebrated its fifth anniversary in November. Disney also launched Hulu and ESPN+ tiles and hubs on Disney+. In doing so, it created the ultimate streaming destination by giving subscribers to the bundle access to sports, general entertainment, and kids and family programming — all within a single app.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opens at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort

One of the biggest moments for Disney Experiences last year was the grand opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in June and at Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort in November. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure features dozens of Audio-Animatronics figures, a sensational soundtrack (including music from the film and new compositions), and an exhilarating 50-foot drop.

Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea Comes to Life

Another big moment in 2024 was Fantasy Springs — the eighth themed port at Tokyo DisneySea Park — coming to life on June 6. Fantasy Springs debuted areas inspired by three beloved films and franchises from Walt Disney Animation Studios. That includes Rapunzel’s Forest from 2010’s Tangled, Peter Pan’s Never Land from 1953’s Peter Pan, and Frozen Kingdom from the 2013 blockbuster Frozen. The new port is an entryway for guests into the magical worlds of these films, which include innovative attractions, stunning restaurants, cozy shops, and the Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel.

Disney Cruise Line Welcomes a New Ship and Announces More to Come

In November, Disney Cruise Line welcomed its new ship, the Disney Treasure, during a spectacular waterfront christening celebration on the Hudson River in New York City. The dazzling tribute was brought to life by a synchronized showcase of 1,000 drones set to a stirring medley of inspiring Disney songs. Disney Cruise Line also announced in August that four new ships will be joining Disney Cruise Line’s award-winning fleet. With five ships in the current fleet and four others already in development, the additional four ships, which will be delivered between 2027 and 2031, will bring the total size of the fleet to 13.

ESPN Celebrates a Record Year

From an unprecedented surge in viewership and engagement of women’s sports across Disney platforms to landing several landmark agreements that will shape sports media for years to come, 2024 was an extraordinary year for ESPN. ESPN dominated in viewership across game broadcasts and studio shows and lead the way with innovative storytelling in animated alternative broadcasts. The ESPN brand remains unmatched in sports media, ranking as the No. 1 brand for following sports. Beyond the launch of ESPN on Disney+, ESPN’s commitment to its digital future continued to flourish, with ESPN Digital reaching two thirds of all U.S. adults monthly and maintaining its position as the No.1 sports destination for 32 consecutive months.

“Our creativity and unrelenting service to sports fans will continue in 2025 with the early fall launch of our flagship direct-to-consumer product,” Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN, said.

The Walt Disney Company Looks Ahead with Epic Games and the NBA

While 2024 was a banner year, two of the most exciting moments for Disney last year were announcements about things to come.

In February, it was announced that Disney and Epic Games will collaborate on an all-new games and entertainment universe that will further expand the reach of beloved Disney stories and experiences. In addition to being a world-class games experience and interoperating with Fortnite, the new persistent universe will offer a multitude of opportunities for consumers to play, watch, shop, and engage with content, characters, and stories from Disney.

Then, in July, Disney and ESPN reached a landmark 11-year extension with the NBA and WNBA for media rights that will be in effect from the 2025-26 through 2035-36 NBA seasons and the 2026 through 2036 WNBA seasons. As part of the agreement, ESPN continues its longstanding position as the primary media rights partner of the NBA and the WNBA, as well as the exclusive home of the NBA’s crown jewel event, the NBA Finals.

The Walt Disney Company has had a long history with New York City, and now Disney’s connection to the Big Apple is getting even deeper, with the opening of a new headquarters for its New York businesses at 7 Hudson Square.

This new complex, which serves as a collaborative town square in the bustling city, has already started welcoming employees, and by next summer will officially be home to news, editorial, live productions, streaming, technology, advertising, corporate, business support functions, and more.

The NYC headquarters is named the Robert A. Iger building — an honor bestowed by the company and its Board to mark Iger’s many accomplishments for Disney and its employees as he commemorates his 50th anniversary with the company. Iger began his career at ABC in New York in 1974.

The new building features hallmarks of Disney’s other offices and campuses around the world that speak to the company’s century of creativity and community.

7 Hudson Square is also a testament to Disney’s commitment to NYC, its economy, and its people. The state-of-the-art building encompasses an entire city block and will be a collaborative hub for the company’s media, production, and innovation.

Welcome to 7 Hudson Square

Disney employees will enjoy access to a wide range of individual work, collaboration, and amenity spaces, along with best-in-class shared services. This modern facility is equipped to evolve with future advancements in technology, new formats, and the overall transformation of the company’s businesses.

The building has also already begun hosting audience productions of The View in the new space. With three large studios, the building will continue to welcome hundreds of New Yorkers and visitors from across the country and around the globe each weekday to participate in live and recorded tapings of our shows.

Noteworthy building amenities include a full-service café and coffee bar, outdoor terraces, wellness rooms, a large event space for employee gatherings, conference centers, a large screening room, a reading room, a bike room with shower facilities, a company store, TV studios, and much more.

The all-electric building features on-site solar panels, high efficiency dedicated outside air systems, high-performance facades, waste heat recovery, and electric heat pumps. The energy-efficient design approach is reflective of Disney’s 2030 environmental goals.

Disney and NYC: A History of Storytelling

Since The Walt Disney Company was founded more than 100 years ago, New York City has been part of the storytelling foundation that has supported the company’s success.

For example, Steamboat Willie — the iconic short starring Mickey Mouse — debuted in Manhattan in 1928 at the Colony Theatre, which is now known as the Broadway Theatre.

Another major milestone in the relationship between Disney and New York City was when Walt Disney and his creative team, referred to today as Walt Disney Imagineers, debuted four spectacular attractions using innovative forms of themed entertainment and dimensional, figural animation — or Audio-Animatronics® — at the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair. Some of these marquee experiences, like it’s a small world, would later become beloved Disney Parks attractions, with versions found at the company’s theme parks around the globe.

As for Disney’s Broadway presence, it began in 1994 with a 13-year run of Beauty and the Beast and spans 10 Broadway titles, including The Lion King, the highest-grossing title in box office history. With three of the 15 longest running shows in Broadway history — Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and Aladdin, now in its 11th year — Disney Theatrical Group is one of the most successful Broadway producers of all time.

