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Tag: Walt Disney

  • Disney’s ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ DVD premiere sells 5 mn units in US

    Disney’s ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ DVD premiere sells 5 mn units in US

    MUMBAI: Walt Disney Pictures’ Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest has sold nearly 5 million units on DVD in North America on its first day of release, as announced by Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment president Bob Chapek. This would put the Johnny Depp starrer on track to become the No.1 selling “live-action” DVD of all time.

    “We could not be more thrilled with the incredible success of Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” commented Chapek. “This franchise is a genuine treasure for us and we are ecstatic that the momentum generated at theatrical has continued with the DVD release. Consumers have an insatiable appetite for all things Pirates Of The Caribbean.”

    ” is officially on track to become the #1 selling DVD of the YPirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chestear. This, coupled with the recent extraordinary successes of Cars and the Platinum release of The Little Mermaid, continues to illustrate the enduring appeal of Disney branded movies in the DVD industry. It is our commitment to fans of Disney movies to do everything possible to keep their favorite DVDs in stock throughout the holiday season,” he continued.

    The Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’s theatrical opening weekend was the biggest in U.S. box-office history, and continues with a worldwide box-office gross of over a billion dollars to date, making it Disney’s most successful movie of all time, informs an official release.

    This fete now poises Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment to finish the 2006 year owning three of the top three DVD releases of the year with Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Cars and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

  • Disney’s ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ DVD premiere sells 5 mn units in US

    Disney’s ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ DVD premiere sells 5 mn units in US

    MUMBAI: Walt Disney Pictures’ Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest has sold nearly 5 million units on DVD in North America on its first day of release, as announced by Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment president Bob Chapek. This would put the Johnny Depp starrer on track to become the No.1 selling “live-action” DVD of all time.

    “We could not be more thrilled with the incredible success of Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” commented Chapek. “This franchise is a genuine treasure for us and we are ecstatic that the momentum generated at theatrical has continued with the DVD release. Consumers have an insatiable appetite for all things Pirates Of The Caribbean.”

    ” is officially on track to become the #1 selling DVD of the YPirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chestear. This, coupled with the recent extraordinary successes of Cars and the Platinum release of The Little Mermaid, continues to illustrate the enduring appeal of Disney branded movies in the DVD industry. It is our commitment to fans of Disney movies to do everything possible to keep their favorite DVDs in stock throughout the holiday season,” he continued.

    The Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’s theatrical opening weekend was the biggest in U.S. box-office history, and continues with a worldwide box-office gross of over a billion dollars to date, making it Disney’s most successful movie of all time, informs an official release.

    This fete now poises Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment to finish the 2006 year owning three of the top three DVD releases of the year with Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Cars and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

  • Warner/Chappell Music extends sub-publishing deal with Disney

    Warner/Chappell Music extends sub-publishing deal with Disney

    MUMBAI: Warner/Chappell Music, the publishing arm of Warner Music Group Corp., has announced an extension of its sub-publishing agreement with Disney Music Publishing.

    Under the agreement, Warner/Chappell will continue to administer the rights to more than 10,000 titles in the Disney music catalog, as well as the company’s future film and television releases, across most major markets in Europe and South America, states an official release.

    The agreement includes all classic and contemporary Disney compositions originating within The Walt Disney Company’s business units, including: animated feature films Cars, Toy Story, The Lion King, Aladdin, among others; live action feature films Pirates of the Caribbean, The Chronicles of Narnia; animated and live action television Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives; Walt Disney Records; The Disney Channel’s High School Musical, Cheetah Girls; theme parks and various Disney-related ventures.

    In making the announcement Warner/Chappell Music Chairman and CEO Richard Blackstone said, “We are very proud to continue our successful relationship with Disney Music Publishing and its celebrated catalog of compositions ranging from those embodied in iconic Disney animated films to popular culture’s most recognizable current television programs. In particular, I am hopeful that our new digital licensing initiatives will yield a substantial benefit to this wonderful catalog.”

    “Our association with Warner/Chappell has been a successful one, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to expand the reach of Disney’s catalog. We share Warner/Chappell’s commitment to finding innovative ways for audiences to enjoy our songs, whether they are Disney classics or contemporary hits,” added Disney Music Publishing senior vice president Julie Enzer.

  • UTV launching youth-centric entertainment channel in JV with Astro

    UTV launching youth-centric entertainment channel in JV with Astro

    MUMBAI: Ronnie Screwvala has swung back into action. After selling off kids channel Hungama TV to Walt Disney in July, he is making a re-entry into the broadcasting space.

