After years of financial losses and sweeping reforms, Disney’s streaming business has finally turned a profit. Under CEO Bob Iger’s leadership, the company’s direct-to-consumer segment — which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ — has achieved profitability for two consecutive quarters, signaling a pivotal moment for the entertainment giant. In the fiscal fourth quarter, Disney’s streaming operations reported an operating income of $321 million, a significant improvement from the $387 million loss recorded in the same period last year. For the [...]

With Bob Iger’s tenure at Disney slated to end in 2026, the company has launched a rigorous search for its next CEO under the leadership of incoming Chairman James Gorman. Known for his seamless succession planning at Morgan Stanley, Gorman has a clear mandate: prevent another leadership debacle like Bob Chapek’s brief and turbulent tenure. As Gorman takes charge, Disney explores six potential strategies to find Iger’s successor. More Time for Internal Candidates: 5-1 Odds The 2026 target for Iger’s [...]

After 44 years in Santa Monica, the American Film Market (AFM) has moved to Las Vegas, marking a new era for the largest U.S. market dedicated to international cinema. The energy of Las Vegas has infused fresh vitality into the event, which continues to serve as a premier platform for global deal-making and industry networking. This year’s AFM was particularly significant for Italy, with a strong delegation led by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), Cinecittà, and the Directorate General for [...]

With too many big films releasing at the same time, studios risk losing audiences and profits. After a sluggish fall movie season marked by fewer releases, Hollywood is gearing up for a jam-packed holiday schedule. Blockbusters like Wicked, Gladiator 2, and Moana 2 are set to dominate theaters starting Thanksgiving weekend. But this overcrowding raises questions about studios’ scheduling strategies and their impact on box office performance. The year has been a rollercoaster for theaters. Hits like Deadpool & Wolverine, [...]

Without fanfare or public demands, ValueAct Capital has made a bold move into Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. In recent weeks, the San Francisco-based investment firm has quietly amassed a $1-billion stake, now one of its largest holdings alongside Salesforce. ValueAct is no stranger to high-profile investments in technology companies. It previously secured a board seat at Microsoft in 2013 and engaged in dialogue with Disney during its activist showdown with Nelson Peltz’s Trian Partners. Now, [...]

Friendship often plays a quiet second fiddle to romance in movies, but this awards season, it’s stepping into the spotlight. Projects like Netflix’s Will & Harper and Nickel Boys, alongside Challengers, A Real Pain, and Memoir of a Snail, bring platonic bonds into sharp focus, proving they’re just as compelling — and as transformative — as romantic ones. Take Will & Harper, for instance. This Netflix documentary chronicles Will Ferrell’s cross-country journey with Harper Steele as she navigates her new [...]