Creativity and Collaboration 

At the heart of the timeless storytelling of The Walt Disney Company is creativity and collaboration. The company’s offices and campuses are important places that foster community, leading to unbridled creativity, strengthened partnerships, and trust among and between teams.

Architecture has been a culture driver and part of Disney’s identity for decades. While the company’s offices and campuses in Burbank, Bristol, and Emeryville (to name a few) are each tailored to the type of work taking place there — in all cases, these campuses aim to foster creativity and collaboration.

The Robert A. Iger building is an example of what makes Disney unique. It not only forges a shared community that allows the company’s storytelling to flourish, but it also connects Disney’s culture within a state-of-the-art complex that focuses on innovation, collaboration, and the indelible spirit of New York City.

On Wednesday, The Walt Disney Company premiered a poignant short film debuting a new verse to the iconic song, “It’s a Small World,” written by Richard Sherman before his passing in May of 2024. Sherman, who along with his late brother Robert wrote the song’s original verses from 1964 and many other timeless classics from some of Disney’s most celebrated films, shared the new verse with The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger in the summer of 2023 as his final gift to the studio that he so deeply cherished. The three-minute and 30-second short film, The Last Verse, premiered Wednesday as part of an ABC News Studios’ two-hour documentary event, The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20, which commemorates the 60th anniversary of Walt Disney Studios’ Mary Poppins (1964), for which the Sherman Brothers earned Academy Awards® for Best Original Song and Best Original Score.

“As the legendary creators of some of the most cherished music of the past century, the Sherman brothers will be remembered for their profound impact on our global culture,” Iger said. “Hearing Richard Sherman recite the final verse to ‘It’s a Small World’ before he died will be a moment I will carry with me forever. This beautiful short film is our tribute to their immeasurable musical contributions, their memory, and to the countless memories they helped create for generations of people around the world.”

The Last Verse serves as a tribute to the remarkable impact of the Sherman Brothers during their decades-long musical collaboration with Disney, ranging from “It’s a Small World,” to the timeless songs and scores from enduring Disney classics like, Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book (1976), Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971), and many more.

“It’s a Small World” was written for the attraction of the same name, which was created for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. Personally overseen by Walt Disney in support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the attraction was a major success and after two seasons, it was moved to Disneyland Park, where it opened on May 28, 1966. Today, the attraction and the Sherman Brothers’ original song are part of five Disney Parks around the world, including Disneyland Park, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World® Resort, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland.

This touching short film takes viewers on a journey through the past 60 years of the song’s history, showcasing its impact on global pop culture. Renowned director Henry Alex Rubin, best known for his award-winning documentary Murderball, helmed the project for Disney and creative partner adam&eveDDB.

Richard Brim, Global Chief Creative Officer for adam&eveDDB said, “It’s hard to truly capture the influence and impact that Disney has had on our lives over the past century. With this film, we wanted tap into those feelings of nostalgia that are so often associated with the iconic brand, whilst paying homage to the legends that are the Sherman brothers.”

ESPN, in partnership with TNT Sports and the National Basketball Association, announced today that it will exclusively present the iconic Inside the NBA studio show on its platforms starting with the 2025-26 regular season — the first season in ESPN and the NBA’s landmark 11-year rights extension, announced in July. TNT Sports will continue to independently produce Inside the NBA from its Atlanta-based studios over the term of the agreement.

The legendary Inside the NBA studio team will appear on ESPN and ABC surrounding high-profile live events, including ESPN’s pregame, halftime and postgame coverage of the NBA Finals on ABC, Conference Finals, NBA Playoffs, all ABC games after January 1, Christmas Day, opening week, the final week of the season and other marquee live events.

Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN:

“Inside the NBA is universally recognized as one of the best and most culturally impactful shows in sports. We have long-admired the immensely talented team and are thrilled to add their chemistry and knowledge to our robust set of NBA studio offerings to super-serve NBA fans like never before. The addition of Inside the NBA further solidifies ESPN as the preeminent destination for sports fans.”

Luis Silberwasser, CEO & Chairman, TNT Sports:

“At TNT Sports, we take great pride in our Inside the NBA show and know its success is both a reflection of the iconic talent on set and the incredible people behind the scenes who consistently demonstrate the creativity and craft of our great team. We are thrilled to continue to produce Inside the NBA for ESPN and ABC, ensuring fans are able to keep enjoying the magic of this show during the NBA season.”

As part of this creative partnership, which builds on the existing agreement between ESPN and TNT Sports to present the College Football Playoffs, TNT Sports will now televise an exclusive slate of Big 12 football and men’s basketball games starting with the 2025 season.

ESPN will continue to produce NBA Countdown and NBA Today as both franchises will remain integral parts of ESPN’s NBA coverage offerings. Malika Andrews hosts both shows with a team of industry-leading analysts and reporters, including Stephen A. Smith, Kendrick Perkins, Richard Jefferson, Chiney Ogwumike, Bob Myers, Shams Charania, Brian Windhorst, Ramona Shelburne, and more.

TNT’s Inside the NBA made its debut during the 1989-90 NBA regular season. It has won 21 Sports Emmy Awards and in 2020 was recognized by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Curt Gowdy Transformative Media Award.

Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Jared Bush has been named Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of Walt Disney Animation Studios effective immediately, reporting to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, while Jennifer Lee has decided to return to filmmaking full time to steward the Frozen franchise for the studio.

Serving as Chief Creative Officer for Walt Disney Animation Studios since 2018, Lee will be directing and writing on Frozen 3 and writing Frozen 4 with Marc Smith; she will also executive produce the latter. Thirty-year Disney veteran Clark Spencer (Oscar®-winning producer, Encanto, Zootopia) continues as President, Walt Disney Animation Studios.

“Jared Bush is an incredible filmmaker and a talented executive who’s been a prominent creative force at Disney Animation for the past decade, and I am thrilled that he’ll be taking the reins of this storied studio,” Bergman said. “I also want to thank Jennifer Lee for her passionate leadership of the studio over the past several years — she’s made an indelible mark on both Disney Animation and the industry. I know she has so many more stories to tell, and there is truly no one better suited to oversee the continuation of the beloved story of Frozen.”

