Is Disney+ Overshadowing Galaxy’s Edge?

Is Disney+ Overshadowing Galaxy’s Edge?

There were two interesting pieces of news for Disney (DIS) this week. The first was that Disney is supposedly in talks with AT&T (T) to buy out the latter’s 10% stake in Hulu. Disney currently owns 30% of Hulu, and once the Fox acquisition goes through, will own another 30%, giving them 60% total. Comcast (CMCSA) owns the remaining 30% of Hulu. Getting another 10% of Hulu when they are already on track to own a majority might not seem like a huge deal, but I believe it shows that Disney is serious about building up Hulu as a contender in the streaming video wars. With the announcement of Disney+ and ESPN+, there was some question as to what would become of Hulu under Disney’s control. If these rumors are true and Disney is seeking out more ownership, it should put to rest any idea that Disney is willing to let Hulu wither on the vine and die.

Imagine this caption is the Fry “Shut up and take my money” meme

However, I think the more interesting news is the first look that we’re getting today on the new Galaxy’s Edge expansion to their parks coming later in the year. It sounds like the reaction so far has been pretty positive.

“Magnificent” isn’t strong enough. “Awe-inspiring” doesn’t come close. It’s just…perfect.

We’ve Been to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Life Will Never Be the Same by Germain Lussier

It got me thinking about how, with all of this talk about Disney pulling their shows and movies from Netflix (NFLX) and starting their own streaming services, maybe we’re overlooking another big story. When people think of Disney, they probably think of the gobs of money that movies like Frozen and The Incredibles and Star Wars and Avengers make. While that’s true, it’s not the biggest money maker for the company. In 2018, despite the banner year which saw huge box office success for movies like Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War and The Incredibles 2, the Studio Entertainment division of Disney still had less than half the revenue of the Parks and Resorts segment.

Yes, the Media Networks segment (which includes things like ESPN and ABC) is still the big story, both in terms of the revenue/income generated and the challenges that segment is facing due to cord cutting. Yes, a lot is riding on these new streaming services to eventually replace the revenue lost there. However, I wonder if this seemingly singular focus on Disney+ and EPSN+ and the future of Hulu is distracting from the big opportunity Disney is working on seizing in their also sizable Parks and Resorts segment.

My family is planning a trip to Disney World this year (the first for my daughters) and planning the trip has really driven home just how popular the Disney parks are and how much pricing power they have. Throw Star Wars into the mix, along with all of the nostalgia and crazed fandom that adults have for the franchise, and I really like the chances for this already huge revenue generator to keep on growing, regardless of how the streaming services do.

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