Core Viewpoint - Disney is currently producing an animated film titled "Lilo & Stitch 2" [1] Group 1 - The film "Lilo & Stitch 2" is a sequel to the original animated movie [1]

Core Viewpoint - Disney is producing an animated film titled "Lilo & Stitch 2" [1] Group 1 - The film "Lilo & Stitch 2" is a sequel to the original animated movie [1]

Core Insights - Charter Communications and The Walt Disney Company have announced an expanded distribution agreement that includes Hulu (With Ads) for all Spectrum TV Select customers at no additional cost, enhancing the value of the TV Select package [1][7] - The agreement also reinstates eight Disney-owned linear networks to Spectrum's channel lineup, which will increase the overall entertainment offering and advertising reach for both companies [2][7] - The deal is expected to improve subscriber retention and is supported by marketing efforts, reflecting a commitment to innovative distribution models that combine linear and streaming services [3][7] Company and Industry Summary - The addition of Hulu and the return of Disney's networks will elevate the retail streaming value for TV Select customers to over $100 per month, showcasing the competitive advantage of bundled services [1][7] - Charter Communications serves over 57 million homes and businesses across 41 states, providing a range of services including broadband and cable under the Spectrum brand [5] - The Walt Disney Company reported annual revenue of $91.4 billion in its Fiscal Year 2024, indicating its strong position in the entertainment and media industry [8]

Core Insights - Disney's Pixar animation studio experienced its worst opening ever with "Elio," which generated only $21 million in its first three days, marking a record low for the studio [1] - The underperformance of "Elio" aligns with a trend where original films from Pixar and other animation studios have struggled compared to sequels, with "Elemental" previously holding the lowest opening at $29.6 million [2] - The animation industry has seen a significant preference for sequels over original content, with less than a third of nearly 30 animated releases since 2022 being original stories [5] Industry Trends - The gap between original intellectual property and sequels has widened significantly, posing challenges for studios aiming to expand their IP portfolios [4] - Post-pandemic, studios have focused on familiar content, leading to an influx of franchise films, as audiences gravitate towards sequels that provide a sense of comfort [12] - Since 2016, original titles have consistently made up a small fraction of the highest-grossing domestic releases, with none of the top 20 films in 2024 being original storylines [13] Competitive Landscape - Increased competition from other studios like Universal, Sony, Warner Bros., and Paramount has made families more selective about which films to watch in theaters versus at home [10] - The release of "Elio" coincided with other successful live-action remakes, which continued to attract audiences, further impacting its performance [11] - The animation sector is facing existential threats from evolving streaming economics and new competitors, making sequels a safer investment for traditional studios [14] Future Opportunities - Original films like "Elio" may still find success through extended theatrical runs and streaming platforms, potentially leading to future installments and merchandising opportunities [15] - Historical examples, such as "Encanto," demonstrate that films can gain popularity post-release, suggesting a potential for original content to thrive in the long term [16]

Group 1 - Disney has conducted a second round of layoffs this month, specifically in the product and technology sectors, affecting under 2% of the group [1] - The layoffs are part of a strategy to rebalance resources while the company continues to hire in product and technology [1] - Earlier this month, Disney also let go of several hundred employees, primarily in TV and film marketing, due to a decline in linear TV viewership [2] Group 2 - The company has been reducing headcount in recent years as audiences shift from traditional TV to streaming platforms, where profitability has been slow to materialize [3] - CEO Bob Iger initiated plans for significant job cuts upon his return in late 2022, announcing a total reduction of 7,000 jobs for 2023 [3]

>> We have a new best stock in the market according to Josh Brown on his list. It's Disney. How did this make the cut.>> Yeah I was very surprised myself. You know one of the reasons why we keep this list is so that rather than just accept what the narratives are, just generally speaking on social media or in the media, we can see what's going on with our own two eyes and what's actually working. And this is a big surprise for me.Seven entertainment industry stocks are now on the list. Disney is one of them ...

Core Insights - The streaming industry is experiencing intensified competition as traditional media companies vie for market leadership, with Disney and Paramount Global showcasing divergent paths in their entertainment strategies [1][2] Disney Overview - Disney's franchise portfolio, including Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar, has significantly bolstered Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu, establishing them as major players in the streaming market [2] - In fiscal Q2 2025, Disney reported a 20% increase in adjusted EPS year-over-year, with a 32% rise in the first half of fiscal 2025, reflecting strong operational execution and strategic focus [3] - The streaming segment is a key growth driver, with operating income for Direct-to-Consumer improving to $336 million and Disney+ subscriptions reaching over 180 million, a 2.5 million increase from the previous quarter [4] - Disney's Experiences segment is also performing well, with ongoing global expansion projects, including a new theme park in Abu Dhabi, and a strong content slate for 2025 [5] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Disney's fiscal 2025 revenues is $94.89 billion, indicating a 3.86% year-over-year growth, with earnings expected to rise 15.9% to $5.76 per share [6] Paramount Global Overview - Paramount Global's Q1 2025 results indicate ongoing structural challenges, with total revenues declining by 6%, including a 19% drop in advertising revenues [7] - Despite a 11% year-over-year increase in Paramount+ subscribers to 79 million, the streaming segment remains unprofitable, with a DTC adjusted OIBDA loss of $109 million [8] - Linear television revenues fell by 13% to $4.5 billion, with affiliate and subscription revenues down 9%, reflecting broader industry trends [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Paramount's 2025 earnings is $1.3 per share, a 15.58% decrease year-over-year, with revenues projected at $28.37 billion, indicating a 2.88% decline [11] Valuation and Performance Comparison - Disney's stock has outperformed Paramount's, with a 15.9% return over the past three months compared to Paramount's 6.1% increase [12] - Disney's price-to-earnings ratio stands at 19.24x, significantly higher than Paramount's 8.44x, reflecting market confidence in Disney's growth potential [15] - Disney's higher valuation is supported by its strong cash generation, diversified revenue streams, and successful monetization of intellectual property, while Paramount's discounted valuation indicates fundamental business challenges [16] Conclusion - Disney is positioned as the superior investment choice for the second half of 2025, demonstrating operational excellence and achieving streaming profitability ahead of schedule [19] - Paramount Global faces ongoing profitability issues and declining revenues, making it less attractive for investors [19]