“I am so deeply grateful to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for their faith in me, and thankful to Jennifer for her leadership and for her generous support as she embarks on the next chapters of Frozen,” said Bush. “Disney Animation is home to some of the greatest stories and characters of the past century, and I’m so excited to work with all of our filmmakers, artists, and Disney Animation team members as we shape the future of this legendary studio together.”

Said Lee: “I am so grateful to Bob and Alan for supporting my decision to return to filmmaking full time. Every day working with them is a master class in creativity, business, community, and integrity. I’ve always believed in Jared’s incredible talent and can’t wait to see, with his passion and dedication to animation, what he brings to the CCO role. For me, getting to collaborate with this studio of artists, animators, and storytellers is such a privilege, and I look forward to all we will create together.”

As CCO, Bush will oversee the creative output of the iconic animation studio, including its films, series, and associated projects. Bush has been with the studio for over a decade, receiving the Academy Award in 2022 for Encanto, for which he was both director and a writer, in the same year in which he was executive producer for the Oscar-nominated Raya and the Last Dragon. Bush was also co-director/co-writer on 2016’s Oscar-winning Zootopia, writer of the original Oscar-nominated hit Moana, and received an Emmy® Award for Zootopia+. He serves as a writer and executive producer on the upcoming Moana 2 and is directing and writing Zootopia 2, set to release Fall 2025.

Lee is the Oscar-winning screenwriter and director behind Frozen and Frozen 2, two of the biggest animated films of all time. Lee joined Disney in 2011 as co-writer of the Oscar-nominated Wreck-It Ralph. She was also an integral part of building the story for Zootopia and served as executive producer on Encanto, Wish, and Raya and the Last Dragon, as well as the upcoming Moana 2. She also oversaw Disney Animation’s first foray into animated series, including Baymax, the first-of-its-kind series Iwájú, and Zootopia+, for which she received an Emmy Award, and she is the Tony®-nominated writer of the book for the Broadway musical Frozen.

Among the highly anticipated titles on Walt Disney Animation’s upcoming slate are Moana 2 on November 27, 2024 and Zootopia 2 on November 26, 2025.

All Channels Immediately Restored to DIRECTV Satellite, Streaming, and U-verse Customers

New, Robust Agreement Includes Disney’s Full Portfolio of Networks and Direct-to-Consumer Services, Genre-Specific Options, and ESPN’s Flagship Direct-to-Consumer Offering When It Launches in 2025

DIRECTV and The Walt Disney Company today announced an agreement in principle that provides greater choice, value, and flexibility to their mutual customers. As a result, Disney’s full linear suite of networks has been restored to DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM and U-verse customers while both parties work to finalize a new, multi-year contract.

Among the core points agreed to are:

• Continued carriage at market-based terms of Disney’s entertainment, sports and news programming from its comprehensive linear portfolio, which includes the ABC Owned Television Stations, the ESPN networks, the Disney-branded channels, Freeform, the FX networks and the National Geographic channels.
• The opportunity to offer multiple genre-specific options — sports, entertainment, kids & family — inclusive of Disney’s linear networks along with Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+.
• Disney’s direct-to-consumer streaming services (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+) to be included in select DIRECTV packages under a wholesale agreement, and also to be made available on an a la carte basis.
• The rights to distribute Disney’s upcoming ESPN flagship direct-to-consumer service upon its launch at no additional cost to DIRECTV customers.

In a joint statement, the two companies commented: “Through this first-of-its-kind collaboration, DIRECTV and Disney are giving customers the ability to tailor their video experience through more flexible options. DIRECTV and Disney have a long-standing history of connecting consumers to the best entertainment, and this agreement furthers that commitment by recognizing both the tremendous value of Disney’s content and the evolving preferences of DIRECTV’s customers. We’d like to thank all affected viewers for their patience and are pleased to restore Disney’s entire portfolio of networks in time for college football and the Emmy Awards this weekend.”

On Sunday, millions of DirecTV customers were impacted when ESPN, the ABC Owned Television Stations and other Disney-owned channels were blacked out due to DirecTV’s unwillingness to come to terms on a new agreement with The Walt Disney Company.

While missing out on Disney’s live sporting events, news and general entertainment programming is incredibly frustrating, there are many other pay TV provider options for DirecTV’s customers to be able to access and view Disney’s content.

Any of these alternative providers will allow fans to enjoy the upcoming strong lineup of sports and entertainment programming on Disney’s channels including:

College Football: Week 2 of college football features a full slate of critical matchups and non-conference clashes across ESPN platforms. In total, more than 75 showdowns are set for ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN+ and ESPN Radio. That includes a Top 25 thriller between No. 14 Tennessee and No. 24 NC State, Arkansas taking on No. 16 Oklahoma State, and No. 23 Georgia Tech battling Syracuse.

Tennis: The US Open – the premier US tennis event – that includes the Women’s Championship (Saturday at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT) on ESPN and the Men’s Championship (Sunday at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT) on ABC.

NFL: The kickoff the 2024 NFL season caps off ESPN and ABC’s stellar sports weekend when ESPN begins its 19th Monday Night Football season on Monday at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with a multi-platform presentation of the New York Jets taking on the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. Monday Night Football will punctuate a weekend full of ESPN’s NFL programming and coverage, which includes Sunday NFL Countdown and NFL PrimeTime. Not to mention, the season debut of the Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli, which will air Monday on ESPN2 featuring Hall of Fame head coach Bill Belichick.

And of course, there’s more to come in the days and weeks ahead across other Disney networks.

That includes the ABC News Presidential Debate on September 10 and the 76th Primetime Emmy® Awards on September 15, both airing on ABC, plus the broadcast network’s new seasons of Dancing with the Stars, The Golden Bachelorette, Grey’s Anatomy and Abbott Elementary, as well as season two of The Old Man on FX, a new season of Hamster & Gretel on Disney Channel, and the series debut of National Parks: USA on Nat Geo.

For more details including a full list of alternative providers, consumers can go to KeepMyNetworks.com.

