Disney

• Streaming executives from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery highlighted the importance of Asian IP, local storytelling, and fan communities for global growth during the APOS 2026 conference in Bali. • Disney is leveraging strategic partnerships to expand, specifically citing its collaboration with Hulu Japan and the distribution of ESPN via Disney+ in Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan. • Warner Bros. Discovery executive James Gibbons emphasized that established franchises like "Harry Potter" drive significant value by tapping into powerful fan bases, particularly in China and Japan.

Exclusive: Analysis shows resort has yet to recoup Disney’s investment despite record revenue and 16m annual visitorsDisney has still not recouped $4.2bn of its investment in Disneyland Paris after more than 30 years, even though the resort is now its best-performing international outpost, according to an analysis of recent filings.The sprawling theme park complex swung open its ornate iron gates in 1992 and now attracts about 16 million visitors every year. It is wholly owned by Disney and is home to two theme parks – the fairytale-inspired Disneyland and Disney Adventure World, which launched its largest-ever expansion in late March. The lavish land, themed to the hit animated movie Frozen, is part of a $2.5bn (€2bn) investment by Disney, and its new chief executive, Josh D’Amaro, was on hand for the opening alongside Emmanuel Macron. Continue reading...

Two-time Grammy winner was best known for songs from Beauty and the Beast and AladdinPeabo Bryson, the R&B singer best known as the voice behind the Oscar-winning Disney film duets Beauty and the Beast with Regina Belle, and A Whole New World with Celine Dion from Aladdin, has died. He was 75.His family said in a statement that Bryson, who won two Grammy awards, died Tuesday, days after having a stroke. Continue reading...

Film starring Pedro Pascal next to ‘Baby Yoda’ took $165m globally on opening weekend, failing to surpass the opening of 2018 flop SoloThe Mandalorian and Grogu may have blasted into first place at the box office – but its launch was far, far away from impressive, having the lowest opening weekend for a Star Wars film since Disney took over the franchise.The film, which stars Pedro Pascal as the titular helmeted warrior who travels the galaxy with a tiny companion better known as “Baby Yoda”, made $102m at the domestic box office (North America and Canada) over the US’s four-day Memorial day weekend, contributing to a total $165m global box office. Continue reading...

• Disney revealed D23 Asia: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will debut in Singapore in 2027, following the announcement of Disney Cruise Line's regional launch. • The three-day convention will feature Hollywood stars, storytellers, live showcases, behind-the-scenes presentations, performances, interactive experiences, and exclusive merchandise. • No specific dates, locations, or ticket information have been released yet; updates will come via the Singapore Tourism Board on Instagram.

• The FCC announced it will review eight broadcasting licenses owned or managed by Disney due to the company's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. • The move came one day after President Trump called for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel over a controversial joke likening First Lady Melania Trump to an 'expectant widow.' • Kimmel faces backlash amid debates on whether his late-night monologue could incite political violence following recent assassination attempt charges.

Walt Disney Company says technology at California theme park will prevent fraud and streamline re-entryDisneyland, the beloved California adventure park, has outfitted some entrance lanes with facial recognition technology, a move its parent company says will prevent fraud and streamline re-entry.At certain entrance lanes, a camera will capture images of visitors, which can be converted via biometric technology into unique numerical values, according to the Walt Disney Company’s website. Continue reading...

• Disney+ revealed "Marvel: Secret Wars," a six-part miniseries event bringing together characters from the MCU, Sony's Spider-Man Universe, and Fox's X-Men franchise in an unprecedented crossover. • Production is set to begin in summer 2026, with Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield all confirmed to return as versions of Spider-Man within the multiverse storyline. • The series will premiere in early 2027 and serve as a major reset point for Marvel's cinematic universe, introducing the Fantastic Four and Professor X to the MCU proper.

• Disney+ launched the full six-episode 'Marvel's Ironheart' series on April 16, starring Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, pulling 12 million views in premiere day. • The show explores post-Wakanda tech genius clashes with Sacha Baron Cohen's villain, earning 95% Rotten Tomatoes from 200 reviews. • Analysts project it boosts MCU Phase 6 hype, with Disney stock up 2% amid streaming subscriber gains to 155 million.

• 'Star Wars: Rebel Dawn' launched on Disney+ April 9, drawing 45 million views in first day, surpassing 'Ahsoka' debut. • Six-episode arc follows Mon Mothma's rebellion origins, starring Diego Luna and new cast member Amandla Stenberg. • $180 million production boosts Disney+ to 152 million subscribers amid box office slumps.

• New Star Wars series 'Echoes of Mandalore' launched on Disney+ April 5, starring Pedro Pascal and Katee Sackhoff, drawing 25 million global views in premiere day. • Five-episode season explores Mandalorian civil war post-'The Mandalorian' Season 3, with $150 million budget evident in practical effects. • Boosts Disney+ subscribers by 2% overnight, reinforcing franchise's streaming dominance amid cord-cutting trends.

• OpenAI announced on March 25, 2026, it is discontinuing support for its Sora video generation model and ending its collaboration with Disney. • The move follows challenges in scaling the technology amid competition and resource constraints in AI media tools. • This reflects broader pressures on AI firms to prioritize core models over experimental features, impacting Hollywood's generative AI adoption.