☀️The DISNEY Plan: Less TV/Movie Spend, More Cash Flow!
Strike's over, back to work! / SIRIUSXM sets new DtoC plan / WME Q3 loss not as bad as forecast
Mornin! This is Sean McNulty (connect with me on LinkedIn here if ya like), and here’s the Hollywood + Media news to know on THURSDAY Nov. 9, 2023.
Where uh, strike’s over. Never underestimate the power of a #SuperWednesday (although please never ever hold your earnings calls on the same day again DISNEY, WBD and ENDEAVOR mmmkay?).
Great, what a relief. So, uh… now what are we gonna talk about? 😬 Hmm… um, your parents good? Oh right! Hey when is Blue Bloods coming back?
Considering writers have been at it already for about 5 weeks… and figure shooting could be up and running at well-oiled network TV series by maybe early December (depending how THANKSGIVING week shakes out), Deadline’s estimation of a broadcast TV return sometime mid Feb/early March sounds about right.
That’s of course about 4 weeks after the Broadcast networks have already lost their most potent promotional tool #NFL - except CBS which has the Super Bowl (and the most-watched network to promote). So if you’re on a CBS show - clear your weekend of Feb. 11 for a flight to Vegas.
DISNEY officially rolling HULU into DIS+ will also coincide here in March (more on that below), and the OSCARS are March 12 on ABC.
As for volume - it sounds like most shows are taking a 10 to 13 episode approach to the rest of the season.
AND: I’d think the 2024 movie release slate will see a lot of activity over the next week - SONY already moved Venom 3 to Nov. 8, 2024 (previous date was July 14).
THUS: Studio earnings calls will still be talking about meaningful strike effects on earnings calls until… July #yikes, as they won’t have a full return to their core Advertising businesses for another two quarters. Yikes. Will be a helluva Scatter ad market in Q2 ‘24 though.
Oh - somebody tell Chalamet he can say “Wonka” on Saturday night’s SNL.
ALSO: U.S.-paying SPOTIFY subs now have access to 200k audiobooks, and get 15 hours of listening included each month (with 10-hour add-ons avail for a fee).
IN TODAY’S EDITION:
DISNEY sees linear TV ad 💰 and #cordcutting losses like everyone else… but is still quite profitable. A dive into the numbers, and comps against NETFLIX and other studios and much more, and what lies ahead for 2024.
SIRIUSXM sets big DtoC app streaming plan, plus a
WME strike effects not as bad as anticipated… but still a sizable hit to profitability.
A24 sets new horror project, FOX sets new viewership high for NFL this season (sorry Taylor) and more.
THE WAKEUP BOX OFFICE POLL
The Marvels latest tracking seems to be $60 Mil to $65 Mil… although there are some that think the number will begin with a 5. Hey um, any chance we can get Brie on Kimmel tonight? Sam Jackson flying out to an owner’s box in Chicago at the PANTHERS / BEARS game tonight may be a bit more of a stretch.
Although at least the 1hr 40min running time should help with the # of showings.
📺 THE SILVER TV 🎥