The start of September kicks off with an eclectic mix of action from the much-anticipated return of the NFL, college football, and the best that tennis has to offer at the US Open, not to mention the Emmy® Awards and Presidential Debate on ABC later this month. Yet, millions of DirecTV customers are left in the dark while ESPN and other Disney-owned channels are blacked out due to DirecTV’s decision to decline a fair, marketplace-based agreement with The Walt Disney Company.

“DirecTV chose to deny millions of subscribers access to our content just as we head into the final week of the US Open and gear up for college football and the opening of the NFL season,” said Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, co-chairmen, Disney Entertainment, and Jimmy Pitaro, chairman, ESPN. “While we’re open to offering DirecTV flexibility and terms which we’ve extended to other distributors, we will not enter into an agreement that undervalues our portfolio of television channels and programs. We invest significantly to deliver the No. 1 brands in entertainment, news and sports because that’s what our viewers expect and deserve. We urge DirecTV to do what’s in the best interest of their customers and finalize a deal that would immediately restore our programming,” they added.

Disputes between cable companies and content providers aren’t new, but they can lead to a lot of confusion. To help cut through the noise, here are some important points to consider:

• The value of Disney’s portfolio is indisputable. More than 90% of DirecTV households watched Disney’s linear programming every month last year. That’s more than 5 billion hours viewed in a single year.
• Disney invests significantly in its content, and is seeking rates that are fair, in line with other providers in the marketplace, and that reflect the value of Disney’s popular and award-winning programming. For example, The Walt Disney Company garnered 183 Emmy® Award nominations this year alone, more than any other entertainment company, and ESPN recently extended its relationship with the NBA and WNBA through 2036, and with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to remain home to the US Open through 2037.
• DirecTV continues to push a narrative that they want to explore more flexible, “skinnier” bundles and that Disney refuses to engage. This is blatantly false. Disney has been negotiating with them in good faith for weeks and has proposed a variety of flexible options, in addition to innovative ways to work together in making Disney’s direct-to-consumer streaming services available to DirecTV’s customers.

As recent years have shown, the one constant in the entertainment world is change. As television and the broader media ecosystem continue to evolve, Disney is the clear industry leader in storytelling, and in establishing flexible distribution models that meet the evolving preferences and needs of consumers.

For more details and alternate ways to access Disney’s content, consumers can go to KeepMyNetworks.com.

With the Main Draw of the 2024 US Open underway in New York City, ESPN and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) have extended their relationship with a new, 12-year agreement that will keep the iconic event with ESPN through 2037.

The deal, which starts in 2026 and is ESPN’s longest-term tennis agreement, also continues to make ESPN the home of the entire US Open in Latin America and the Caribbean and in Canada on TSN and RDS. ESPN Deportes likewise continues as the exclusive Spanish-language home of the US Open in the United States.

The deal was brokered by IMG, the USTA’s media rights representative.

In the new agreement, USTA will take over host broadcaster duties from ESPN beginning in 2026 as ESPN focuses its production resources on the more than 260 hours of annual coverage planned for the U.S., as well as hundreds of hours for international territories.

“We take tremendous pride in our 15-year relationship with the USTA,” said ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. “This agreement reinforces our long-term dedication to tennis, our capacity to showcase one of the premier events on the annual sports calendar and, as the world’s first sporting event to offer equal purses for its female and male competitors, The Walt Disney Company’s industry-leading commitment to women’s sports.”

“After many remarkable years of partnership, we are thrilled to extend our partnership with ESPN and the Walt Disney Company, a collaboration that has driven extraordinary growth for the US Open,” said Lew Sherr, USTA CEO and Executive Director. “This year’s US Open is well on its way to being the most spectacular Championship in our history and together with ESPN, we are energized by an even brighter future. Our shared commitment to expanding the reach of tennis has contributed to significant increase in participation. Together, we will continue to leverage the US Open as a powerful platform to promote our mission to inspire healthier people and communities.”

“This ESPN deal is groundbreaking, not only for the USTA and US Open, but for tennis globally,” said Hillary Mandel, EVP and Head of Americas, Media at IMG. “The new agreement will super-charge this iconic, captivating Grand Slam’s exposure, production, promotion, content, and economic investment, ensuring record year-on-year growth for the next decade and beyond.”

Deal Highlights

• Expanded streaming rights, giving ESPN flexibility to roll out additional ways for fans in the U.S. to consume US Open content
• Expanded Fan Week coverage, including daily live coverage on ESPN2 and distribution of the prime-time exhibition events that debuted this year on ESPN platforms
• Introduction of fast-paced, shot-to-shot whip-around coverage set to debut on ESPN+ the first week of the 2026 US Open main draw
• Annual coverage of the final Sunday and Middle Sunday on ABC
• Availability of all play across all courts daily
• Daily Spanish-language coverage in the U.S. on ESPN Deportes
• Provision to ESPN for limited sublicense rights

Recent US Open Viewership Highlights

The US Open on ESPN has set – and kept – some unforgettable viewership records, such as:

• 2023: The Women’s Championship between winner Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka is the most-viewed women’s final of any tennis major ever on ESPN, and the most-streamed women’s match on ESPN+.
• The men’s and women’s Semifinals on ESPN is the most-viewed since the current deal started in 2015.
• 2022: Serena Williams’ last appearance remains the most-watched tennis telecast on record in ESPN’s 44-year history with 4.8 million viewers. Viewership peaked with 6.9 million viewers.
• 2015: The Men’s Championship between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer averaged 3.2 million viewers and stands as the most-viewed for the event ever on ESPN on record,

Almin Karamehmedovic has been named president, ABC News; it was announced today by Debra OConnell, president, News Group and Networks, Disney Entertainment, to whom Karamehmedovic will continue to report.

In his new role, Karamehmedovic will oversee the day-to-day operations of the nation’s No. 1 news network. He will lead the teams responsible for the many iconic, award-winning shows across the division, including ratings leaders World News Tonight with David Muir, Good Morning America, The View, 20/20, and Nightline, as well as ABC News Live, ABC News Studios and special events coverage.

“Almin has devoted his career to ABC News, mastering every role and elevating excellence in journalism by connecting with viewers in a very meaningful and profound way that resonates with them,” OConnell said. “He is a widely respected, seasoned journalist of the highest order who has worked his way up to senior executive producer of World News Tonight with David Muir, earning the trust of colleagues and industry peers along the way. I have no doubt ABC News will reach new heights under his leadership.”