    Screwvala’s UTV Software Communications Ltd. is forming a 50:50 joint venture with Malaysia-based Astro for launching a Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) aimed at the youth. An investment of Rs 2 billion will be earmarked towards this.

    The new venture will operate across multiple platforms, including a television channel, gaming, mobile, licensing and merchandising, ground events and the internet.

    The first television channel in Hindi is slated for launch in the second quarter of 2007, supported by a huge multimedia campaign and multi-city ground events. UTV is currently conducting extensive research on this target group as an input to its programming and marketing designs.

    The plans for the venture include the launch of multiple channels across languages in India and Southeast Asia. UTV had earlier entered into a business co-operation arrangement with Astro to set up kids channels in Malaysia and Indonesia, which launched on the Astro platform earlier this year.

    Screwvala is looking at creating a channel targeted at audiences between the age group of 15-25 years. In Hungama TV, the core audience was 4-14 years.

    Walt Disney has acquired 14.9 per cent stake in UTV, offering the multinational giant to participate in expansion opportunities in India. With the buyout of local Hindi channel Hungama TV in a combined purchase deal, Disney has already consolidated its position in the kids segment.

    UTV recently received the FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board) and other regulatory approvals for the sale of stake to Walt Disney. It may be recalled that Astro had signed the MoU with UTV to acquire 26 per cent in Hungama TV but with Disney later making a combined purchase offer, the deal didn’t sail through.

    Astro has ambitious plans in India and, along with Value Labs and NDTV, bought out the operations of Radio Today, the radio division of Living Media Group, which runs under the Red FM brand.

    The GEC segment is poised to see further activity with NDTV planning to make an entry. Star Plus continues to lead the space but is being challenged by Zee Telefilms. Sony TV hopes to stage a comeback with Big Boss.

    Screwvala’s attempt, analysts say, will be to carve out a specific target audience as he so successfully did in the kids space.

    Meanwhile, Disney’s acquisition of Hungama TV has concluded with the final approval from the FIPB. This was followed by the inflow of Rs 1.4 billion ($ 31.125 million) from Disney to UTV within a week. Disney has also invested Rs 670 million ($ 14.5 million) towards a 14.9 per cent stake in UTV. The two companies are now working out synergies in areas across television content production, movie production and broadcasting.

    “We will be working along with Disney in the areas of TV, animation and movies,” says UTV CEO Ronnie Screwvala.

    Areas of common involvement have been identified including the launch of niche channels, movie co-productions and television content creation by UTV for Disney channels.

    UTV scrip slipped 2.7 per cent in the BSE to end today at Rs 258.70.

  • Comcast inks distribution deal with Walt Disney; acquires E! Networks

    Comcast inks distribution deal with Walt Disney; acquires E! Networks

    MUMBAI: Comcast Corporation and The Walt Disney Company announced that they have entered into long-term comprehensive distribution agreements that will extend their relationship into the next decade for the 10 ABC-owned broadcast television stations and an array of Disney’s networks and services including: Disney Channel, ABC Family, Toon Disney, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN HD and increased carriage of SOAPnet.

    Comcast will also launch ESPN Deportes, a stand-alone Spanish-language sports network, and the companies formalised their ESPN2 HD agreement.

    In addition, Comcast has acquired The Walt Disney Company’s 39.5 per cent ownership stake in E! Networks. Following this acquisition, E! Networks, which includes E! Entertainment Television and Style Network, is now wholly owned by Comcast. The purchase price for the 39.5 per cent stake was $1.23 billion, states an official release.

    The companies have also agreed to add primetime television programs, cable network shows and Disney movies to Comcast’s signature On Demand service. Marking the first time ABC broadcast programs will be available on video on demand (VOD) by any cable company, several ABC primetime series will be offered free by Comcast in ABC-owned television station markets. The companies also said they will work together to make promotional content from the Disney-ABC Television Group available on Comcast’s broadband portal, www.comcast.net, adds the release.

    “This agreement reflects our ability to distribute content on multiple platforms and signals another first for Comcast and Disney as we continue to explore the evolving possibilities of digital technology. We could not have gotten this deal done without Bob Iger’s leadership and vision. Putting Disney, ESPN and ABC’s extremely popular content on Comcast VOD is a watershed event for both of our companies,” said Comcast chairman and chief executive officer Brian Roberts.

