News

D-Day for Disney – will subscribers surge?

Published

4 years ago

November 12, 2021

Brittany Coles

Disney+ Day is finally here, marking two years since the birth of the streaming platform. After reporting slow streaming growth, will this be Disney’s happily ever after?

TICKER ENTERTAINMENT

Disneyland is renowned as the happiest place on earth, but maybe not on wall street.

Disney has reported slow streaming growth in its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday after-the-bell.

It’s probably its laggiest in terms of subscriber growth since Disney Plus launched back in 2019.

The company did reach a total of one hundred and 18 million subscribers, which is in line with its estimates.

CEO Bob Chapek said the segment’s growth had “hit some headwinds” and that Disney expected to add “low single-digit millions” of subs into the fourth quarter.

Now, this really isn’t much of a surprise, back in September, Disney warned of a slowdown in growth due to COVID-19

Is Disney still on track to meet subscriber targets?

Well, Disney certainly thinks so.

During the company’s earnings call, Chapek said the company’s goal of reaching 230 million to 260 million Disney+ subscribers by 2024 is still firm.

“We remain focused on managing our DTC business for the long term, not quarter to quarter,” Chapek said. International expansion and new content are the primary drivers for the company to reach that target, Chapek told CNBC.

Is Disney+ Day D-Day?

Disney plus day falls on November 12th, AKA the birthday of the streaming service.

There is exclusive new trailers, announcements, and discounts, with special appearances from stars and creators too.

Most importantly – a prime opportunity to boost subs.

The company said Quarter 4 will be the first time in Disney plus history that it will release original content throughout the quarter from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and even Nat Geo.

Unlike Netflix’s Tudum and Warner Bros’ DC Fandome events, Disney Plus Day won’t be available to watch on YouTube or Twitch.

Instead, Disney Plus subscribers will see a live presentation exclusively on Disney Plus, which will reveal more concerning any first look trailers and clips, star appearances and extra content.

Disney+ Day will market some impressive deals for a limited time, with the aim to boost subs.

From now until November 14, Disney is offering a one-month subscription for just $1.99.

Given that it usually costs $7.99 per month, it’s an incredible saving for people who have been thinking of signing up to the service, but unsure if they wanted to add another streaming subscription to the mix.

The company is hoping for promising results come the next earning call.

News

Oil prices surge as U.S.-Iran tensions escalate

Published

11 minutes ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Crude oil prices jumped over 3% on Wednesday as U.S.-Iran nuclear talks showed signs of faltering, pushing WTI futures above $65 per barrel. Axios reported disagreements over the venue and scope of Friday’s talks, while President Trump warned Iran’s supreme leader to “be very worried,” stoking fears of military escalation.

Tensions in the Persian Gulf added to the volatility. A U.S. F-35C shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln, and Iranian vessels threatened a U.S.-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The USS McFaul escorted the tanker to safety, highlighting the region’s fragile oil supply routes.

Despite the clashes, nuclear talks will go ahead on Friday in Oman, but uncertainty continues to drive oil market volatility, with traders closely watching both diplomatic and military developments.

#OilPrices #IranUS #NuclearTalks #PersianGulf #WTI #EnergyMarket #Geopolitics #OilSupply

News

Washington Post layoffs: Hundreds of journalists cut as Bezos faces criticism

Published

1 hour ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

The Washington Post has laid off hundreds of employees, marking what former executive editor Martin Baron calls “one of the darkest days” in the paper’s history. Approximately one-third of the newsroom staff were affected, as the company undertakes a so-called “strategic reset” to compete in a crowded media landscape.

The cuts hit key areas, including the sports desk, local coverage, international reporting, the books desk, and the flagship daily news podcast. Editor-in-Chief Matt Murray said the changes aim to prioritise national security, politics, science, health, technology, climate, and business coverage while positioning the Post for the future.

Critics have called out owner Jeff Bezos for his silence during the layoffs and alleged efforts to influence the paper’s political stance. Former editor Baron warned that the newspaper’s ambitions would be sharply diminished and its credibility could suffer.

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News

Amazon launches AI tools to change film and television production

Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.

Published

7 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.

Amazon MGM Studios is stepping into the future of entertainment by developing artificial intelligence tools designed to reduce production costs and streamline filmmaking processes. This closed beta, launching in March, will let industry partners test how AI can enhance creativity and efficiency on set.

Amy Cheng, leading the AI Studio team, emphasises that while AI can accelerate workflows, it will never replace the unique contributions of human creativity. The initiative represents Amazon’s push to innovate in content creation while maintaining the art of storytelling.

The use of AI in Hollywood is expanding rapidly, sparking discussions about its impact on jobs and the future of the industry. As studios explore automation, the balance between efficiency and human artistry remains a central concern.

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