“I approach this role with great respect and humility, not only for the hundreds of colleagues around the world whose tireless contributions fuel the unflinching and unbiased reporting of ABC News but also for the viewers we serve,” Karamehmedovic said. “Our team represents the best in journalism. We are grateful to have Debra OConnell, who sets the bar for all of us in a meaningful and supportive way that enables us to thrive in a profession we revere and love.”

Karamehmedovic has overseen the production and all daily operations of World News Tonight with David Muir, the most-watched newscast in America across broadcast and cable, and often, the No. 1 program on all of television, since August 2014. In January 2022, News Content Development, including short- and long-form projects on streaming and broadcast, was added to his purview as his role expanded from executive producer to senior executive producer.

Under Karamehmedovic’s leadership, World News Tonight with David Muir ranks as the No. 1 evening newscast in Total Viewers for the eighth straight year. In addition, the program ranks No. 1 in Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 for the fifth consecutive season.

Prior to World News Tonight with David Muir, Karamehmedovic was executive producer of Nightline, ABC News’ late-night flagship newsmagazine. He also executive produced Nightline in primetime for two consecutive seasons as well as numerous other ABC primetime hours, 20/20 specials and ongoing breaking news special reports.

Karamehmedovic joined ABC News as a freelance video editor based in London in 1998. Three years later, he was one of the first journalists to gain access to Tora Bora, Afghanistan, where Osama bin Laden was hiding. In 2003, he embedded with the U.S. Army during the invasion of Iraq, and in 2005, he was one of the first journalists to travel to Darfur/Sudan to report on the genocide. The following year he covered the war in Southern Lebanon and in 2010 was one of the first to arrive in Haiti following the devastating earthquake. More recently, Karamehmedovic returned to Al Anbar in Iraq to document the fight against ISIS and traveled to the frontlines of Afghanistan. He has been to Auschwitz with survivors of the Holocaust 75 years later; to Normandy with America’s heroes; and to Madagascar to report on the children of climate change.

After he moved to New York and joined Nightline in 2008, Karamehmedovic traveled the world producing notable pieces for the program, including living among the Indigenous people of the Enawene Nawe tribe in the remote and uncivilized Amazon; detailing the ongoing Mexican drug wars; and exposing American pedophiles permitted to leave the United States and abuse children in Cambodia.

Karamehmedovic was part of the first wave of producers trained to shoot, produce, edit and broadcast from anywhere in the world. He has used those abilities to great effect at ABC News, infusing many reports with an intimacy and immediacy that brings viewers closer to the heart of a story. He has traveled to more than 100 countries and is the recipient of the prestigious DuPont Award, as well as 16 Emmys, nine Edward R. Murrow Awards, two Christopher Awards and a Peabody Award.

Karamehmedovic graduated from the University of Greenwich in London.

Adam Smith has been named Chief Product & Technology Officer, Disney Entertainment and ESPN, it was announced today by Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro.

In this role, Smith will oversee a global Product and Technology group spanning Disney’s entertainment and sports media businesses. He will be responsible for driving technology strategy, development, deployment and continued innovation across the company’s streaming platforms and networks, portfolio of consumer digital touchpoints, proprietary advertising technology, emerging technologies and more.

Smith will lead a global team of technologists, including engineers, product managers and designers, data scientists and technical operations teams. Smith will join Disney beginning September 3 and will jointly report to Bergman, Walden and Pitaro.

The three chairmen shared in a joint statement: “We could not be more thrilled to have Adam join the Disney team in this pivotal role. We’ve been aggressive in advancing our technological capabilities to better support our world-class media, streaming and advertising businesses, and Adam brings a bold, consumer-focused vision for the future and a proven ability to effectively lead global teams in implementing ambitious, scalable and flexible products and technology that will continue to elevate storytelling as the center of the Disney experience.”

“Disney has built and nurtured an unparalleled portfolio of brands bringing joy and delight to fans of all ages, thanks to a culture of creativity that embraces innovation,” said Smith. “I believe Disney is uniquely positioned to thrive in the next evolution of media and has made significant progress in a very short time while keeping storytelling front and center. I look forward to working closely with Alan, Dana and Jimmy and their top-notch teams and am excited to bring my expertise in utilizing technology to build compelling consumer experiences that will drive engagement and discovery among fans, families and friends.”

Smith joins Disney from YouTube, where he most recently served as Vice President, Product Management, leading Music and Premium as well as Subscriptions and Commerce since 2016. During more than 20 years at Google and YouTube, Smith held executive roles across numerous divisions, throughout significant growth trajectories of both companies. At YouTube, he played an integral role in building out its biggest consumer-facing products, driving its Music and Premium offering to over 100 million subscribers, as well as stints leading Global Content and Product across kids, sports, news and education (2013-14) and serving as the regional head for Asia-Pacific (2011-13). Within Google, he led development and strategy for a series of key products and groups including Google Fiber (2014-16), Google APAC (2009-11), and a portfolio that included Google Books, Google News, Google Finance and Google Scholar (2003-09). He previously held roles at Random House/Bertelsmann. Smith has served on the board of REDF since 2009. He earned a bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley and holds an MBA from Stanford University.

Disney CEO Bob Iger opened D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa by welcoming fans and reinforcing what sets Disney apart as a leader in creativity and innovation.

“Who else but Disney could pull off a weekend like D23?” Iger asked while kicking off the Disney Entertainment Showcase on Friday night. “Our deep bond with fans, forged over a century of storytelling, is stronger today than ever before — driven by the unmatched strength of our creative studios, the wide appeal of our brands and franchises, and the innovative ways that we bring our stories to life in our theme parks and experiences.”

The event — which takes place August 9, 10, and 11 in Anaheim, California — gives fans the chance to experience the magic of Disney together while hearing from some of their favorite stars and storytellers about what’s to come from the worlds of Disney. It also stands as a microcosm of what makes Disney a one-of-a-kind company by showcasing in a real, experiential way the power of Disney’s unrivaled portfolio.