    “This is the first cable on-demand agreement for hit ABC primetime broadcast programs like Desperate Housewives and Lost and, when combined with Disney movies and other ABC/Disney/ESPN television programs, gives Comcast access to the most Disney content available.”

    The Walt Disney Company president and chief executive officer Robert A. Iger commented, “This is one of the broadest distribution agreements in the history of our company. Disney’s great brands and great content combined with Comcast’s leading distribution platforms provide an incredibly compelling consumer experience in sports, family, news and entertainment. We look forward to working with Brian and Steve Burke on a range of future projects as technology continues to evolve.”

  • Former Disney boss Eisner enunciates ‘box’ theory at HT summit

    Former Disney boss Eisner enunciates ‘box’ theory at HT summit

    MUMBAI: The success is all in a box. The financial box coupled with micro-management is the key to the success of any enterprise, says Michael Eisner, who used to head US media conglomerate Walt Disney.
    Speaking at the ongoing Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Eisner complimented India on its success and traced its cultural heritage as a reflection of its potential.

    Speaking about the glorious story of Walt Disney drawn from the concept of ‘Inside Box’, he pointed to the success that creativity could bring to any business. He also highlighted the need to learn lessons fast and to evolve to succeed rather than being bogged down by them.

    “We faced resistance when we entered France and were pelted with eggs. In India we did not get that reception. The Indian film industry is a success story, so I do not wish to suggest how it has to develop. But then we have developed the model that has had tremendous success” said Eisner.

    Stressing on the importance of weaving creativity around the financial box, he said, “Creativity is essential to any industry, not just animation. Creativity has to have a symbiotic relationship with financial aspects.”

    Eisner also pointed out that using the benefits of micro management, Disney achieved success. “We never lost a dime on a single movie, thanks to the financial box. Creativity can flourish within financial limits. It really works,” said Eisner.

    He explained that Disney, which was also involved in other activities, the financial box system had been deployed to achieve maximum benefits.

    Quality, creative products and the ability to bond with the customers was the mantra that Disney adopted in every toy, movie, hotel room, ashtray, Broadway, credit card etc. “Each of it is a dot that symbolises the Disney brand. The brand friendly initiative is also reflected in our hotel initiative (32 hotels) and each hotel is a financial box. We used whimsical icons to bring in creativity. In Star Cruise — it was a floating box –creativity was witnessed in gambling that was introduced,” said Eisner.

    Highlighting the importance of internet, Eisner said, “The world has become a single dot. Time, money or language, internet has impacted every part of the entertainment industry. With a video and internet one can be creative. Internet is the next platform for the entertainment industry. Fantastic things with tremendous potential are possible with internet.”

    “Think inside the box, micro-manage it and have a good time. That is what it takes to become a financial success,” was the mantra of Eisner.

  • Walt Disney brings ‘High School Musical’ to India

    Walt Disney brings ‘High School Musical’ to India

    MUMBAI: The Disney channel original movie High School Musical will premiere in India on the channel on 24 September at 11 am. Customized for India’s kids, tweens and families, the dialogue and hugely popular songs are re-recorded in Hindi with Indian instruments added for Bollywood flair.

    Walt Disney Television International (India) executive director programming & production Nachiket said, High School Musical symbolises all that Disney Channel means for kids in terms of following ones dreams and believing in oneself. Millions of kids across the globe have not just cherished the movie, they have adopted it into their lives. They have learnt the dance steps, sung the songs and relate their dreams and aspirations in those of the characters and the plot of the movie.”

    “We have made the music all the more relevant to our Hindi audiences across India by adding the artistry of music industry stars including Sunidhi Chauhan, Naresh Kamath, Shweta Pandit, Neuman Pinto, director John Stewart and programmer DJ G & John Stewart”, Nachiket added.

    Disney Channel will also provide an interactive experience for kids to express themselves through a nationwide music video dance contest, My School Rocks, with announcement of audition venues and dates to be detailed Sunday, September 24 on Disney Channel, states an official release.

    Walt Disney Television International (India) Marketing & Communications director Tushar Shah said, “Research has shown the universal appeal of song and dance among all Indian kids. My School Rocks will be a first of its kind event that will celebrate the talent of kids while providing them a nationwide platform for translating their dreams into reality. We are excited about the response this event has already garnered among advertisers and sponsors.”

