As the holidays wind down news of the Disney company, bonuses, lawsuits, and takeovers just seem to be getting stirred up! Some of the recent media coverage of the Disney company has been, let's just say, eager to grab you attention.
Almost like clockwork, speculation raised its ugly head about an imminent "takeover" of Disney. Whereas in the past everyone from Bill Gates to Steven Spielburg has been rumored to be taking a fancy to the Mouse, this year the "threat" was said to come from overseas, with Vinvendi/Universal leading the pack. Dismissals of the takeover were immediate and very clear. "I don't believe Disney is a takeover target. Nor do I believe that we're wounded," said Disney President Robert Iger, speaking in Scottsdale, Arizona (as quoted by Reuters). There has been speculation that Disney was looking to acquire some additional distribution channels for its already established content. "Our focus is on content. That is what we do best" Iger said.
Over at ABC an executive shuffle earlier this month continues the managerial juggling the network has endured since Disney acquired it in 1995. Stu Bloomberg has resigned after 23 years at ABC. The network moved quickly, putting Susan Lyne into the position of the President of ABC Entertainment, a position that had been vacant since 1999. Bloomberg's co-chairmen of ABC Entertainment, Lloyd Braun, has become the sole chairman, over Lyne. Hopefully the shake-up will get ABC moving and out of last place in the Neilson Ratings. Word has also come that the annoying "Yellow & Black" branding of ABC is coming to an end. The move back to a more "traditional" look for ABC is a sign the network may be trying to get back to its more "family" oriented programming.
No bonuses for top Disney executives. Neither Eisner or Iger will get bonuses for fiscal year 2001, the company's Executive Compensation Committee announced in a proxy statement filed with the SEC. They cited the fact that "2001 (revenue) targets had not been achieved." Based on past cycles, 2002 should see some growth and increases in revenue. Disney stock continues to hover around $24.00 a share, with a $34.80 high and $15.50 low for the last 52 weeks.
Inside Disneyland, refurbishments are the rule. The current list of down attractions is lengthy. I would expect to see more and more of this off-season work, as the 50th anniversary approaches. Fantasmic! will be returning around the end of June. Word has it that rehearsals are set to begin on June 13th. Superstar Limo at DCA has gone down with no apparent return date. Inside sources have the return of this attraction "to be determined", and word has it that the long rumored "Goofy" makeover is on its way. Some sources state that old Disney Store figures will be used in this attraction. Which I have to admit, would be a quick, cheap, and easy way to add The Mouse and Crew to the ride. We will have to wait and see. According to some, LuminAria may not return next year. Official calendars show the holiday firework spectacle dark, permanently. Having witnessed the final show, and having enjoyed it, I hope LuminAria returns. In other holiday attraction news, look for Haunted Mansion Holiday to return next year with a more "Elfman-esque" soundtrack. The soundtrack will be re-worked to include actual Danny Elfman music, and the entire thing, script and music, is to be included on next years Holiday Music CD
Over in WDW, work continues on Mission Space at Epcot. Word has leaked that this attraction may be delayed (as much as a year). Hopefully this will not be another Test Track. Test Track opened almost two years late, and cost Disney GM sponsorship of the now retired Rocket Rods attraction at Disneyland. Mission Space is sponsored by Compaq, continuing the computer giant's relationship with the Mouse. As the "100 Years Of Magic" celebration continues in Orlando, park attendance has remained stagnant, after near-capacity crowds over the Christmas/New Years holidays. One Orlando rumor that I have to mention is that the Haunted Mansion there may get a permanent Nightmare makeover. The thinking behind this is that it is a cheap way to get a "new" attraction there, and that Disney purists would be more apt to accept a permanent change of this attraction at the Magic Kingdom, where they would cry "foul" if this happened at Disneyland. I am sure there are strong feelings both ways, but for now, I am betting that this will not happen. Time will tell.
The
Hunchback musical currently onstage in Berlin, Germany, Der Glöckner von Notre Dame, will be imported to the U.S. on the Wonderful World of Disney television program. Importing a Disney product/show from Europe is a first for the Mouse. Look for this to spark a traveling production of the popular musical here in the U.S. Onstage outside the U.S., Disney currently has
Beauty and the Beast in Madrid and the United Kingdom,
Lion King in Hamburg, Japan, Toronto and the United Kingdom,
Aida in Amsterdam, and the
Hunchback in Berlin.
Next week a whole new article/format, Intercot West Interactive.
Have a great week!
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