“While each of our businesses might seem different from one another, in fact they fuel each other in ways that are just distinctly Disney,” Iger said on stage at Anaheim’s Honda Center. “They are bound by a common mission: to tell great stories… and to bring you those stories in the most modern, relevant, and compelling ways.”

Iger added that the world needs to be entertained, maybe even more so now than ever.

“We take that responsibility seriously,” he said. “We are grateful for every moment, every memory that we’re fortunate enough to be part of. And we’re grateful to you for caring so much about the things we create and inviting Disney into your lives in such profound ways.”

Iger went on to say that he speaks for everyone at the company when he says “there is nothing we love more than to entertain you, thrill you, surprise you, and fill your hearts with joy and wonder.”

“And we know that when we do all of that, we’re doing our jobs right,” he noted.

For Iger, D23 allows Disney “the chance to pull back the curtain” and offer fans “a glimpse of the vast array of creativity, talent, and innovation that powers our wonderful company.”

“It is such a privilege for me to lead such a remarkable company that brings joy to so many people around the world — both to the young, and as Walt liked to say, the young at heart,” Iger said, concluding his opening remarks. “We have a lot to be proud of and even more to look forward to.”

For generations, Disney Princesses have inspired women and girls to be true to their heart, dig a little deeper, and see how far they’ll go. Today, Disney announced a multi-year campaign called “Create Your World,” which will feature theatrical and streaming content, Disney Parks experiences, new music cover releases, consumer products, and more to encourage fans of all ages, everywhere, to discover their own brand of Princess magic that lies within them. Through the stories of beloved Disney Princess characters and their iconic adventures, “Create Your World” celebrates that every girl can go beyond dreaming big, to doing big things.

“Create Your World” is a multi-faceted campaign about giving girls today the opportunity and tools to use their imaginations, try new things, and believe in themselves while not forgetting the fun and magic that Disney Princesses bring to every part of life. Kicking off the campaign is a new brand spot released today called “The Magic Within.” This spot encourages girls and parents alike to be inspired by the limitless possibilities of their imagination and—like their favorite Princess character—go out into the world and shape their own reality. Through the eyes of a girl, discover how Princess stories inspire and empower her to find her inner magic and create her world as she sees it. Fans can enjoy this new content on YouTube, as well as across The Walt Disney Company’s global owned and operated channels.

In addition to the brand spot, Disney announced an ongoing collaboration with musical artists in a variety of genres to reimagine timeless Disney Princess songs, including “Almost There” from GRAMMY Award winner Coco Jones. This modern rendition of a beloved track celebrates the 15th anniversary of the fan-favorite film The Princess and the Frog (2009) and will be available across all music streaming platforms on Friday, August 9. This new take on Princess Tiana’s anthem highlighting her determination to achieve her dreams showcases how, even today, Princess music and stories continue to inspire today’s artists to create their world. Additional covers of classic Princess songs will be released throughout the campaign. While waiting for new songs to release, fans can enjoy a curated Disney Princess playlist throughout the month of August on their favorite music streaming platform.

This campaign will celebrate the milestone anniversaries of cherished films such as Cinderella (1950), The Little Mermaid (1989), Pocahontas (1995), and more, as these stories continue to inspire and entertain generations of fans as a part of their enduring storytelling legacy. To reminisce on favorite Princess tales, fans can enjoy the entire Disney Princess library on Disney+. And, to continue the stories of these enchanting Disney Princesses, this campaign will also provide an opportunity for fans to enjoy new upcoming content from Disney Entertainment at home and on the big screen, including Moana 2, releasing in theaters on Wednesday, November 27; new episodes of Disney Jr.’s Ariel, now streaming on Disney+; an all-new LEGO Pixar Brave short coming to Disney+ in September; the entire LEGO Disney Princess: The Castle Quest special streaming on YouTube starting today; and more.

From the high seas to a frozen stage, fans can watch their favorite Disney Princesses come to life and celebrate their stories of bravery, strength, curiosity, and love when Disney On Ice skates into their hometown. With five unique shows, there’s something for every Disney fan. For tour schedules, visit DisneyOnIce.com.

Disney Jr.’s Ariel will make her debut in “Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let’s Play” visiting over 60 U.S. cities this fall. For tickets and additional information, visit DisneyJuniorTour.com.

Throughout the campaign, new and exclusive consumer products will be available for fans to bring home. From the Disney Music Emporium, a special edition vinyl soundtrack of Disney’s The Little Mermaid celebrating its 35th anniversary will be available for pre-order starting today and will release Friday, August 23. Consumers can also find Disney Princess products focusing on world building and role play, such as the new and highly interactive Disney Princess Deluxe Day Spa Style Set from JAKKS Pacific, the Disney Princess Market Adventure set from LEGO Group, and the Carriage to Castle Transforming Playset from Mattel—available globally. Fans can also enjoy products from brands such as Barefoot Dreams, DIFF Eyewear, Janie and Jack, Loungefly, Sassy Woof, Sigma Beauty, Tweezerman, Unique Vintage, Vera Bradley, and more. A full list of consumer product offerings will be released at a later date. Consumers can also tune in to Good Morning America on Thursday, August 1, to learn more about these products and enjoy exclusive reveals.

Disney Princess fans can also shop the stories they love with Disney Store, with all-new merchandise to help them harness their imagination and passion to create their world. New products include the Once Upon a Story Mini Doll Playsets and the new Disney Store Disney Princess roleplay line featuring characters like Disney’s Belle, Rapunzel, and others.

During the month of August, Princesses of all ages will experience one-of-a-kind offerings across the worlds of Disney. For those attending D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa in Anaheim, California, at the Anaheim Convention Center on August 9, 10, and 11, 2024, Disney Princess will be highlighted throughout the weekend with specialty programming such as Disney Princess – The Concert featuring the extremely talented Tony Award nominee Susan Egan, GRAMMY Award nominee Courtney Reed, and BroadwayWorld Award winner Syndee Winters. During this special performance of Disney Princess – The Concert, Jones will be performing live, for the very first time, her new take on “Almost There.” Other programming offerings include the Disney Princess: Creating Tiana’s World panel with host Yvette Nicole Brown, where she will facilitate an inspiring conversation with Disney Legend Anika Noni Rose, the voice of Tiana; Joyce Sherrí, director of Disney+ Original series Tiana,; and Disney Imagineers Charita Carter, executive creative producer, Ted Robledo, portfolio executive creative director, and Carmen Smith, SVP Creative Development & Inclusive Strategies, Disney Experiences, as they peek into all the ways Tiana’s iconic story and vibrant world continues to be brought to life. At the World of Disney: The Product Experience shopping location within the event, guests can snap a photo alongside life size LEGO builds of beautiful Disney Princess dresses and participate in an interactive LEGO mural.