    The initiative includes dance along interstitials, a viewer poll and ultimately, the televising of the winning school’s music video. My School Rocks will be offered to 500 schools in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Ahmedabad and Amritsar wherein principals and arts teachers will be presented with the High School Musical kit complete with the VCD, lyric sheets, instructional dance moves and more, the release adds.

    The events in each metro will be spread across two days, videotaped by Disney Channel and judged by celebrity choreographers who will designate individual city winners. Those winners will travel to Mumbai, receive professional dance training and have their school music videos open to a viewer poll. The winning school’s team will then star in a special My School Rocks music video to premiere Monday, December 25th on Disney Channel.

    Packed with laughter, memorable songs and spectacular dancing, High School Musical tells the story of two high school students – Troy, a popular basketball player and Gabriella, a shy, brainy newcomer – who share a secret passion for singing. When these two seemingly polar opposites decide to join forces and go out for the lead roles in the school musical, it wreaks havoc on East High’s rigid social order. In a desperate effort to maintain the status quo, the school’s various cliques conspire to separate the pair and keep them from performing. But by defying expectations and pursuing their dreams, Troy and Gabriella inspire other students to go public with some surprising hidden talents of their own.

    Since its premiere on January 20, the movie televised 14 times on Disney Channel US and was seen by over 40 million unduplicated total viewers, approximately 21 million households, 11.0 million Kids 6-11 and 11.6 million Tweens 9-14. The TV movie has delivered best-ever ratings on Disney Channels in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. It has also been licensed by free to air broadcasters including Australia’s Seven Network (where it was #1 in the timeslot) and in December, will air on the BBC in the UK. By the end of the year, it will reach over 100 countries.

    In the US, the Platinum-selling High School Musical soundtrack is the #1 album of the year, having sold more than 3.5 million units. It is also Platinum-selling in Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines and Mexico and Gold selling in Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, Argentina, Chile and Colombia, the release further informs.

  • Walt Disney’s Q3 net rises on TV, films and theme parks

    Walt Disney’s Q3 net rises on TV, films and theme parks

    MUMBAI: Media conglomerate Walt Disney reported a higher quarterly profit from strong performances by its television, films and theme parks businesses.

    The company’s fiscal third quarter net income rose to $1.13 billion, from $811 million last year. Its total revenue increased 12 per cent to $8.6 billion.

    “Disney’s strong third-quarter financial results demonstrate the company’s unique ability to leverage great content across our many businesses. In recent months, we have released such highly successful creative product as Cars, High School Musical and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, all of which are having a positive impact throughout our company, from merchandise sales to the internet to home video to our theme parks By investing in our pre-eminent core brands and adopting new platforms to enhance the entertainment experience, we intend to deliver our content to more people, more often, in more places, and thereby also deliver long-term growth to our shareholders,” said Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger.

    The revenues of the Media Networks division of the company for the quarter increased 10 per cent to $ 3.7 billion and segment operating income increased five per cent to $1.2 billion. The growth in segment operating income was due to improved performance at Cable Networks, partially offset by a decline at Broadcasting.

    The operating income at Cable Networks increased $130 million to $ 969 million for the quarter primarily due to growth at ESPN. The increase at ESPN was driven by higher affiliate revenues from contractual rate increases, increased recognition of previously deferred revenues from higher ratings. During the quarter, ESPN recognised $ 106 million of previously deferred programming commitment revenues compares to $ 42 million in the prior-year quarter driven by new programming commitment provisions in affiliate contracts. The revenue increases at ESPN were partially offset by higher programming expenses, due to the new Major League Baseball rights agreement and increased costs associated with ESPN branded mobile phone services.

    Disney’s operating incomes at Broadcasting decreased $ 70 million to $ 183 million due to higher programming expenses at the ABC Television Network, the increased number of costs of pilot productions and costs associated with the launch of Disney branded mobile phone service, partially offset by increased revenue due to higher advertising rates at the BC Television Network.

    Parks and Resorts revenues increased 11 per cent to $ 2.7 billion and segment operating income grew 26 per cent to $ 549 million due to increases at both its domestic resorts and at Disneyland Resort Paris.

    Studio Entertainment revenues increased 17 per cent to $ 1.7 billion and segment operating income increased $ 284 million to $ 240 million.

    On the other hand, Consumer Products revenues increased sic per cent to $ 445 million and segment operating income increased 69 per cent to $ 105 million.

