Disney Lands Taylor Swift Concert Film, Nick Saban Joins ESPN, ‘Moana 2’ Heads To Theaters In November: Key Announcements From Bob Iger

From Nasdaq:

1. The Walt Disney Company reported its first-quarter financial results, beating earnings estimates but missing on revenue. CEO Bob Iger shared several announcements during Disney’s conference call.

2. Taylor Swift released a record-breaking concert film in partnership with AMC Entertainment Holdings, which will stream exclusively on Disney+ on March 15. The film grossed over $180M domestically and over $260M worldwide, breaking records for concert films.

3. Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban will join ESPN as an on-air commentator. He will cover the NFL Draft, SEC Media Days, and be part of ESPN’s “College GameDay” coverage.

4. A sequel to the hit film “Moana” is set for theatrical release on Nov. 27, following the success of the original movie. A live-action movie for “Moana” is also in development.

5. Disney announced a $1.5-billion investment in Fortnite owner Epic Games, partnering to create new games and an entertainment universe that includes content, characters, and stories from Disney franchises.

6. Disney highlighted its Disney+ content lineup, including the hit children’s show “Bluey” and the “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series, as well as upcoming movie releases like “Frozen 3” and a new Star Wars movie.

7. Disney raised its semi-annual dividend and announced a $3-billion share buyback for the fiscal year, prioritizing dividends and share buybacks going forward. The company is also involved in a joint venture with Warner Bros. Discovery and Fox Corporation.

8. Disney’s CEO Bob Iger highlighted the success and importance of ESPN for sports fans, addressing concerns about cannibalization and the company’s strategy in the streaming and cord-cutting environment. Disney shares are trading 7% higher after-hours.



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