Following this event, guests can look forward to World Princess Week from August 25–31, with Disney Experiences around the world joining the celebration with new and returning offerings available for a limited time:

• Disneyland Paris will celebrate with an expanded presence of beloved Disney Princess characters at Disneyland Park starting August 25, including the exclusive show “Live Your Story – a Disney Princess Celebration,” and specialty Disney Princess-themed food and beverage items.
• From August 1–September 1, Hong Kong Disneyland will also join the festivities with the celebratory “Royal Enchantment: A Princess Processional” every Friday to Sunday, featuring beloved Disney Princess characters in Fantasyland and new princess-themed cupcakes at Royal Banquet Hall. Additionally, guests may find fan-favorite princess characters appearing daily in Adventureland.
• At Walt Disney World Resort, guests will have a chance to experience the new attraction Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and may also feel like royalty with delectable food and beverage items available throughout August.
• At Disneyland Resort, princess-themed novelty sippers may be purchased while supplies last.

Aboard the new Disney Cruise Line ship the Disney Treasure, which will set sail in December 2024, Princess stories will come to life through Broadway-style shows including Moana and Beauty and the Beast. Fans with an adventurous spirit and looking to explore new places can travel like a Disney Princess year-round with Adventures by Disney on special itineraries inspired by Disney Princess stories. These guided group vacations allow families to explore real-world destinations like Scotland, France, Germany, and China, experiencing the cultures and settings that shaped tales of Princesses like Merida, Belle, Rapunzel, and Mulan. Crafted by Disney experts, each journey offers exclusive activities and authentic experiences, bringing Disney magic to life and creating a lifetime of magical memories. For additional information on Disney Experiences offerings, fans can visit the Disney Parks Blog, as well as Disney Parks TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram social channels.

Disney Emoji Blitz is also celebrating World Princess Week with the brand-new Aventurine Tiana emoji. Fans will have the chance to earn her emoji in the Rhythm on the River Token Quest from August 21–30. At home, Princesses-in-training can enjoy specially curated World Princess Week programming on Disney Channel. Disney Jr. will also present a slate of programming, including new episodes of Disney Jr.’s Ariel, throughout the week.

To further extend the “Create Your World” campaign, Disney Publishing will be rolling out several new Princess-themed titles that readers of all ages can enjoy, including Rapunzel: Paintbrush Pals, a global release that explores Rapunzel’s creativity and the inspiration behind some of the murals in her tower. Young readers can also see their favorite Princesses in the new Little Golden Books from Random House Children’s, such as the Leading Ladies! Little Golden Book, where all 13 Princesses take center stage to tell stories about leadership, empowerment, and community. Insight Editions and world-renowned paper engineer Matthew Reinhart also teamed up for the stunningly crafted Cinderella Pop-Up Book that tells the beloved tale in a whole new way by bringing the iconic scenes and characters to life in vibrant detail. Rose will also be releasing her debut picture book, Tiana’s Perfect Plan—a never–before-seen New Orleans adventure from the voice of Tiana herself. For young adult readers, several New York Times Best-Selling authors are coming out with several new titles, including A Sword in the Slumber from the Queen’s Council series by Sara Raasch, which tells a thrilling reimagining of Princess Aurora’s fairy tale, as well as Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren, a witty and deeply romantic modern reimagining of Disney’s Tangled.

The Walt Disney Company is also bringing the magic of the “Create Your World” campaign to wish kids to deliver joy when it’s needed most. For nearly 45 years, Disney and Make-A-Wish have worked together to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, many of them inspired by a child’s most heartfelt wish to meet their favorite Disney Princess. Like the beloved characters themselves, wishes renew hope, uplift spirits, and unite families, friends, and communities in transformative journeys. Throughout the “Create Your World” campaign, Disney will be sharing special Princess wishes, illustrating their ability to empower wish kids and ignite their imagination and confidence.

Disney has also teamed up with nonprofit, Starlight Children’s Foundation, to make Princess-themed deliveries to 450 children’s hospitals and pediatric places of care across the United States during the month of August. These packages of Princess toys, books, games, and more will bring young patients a sense of familiarity during their hospital stays and moments of delight as they engage their imaginations with beloved Princess characters. And, in celebration of the launch of “Create Your World,” Disney and Starlight Children’s Foundation are unveiling a new design for Disney-themed Starlight Hospital Gowns and Pants, welcoming Princess Jasmine to the existing line of iconic Disney Princess-themed hospital gowns. These fun and comfortable designs allow children in hospitals to channel the courageous, positive spirit of their favorite Princess during their hospital stay. Both the deliveries and the new Jasmine gown will be celebrated at a special hospital event at Seattle Children’s Hospital with a special princess guest and the gown’s designer in attendance. These Princess deliveries and new hospital wear designs are part of Disney’s $100 million global commitment to help reimagine the patient experience in children’s hospitals.

Follow @thedisneyprincesses on Instagram and @disneyprincess on Facebook throughout August for exciting announcements and magical Princess fun. Fans can use #DisneyPrincessCreateYourWorld and #WorldPrincessWeek to join the conversation and visit princess.disney.com to get more information on the festivities leading up to World Princess Week, download activity pages for the family, browse new products, and more.

A version of this article previously appeared on DisneyConnect.com

Every day, in every corner of Walt Disney World Resort, magic is happening.

The teams at Walt Disney World Marketing, Disney’s Internal creative agency, Yellow Shoes, and agency partner, Dentsu, were tasked with bottling those authentic guest moments into an ad campaign conveying that Walt Disney World is The Most Magical Place On Earth.