  • Screwvala’s target for UTV: Rs 5 billion turnover by 2008

    Screwvala’s target for UTV: Rs 5 billion turnover by 2008

    MUMBAI: Hardly has the ink dried on the landmark deal he stitched with Walt Disney, and UTV’s founder-promoter Ronnie Screwvala is already looking to the future. The Indian media pioneer is bullish on turning his company into a Rs 5 billion company by 2008.

    This will mean a jump in turnover of Rs 3 billion, but Screwvala believes high growth will come, particularly from movies and animation. Besides, he is eyeing acquisitions in gaming and expects air time sales to zoom. Incremental growth from TV content business is also expected.

    On the movie front, Screwvala is close to announcing three international co-production movie deals. While global major Fox will be involved in one venture, Ronnie says the other two will also be with major studios. In an earlier project, UTV has partnered with Fox Searchlight Pictures and Entertainment Farm to produce the $9.6 million Mira Nair-directed film The Namesake.

    “They are three mainline movies and will have a big star cast. Unlike The Namesake where we have three co-producers, these will be two-way partnerships,” Screwvala says. When queried, he rules out the involvement of Disney in any of these projects.
    Screwvala aims to have an annual pipeline of 12 movies, one or two international co-productions and possibly an animation film. Already lined up are three movies with Rakeysh Mehra. “We are making Ashutosh Gawarikar’s next movie and three films with other directors. We have also tied up with Vishal Bhardwaj,” he says.

    The film business will be production-led. “We do not have an aggressive distribution agenda at the moment. We may acquire just one or two movies for distribution. But we will be distributing all the movies that we produce,” Screwvala says.

    Gaming is a new area UTV is planning to enter as an extension of its businesses in animation, post production and special effects. “We are eyeing acquisitions of domestic and overseas gaming companies. There is a model for international companies to look at India as an outsourcing model and an Indian story for going overseas. We are spending a lot of time evaluating the gaming business,” he says.

    UTV has made investments in setting up the animation infrastructure and is having a pipeline across the value chain. “We have a good order book in outsourcing and are involved in originating content as well,” says Screwvala.

    The big script with Disney will also begin with both companies in process of identifying areas where they can work together. “We are looking at animation, movies, TV and gaming. On the movie front, we are exploring possibilities of co-producing with them for Hindi films as well as going mainline with English. Home videos is another area we are looking at to expand our Indian movies overseas through their strong retail network,” says Screwvala.

    UTV will be cash rich by Rs 2.36 billion between the sale of Hungama, fresh equity to UTV and Screwvala’s warrants. “We can leverage the company with a 1:1 debt-equity ratio and have a Rs 5 billion war chest. In media, that offers lots of opportunities,” Screwvala says, clearly relishing the challenges ahead.

  • TV18, Balaji scrips shine on strong Q1 results

    TV18, Balaji scrips shine on strong Q1 results

    MUMBAI: This is a result investors may have been waiting for. Television Eighteen put up a robust first quarter performance, pulling the scrip up by Rs 13 to close today in the BSE at Rs 605 in a market that slipped 61 points after four days of continuous rise.

    On the television front, TV18 has doubled its revenues over the year-ago period while net profit has jumped 65 per cent to Rs 138.21 million. The company now has four channels – two in the business space and two general news channels.

    The Group’s internet business is also poised for a scale up, having crossed $1 million (Rs 46.75 million) in the quarter. TV18 is eyeing acquisitions and will soon re-launch jobstreet.com and yatra.com. The company has already announced plans to hive off the internet business which will make it attractive for strategic investors.

    “The scrip could lift up further, based on these results. The valuation of the internet business will also be interesting,” a market analyst says.

    Balaji Telefilms, which announced its first quarter results yesterday, is the other media scrip which climbed 4.34 per cent to close the day at Rs 109.45 in the BSE. Analysts say this was on the back of a 39 per cent jump in the TV content producer’s net profit to close the quarter at Rs 173.77 million.

    The market is yet to be enthused by UTV’s deal with Walt Disney Company, shedding marginally in the BSE to close 1.8 per cent down at Rs 168.65. The global media major had bought out Hungama TV and taken a 14.9 per cent stake in UTV for a total consideration of $44.5 million (approximately Rs 2 billion).

    “The scrip will gain value once Disney chalks out a joint plan with UTV. It is not clear yet where Disney wants to take UTV forward,” says a market analyst.

    Among the other media stocks to fall are Zee Telefilms (2.24 per cent to Rs 257.20) and NDTV (from Rs 156.2 to Rs 155.30). TV Today almost stayed flat to close at Rs 76.60.