The Spirited Sixth Sense ...

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

glad to know i was missed!

life picked up like crazy. but also, i've been pretty turned off lately. as you know from my postings, lack of show and MM+ was part of it. i feel like the price hikes, the TIW cutbacks, and some experiences at my last visit ranging from disappointing to unacceptable really have hindered me in checking in. i missed you all though! especially this thread.
.

Of course you've been missed!



Unrelated- someone on the local radio station just said "If you're going to Walt Disney World, skip the parks and go to Typhoon Lagoon." and is now comparing it to our local Sandcastle (there is no comparison, Sandcastle is a cesspool)

 

[lebeau]

While they won't be a monopoly, it's enough control to dictate the survival of a network. If Comcast feels Disney is charging them too much, they will control enough subs to force Disney to the negotiating table. TW or Viacom can offer alternative programming at the price Comcast wants to pay. And you can forget about any planned Disney network carriage rate increases.

I'm curious to know what background you have in such things. You seem to have very strong opinions that are not shared by any industry experts I have read and are not backed up by anything beyond wild speculation and links to other people's (out-dated) speculation.

 

[maxairmike]

I think that is probably the case, the rest of ESPN sports is just not that compelling, die-hard fans would disagree but the casual sports fan probably does not watch much of the other content.

In the world of college football (my main sports focus) the reverse is actually the main sentiment. A large number of die-hard college football fans hate what ESPN in particular has done to the dynamics of the sport and how their distinctly un-journalistic, tabloid, TMZ style reporting has clouded things. Things like FS1 and NBCSN have been hopeful points of light for many, but have yet to pan out, mainly due to the buying power and established momentum of ESPN. Some other sports fans are starting to get annoyed by ESPN as well (see the apparent need for ESPN to report whenever LeBron needs to tie his shoe becoming a negative point against the network for many NBA fans), and the "embrace debate" idiocy is creeping into and ruining even live sports broadcasts.

 

[flynnibus]

Same reason Disney marathons are so ridiculously successful (and, superior business model aside, why DCL was able to break into and dominate the cruise industry in just a few years)--people feel "safe" with Disney. They'll do things with Disney, such as sample new foods, they wouldn't think of doing elsewhere.

For much of the same reason 24hr events were popular... being able to do what normally you aren't allowed to do. It also brings together two things many people like. But the 'soft' side of Disney also helps in that by being cuddly it makes the races more accessible to people who might not have considered such events prior.

And with Disney's crazy fees... they are all the more happy to welcome these newbies to walk their races.

 

[PeterAlt]

I'm curious to know what background you have in such things. You seem to have very strong opinions that are not shared by any industry experts I have read and are not backed up by anything beyond wild speculation and links to other people's (out-dated) speculation.

I've been following the industry since I was a kid, believe it or not, since the mid-80's. In college, I majored in communications. One of my favorite courses was the history of radio and television. I've been reading the industry news daily since.

EDIT - One thing you need to know is that Brian Roberts is no dope. He knows exactly what he's doing. He's no hired mercenary. He's in it to build an empire for his family. Iger is just a hired hand who's in it to impress his buddies on Wall Street.

 

[flynnibus]

If that's a distinction you feel is worth making, sure. My point is just that the quote the OP was referencing actually happened. Post PatF, there was quite a bit of back-peddling from the genre that included renaming Tangled (and Frozen for that matter) and shifting the focus of New Fantasyland. To me, the original poster was more right than he was wrong.

Quote happened yes - message.. no. See the Ed C follow up I added to the post. Shift in focus? Certainly.. the broadening of NFL, DisneyXD, Marvel, etc all show the shift in the company trying to broaden their appeal after pigeon-holeing too much. But such a shift does not mean they left that market.

What we have here IMO is a misapplication of the facts... or simply an lazy exaggeration.

 

[lebeau]

I've been following the industry since I was a kid, believe it or not, since the mid-80's. In college, I majored in communications. One of my favorite courses was the history of radio and television. I've been reading the industry news daily since.

EDIT - One thing you need to know is that Brian Roberts is no dope. He knows exactly what he's doing. He's no hired mercenary. He's in it to build an empire for his family. Iger is just a hired hand who's in it to impress his buddies on Wall Street.

Then what's up with the wild speculation? If you have been following the industry for decades, you have to know how far out in left field you are with this.

 

[wm49rs]

Then what's up with the wild speculation? If you have been following the industry for decades, you have to know how far out in left field you are with this.

Some people don't (self-admittingly) like facts....

 

[lebeau]

Quote happened yes - message.. no. See the Ed C follow up I added to the post. Shift in focus? Certainly.. the broadening of NFL, DisneyXD, Marvel, etc all show the shift in the company trying to broaden their appeal after pigeon-holeing too much. But such a shift does not mean they left that market.

What we have here IMO is a misapplication of the facts... or simply an lazy exaggeration.

 

[ford91exploder]

I've been following the industry since I was a kid, believe it or not, since the mid-80's. In college, I majored in communications. One of my favorite courses was the history of radio and television. I've been reading the industry news daily since.