Core Insights - The latest Pixar film "Elio" has underperformed at the box office, grossing $21 million domestically during its opening weekend, marking the worst opening for a Pixar film in modern history [1][2] - The film's total worldwide gross for the opening weekend was $35 million, including $14 million from international markets [2] - "Elio" is the only Pixar film scheduled for release in 2025, which may negatively impact Disney's comparable sales against the successful 2024 film "Inside Out 2," which grossed $1.69 billion worldwide [2] Box Office Performance - "Elio" ranked third at the box office, behind "28 Years Later" and "How to Train Your Dragon," which grossed $37 million in its second weekend, contributing to a total of $160.4 million domestically [1][3] - Five of the top ten grossing films in 2025 are kid-friendly, with "A Minecraft Movie" leading at $423.9 million and Disney's live-action "Lilo & Stitch" at $386.7 million [4][5] Future Outlook - Despite the disappointing opening of "Elio," Disney has a strong lineup of upcoming films, including "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," "Tron: Ares," "Zootopia 2," and "Avatar: Fire and Ash," which could bolster box office performance in the second half of 2025 [8][9] - Disney has already surpassed $1 billion at the domestic box office year-to-date in 2025 and aims to reach the $2 billion milestone for the second time since 2019 [7][8] Stock Performance - Disney's stock was trading down 1.07% at $116.37, with a year-to-date increase of 5.7% and a 14.8% rise over the last year [10]

Core Insights - The entertainment industry has shifted from traditional cable to digital streaming, with significant growth driven by platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Spotify [2][5]. Industry Overview - Streaming technology allows instant playback of content, enhancing user experience with minimal buffering and accessibility across various devices [3]. - The global video streaming market is projected to generate $190 billion annually from 2 billion paid subscriptions by 2029, with Subscription Video-on-Demand remaining dominant [4]. - Companies are investing in exclusive content to compete in the "content wars," with innovations in AI and connected devices further driving growth [3][5]. Company Insights: Netflix - Netflix aims to double revenues by 2030, targeting a $1 trillion market cap, with strategies including expanding its content library and launching an ad-supported tier [10]. - The ad-supported tier has gained traction, with over 55% of new subscribers opting for this model, projecting advertising revenues to reach $9 billion annually by 2030 [10]. - Netflix's international expansion focuses on localized content, contributing to strong viewer engagement, with average watch time nearing two hours daily per user [9]. Company Insights: Disney - Disney+ has rapidly grown since its launch in 2019, now operating three major platforms: Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu, each targeting different audience segments [11]. - The platform's diverse content lineup, including popular franchises, is a key growth driver, with plans for simultaneous releases of big-budget films on Disney+ [12][13]. - Disney is enhancing its streaming offerings by improving user experience and focusing on sports content, particularly live events, to drive long-term growth [14]. Company Insights: Spotify - Spotify has redefined audio streaming since its launch in 2008, with over 100 million tracks and nearly 7 million podcasts, positioning itself at the center of the digital audio revolution [15]. - The platform is available in over 180 markets, with 678 million monthly active users, highlighting its effective localization strategy [16]. - Spotify's investments in product innovation and ad-tech capabilities are key growth drivers, expanding monetization channels through podcasts and audiobooks [17].

Core Insights - A new upscale steakhouse, Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina, is set to open at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, requiring guests to adhere to a dress code that reflects the restaurant's sophisticated aesthetic [1][2][4] - The restaurant will offer premium cuts of beef, seafood, and signature desserts, although a menu with prices has not yet been released [7] - The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, while not owned by Disney, provides guests with Disney benefits such as early theme park entry and complimentary transportation [10] Group 1 - Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina started accepting reservations last week, with the earliest available date being July 26 [4] - The restaurant is positioned as one of the Signature Dining experiences at the resort, emphasizing a dress code that prohibits swimwear and requires clean, neat attire [2][5] - Chef Michael Mina, a James Beard Award winner, expressed excitement about the partnership and the unique design of the restaurant tailored to its Orlando location [9] Group 2 - The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin features 24 dining options, including the new Bourbon Steak, enhancing its food and beverage program [4][5] - The resort is owned by Tishman Realty & Construction Corporation and MetLife, and managed by Marriott International, Inc., distinguishing it from Disney-owned properties [10] - The addition of Bourbon Steak aligns with the resort's commitment to culinary excellence and aims to elevate the dining experience for guests [5][9]