Money Talks: Can Disney rekindle the magic?
Money Talks from The Economist
The Economist
4.4 • 1.2K Ratings
🗓️ 26 January 2023
⏱️ 42 minutes
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Summary
The Walt Disney Company turns 100 years old this week. But the silver screen success that helped it become the world’s biggest entertainment company will not be enough to keep it on top for another century. As households swap cable packages for streaming, and kids turn to gaming, rather than movies, Disney needs reanimating.
On this week’s podcast, hosts Tom Lee-Devlin, Alice Fulwood and Mike Bird ask whether Disney has lost its touch. The Economist’s Tom Wainwright takes us on a tour of the Magic Kingdom, to assess its sprawling empire. Analyst Rich Greenfield explains why the company is losing billions on streaming. And Matthew Ball, former head of strategy for Amazon Studios, tells us about the big bet Disney needs to make if it wants to retain its crown.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Money talks from the economist is sponsored by Invest Puerto Rico. |
| 0:06.0 | More than just a Caribbean paradise, Puerto Rico is a business powerhouse. |
| 0:11.0 | This U.S. territory is a fast-growing hub for innovators. |
| 0:15.0 | Puerto Rico boasts numerous tax credits, business incentives, |
| 0:19.0 | and world-class talent that take your business to the next level. |
| 0:23.0 | Find out why at InvestPR.org. |
| 0:26.0 | Gamechangers, welcome home. |
| 0:30.0 | It all began with an animated mouse, Whistlin, as he swung his hips at the helm of a paddle steamer. |
| 0:45.0 | Steamboat Willie, an eight-minute-long clip released in 1928, |
| 0:52.0 | was the first time the public met Mickey Mouse. |
| 0:55.0 | The big-eared cartoon rodent that became the face of the Walt Disney company. |
| 1:04.0 | Six years later, Walt Disney himself risked his house to fund his first animated feature film, |
| 1:10.0 | Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. |
| 1:18.0 | After that, it was on to live action with films like Mary Poppins. |
| 1:22.0 | Now Disney, which turns 100 years old on Friday, is worth $180 billion. |
| 1:34.0 | Nor only does it own Marvel. |
| 1:36.0 | I am Iron Man. The suit and I are one. |
| 1:40.0 | Lucasfilm. |
| 1:41.0 | The Force. It's calling to you. |
| 1:44.0 | I'm 21st Century Fox. |
| 1:47.0 | It also owns Television Broadcaster ABC, a US Sports Network ESPN, |
| 1:56.0 | as well as theme parks, stores, and even a cruise line. |
... |
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