EDIT - One thing you need to know is that Brian Roberts is no dope. He knows exactly what he's doing. He's no hired mercenary. He's in it to build an empire for his family. Iger is just a hired hand who's in it to impress his buddies on Wall Street.

Interesting so you come to your conclusions the same way I do via synthesis of available information.

 

[twebber55]

No they can't. For a whole host of reasons, no.

exactly
especially ESPN

 

[PhotoDave219]

In the world of college football (my main sports focus) the reverse is actually the main sentiment. A large number of die-hard college football fans hate what ESPN in particular has done to the dynamics of the sport and how their distinctly un-journalistic, tabloid, TMZ style reporting has clouded things. Things like FS1 and NBCSN have been hopeful points of light for many, but have yet to pan out, mainly due to the buying power and established momentum of ESPN. Some other sports fans are starting to get annoyed by ESPN as well (see the apparent need for ESPN to report whenever LeBron needs to tie his shoe becoming a negative point against the network for many NBA fans), and the "embrace debate" idiocy is creeping into and ruining even live sports broadcasts.

I've definitely noticed that in general when it comes to ESPN. I've gotten caught in the backlash from athletes before… It's not fun.

 

[PeterAlt]

Then what's up with the wild speculation? If you have been following the industry for decades, you have to know how far out in left field you are with this.

Just the opposite.... Never thought Comcast would have the audacity to try to buy TWC.

 

[Cesar R M]

the problem of purchasing too many things at same time is..
they tend to "forget" and let some of the divisions rot.. I really hope Disney animation and the parks do not get this treatment in the future.

 

[danv3]

Don't even know if I should post this. It won't likely surprise anyone. But since I just got a note from an animated fellow ... here goes: Iger wants a Frozen 2 ASAP.

I wish they'd focus on the Broadway musical version of Frozen. I'm leery of a "forced" sequel so soon after the original. Seems almost certain to disappoint by comparison.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I wish they'd focus on the Broadway musical version of Frozen. I'm leery of a "forced" sequel so soon after the original. Seems almost certain to disappoint by comparison.

But have you seen how well sequels tend to perform? Screw quality.

 

[ford91exploder]

That would be a FAR better idea than a sequel, Plus it would allow a different audience to enjoy Frozen one who might not GO to a 'Disney' movie but would go to a well produced show ie Lion King and Mary Poppins on Broadway.

 

[MichWolv]

Hi @WDW1974 ! My name is Erica, or as you may know me already... @ericarose on twitter. I don't know if I should be flattered or alarmed that you consider me a part of the WDW Lifestyler crowd. After all, we are neighbors in South Florida - perhaps we should meet for lunch one day, but maybe you are afraid I might throw something at you?

I originally wanted to reply to the classy @Captain Chaos in regards to his "straight jacket" post, but I see he has since deleted it. Thank you both so much for taking one of my tweets out of context and claiming that I have a mental illness. Since you seem to be a fan of my tweets @WDW1974 , I'm sure you might know a *little* about me and that sarcasm runs rampant on my twitter timeline, as well as personal tweets with friends about topics that have nothing to do with The Vacation Kingdom of the World.

Not sure if you recognize me, but I have been a member of the WDWMagic Forums since 2002 and I am still quite active on here. Your threads are actually my lunchtime enjoyment, since I can't watch General Hospital at the office.

Thanks again for mocking me on a discussion forum which I've considered a "safe place" since I was in middle school; little did you know that some of the people you make fun of on twitter are the same people who also love to catch up on Disney news here. And if you are so infatuated with my thoughts on twitter, perhaps we should get coffee one day in Fort Lauderdale? I'll leave my straight jacket at home.

All my best,
@ericarose

Although I already "liked" this, I didn't think that was sufficient recognition of an excellent post. Well done, Erica.

 

[FrankLapidus]

Don't even know if I should post this. It won't likely surprise anyone. But since I just got a note from an animated fellow ... here goes: Iger wants a Frozen 2 ASAP.

Not surprising but non-creative executives interjecting themselves into the creative decision-making process is never a good idea. WDAS has a pretty exciting and diverse slate of films coming up in Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Giants and Moana, Lasseter and Catmull are doing a good job at the studio and really don't need Iger interfering.

On a not-entirely unrelated note, did you ever hear anything about a potential sequel to Wreck-It Ralph? I know Rich Moore said publicly that one could happen and spoke about wanting to have Super Mario feature, I'm jut curious as to whether there was ever actually anything to the rumour.

 

[PeterAlt]

Now that the storm here has pretty much passed, back to subject...

I've known for quite awhile now that Iger has been in secret merger talks with an unnamed company. Apparently, this would be his biggest merger yet and would be announced by or on 2015.

Up until now, my best guess was that maybe it's Hasbro. But, the Comcast merger with TWC has me thinking otherwise. Hasbro is too small and not Disney's line of business. As crazy as it sounds, I think TW is good possibility now. I can't think of anything other that is big, has key brand names, and is in line with Disney's core businesses.

If anyone else could think of what else it could be that fits the above qualifiers, I'll lay off the TW poison.

It can't be Viacom-Paramount because they own CBS and half of the CW, so the Feds won't let that one.

It's going to have to be something that would balance things after Comcast-TWC closes...