The end result is the simple yet powerful campaign called This Is Magic.

Last month, This Is Magic was awarded the prestigious Silver Lion in the Brand Storytelling category at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.

While the final product may be elegantly simple, the process to get there took significant time and thought. Here’s the story of how the teams were able to pull it together.

A Resonance Only Disney Has

“Our inspiration for This is Magic came from reading guests letters, hearing from our cast and seeing it playing out in our parks,” Sivonne Davis, VP of Marketing Strategy at Walt Disney World, said.

Fans fondly reminisce about things like meeting their favorite character at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, being left speechless while they watch the Happily Ever After fireworks, or even just a quiet moment for a parent relaxing in the Art of Animation Pool.

“There are only a handful of brands that have a special place in people’s lives and hearts. Disney is one of them,” Helen Pak, SVP of Creative – Marketing, Design and Content, explained. “The relationship that Disney has with consumers and guests is special and one filled with a lot of joy, meaning and memory.”

Rather than overcomplicate communicating that idea, the team chose instead to convey that relationship in as straightforward a way as possible. They gravitated towards the phrase “This is Magic”, and centered the campaign around images accompanied by those simple words.

The final product would have to show “real guests, having fun on their vacations at Walt Disney World Resort,” Davis said.

259 real people, 30 hours of footage, 57 moments of real magic

The team set out to film authentic moments of magic occurring throughout the resort.

“Our challenge was to ensure that these moments didn’t just look and feel real as an ad – they had to be real,” Pak said.

To accomplish that, the production was stripped down: crew was kept as small as possible, talent on screen wore their own clothes and didn’t have any make-up on.

“There was no direction given to individuals and families. We didn’t have a set script,” Pak said. “The cameras were documenting real magic being experienced as it happened.”

The crews left their cameras running as much as possible to catch any authentic moment as it happened, which gave them an overwhelming amount of footage to pick through.

“We had 259 real people selected, captured 30+ hours of content and featured 57 moments of real magic,” Pak noted.

Once the final moments were selected, the teams honored them by not getting in the way. That meant no voice overs, musical tracks, or effects. In the finished product, moments play out in full and unedited on screen, with a simple note of the time and location appearing on screen.

Sharing the Magic

The campaign launched on Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest on December 31. It was then shared both on linear television and digitally.

To get the message out there even further, the team was “fortunate to be able to work with outstanding partners and with them dream big, leaning into the broad reach of audiences and love of the brand that The Walt Disney Company has,” Davis explained.

The campaign broke new ground with the first-ever social stories takeover. Moments from the campaign were shared at the exact same time they had happened at Walt Disney World.

The team got an assist from some of the biggest social channels that Disney has to offer, like @disney, @starwars, @pixar, and @disneyparks. The result was massive exposure, with over 107 million people experiencing those magic moments over social media.

Connecting with Audiences and Critics Alike

“I cry every time I see several of the family stories, thinking to my own cherished moments with my mom here,” Davis said.

As evidenced by its Silver Lion win, she wasn’t the only one the campaign resonated with.

“The stories you see on screen are from our guests, yet they are also a representation of the joy we feel as cast members of Walt Disney World Resort,” Davis explained.

Davis went on to explain that due to the connection that cast members have to the resort, it’s not just guests being celebrated, “but our own cast are being seen too.”

Building on The Walt Disney Company’s $100 million commitment to help reimagine the patient experience in children’s hospitals around the world, CEO Bob Iger announced funding for the creation of a state-of-the-art, fully accessible MediCinema theater at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). The project will bring movie magic to patients, their families, and the medical staff who care for them.

Iger announced the new MediCinema initiative on Monday during a special visit to GOSH alongside two characters from Pixar’s upcoming Inside Out 2. He also surprised the young patients with the news that they would be among the first to see the brand-new film, along with children at nearly 500 hospitals around the world.

“Disney’s close relationship with the United Kingdom extends back decades, and we are particularly proud of our lasting work with London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital,” Iger said. “We hope that this new state-of-the-art MediCinema will bring moments of happiness and joy to the children and families who need it most, and we look forward to continuing to find more ways to bring the magic of Disney to life in children’s hospitals around the world.”

Disney has a long history of supporting GOSH, dating back to 1951, when Walt Disney himself first visited the hospital. Disney is also a founding partner of MediCinema, which for the past 25 years has been building cinemas equipped with space for beds, wheelchairs, and medical equipment.

In 2018, as one of the very first beneficiaries of the $100 million initiative, the hospital unveiled its new underwater-themed outdoor play area, the Disney Reef. It provides an enjoyable place for children in the hospital to spend quality time with their families. Together, Disney and GOSH Charity are also transforming the hospital’s indoor play area.

“Our staff go above and beyond to try and ensure children feel as welcome and as comfortable at GOSH as possible, and we’re delighted Disney is continuing to make our hospital that bit more special,” Matthew Shaw, Chief Executive of GOSH, said.

During the visit, Iger also spent time meeting several of the children undergoing treatment in the hospital and spoke to the hospital’s play specialists about their work and the impact that Disney’s support brings.

Disney’s commitment to uplift children facing serious illnesses has been a pillar of the company for nearly a century and continues to this day. In fact, since the $100 million commitment six years ago, the company has supported more than 1,300 hospitals worldwide.

On Thursday, TIME named The Walt Disney Company to its TIME100 Most Influential Companies list, which highlights companies making an extraordinary impact around the world.

This is the fourth annual edition of the list, and notably, Disney has been featured every year since the list’s inception in 2021.

In detailing the honor, the iconic news magazine highlighted Disney’s competitive strengths in the entertainment industry and noted the company’s focus on achieving profitability in its streaming businesses.

The TIME100 Most Influential Companies list is a diverse group of 100 businesses helping chart an essential path forward, and this year, Disney was the only media & entertainment company to be included on the list.

According to Time, to select the list, the magazine’s editors, “request suggestions and applications from across sectors, survey our contributors and correspondents around the world, and seek advice from outside experts.”

“No single data point or financial metric makes a TIME100 Company,” TIME said. “Instead, we are looking at a mosaic of qualities, studying impact, innovation, ambition, and success, all in the many different forms that take shape today.”