1.Introduction
Disney, a cultural powerhouse that has captured people's hearts for generations, has a lengthy history in the entertainment sector, demonstrating the enduring power of creativity, narrative, and invention. Disney has built enduring ties with its patrons by employing strategies like storytelling to draw in visitors of all ages from all over the world. Disney's content library includes trademarks as well as a variety of priceless artworks, well-known people, and successful companies. Disney has an extensive collection of intellectual property that encompasses a multitude of storytelling opportunities, ranging from the well-known Sleeping Beauty and Snow-White fairy tales to the Marvel film universe. Disney+, the company's first venture into the streaming media space, was established by capitalizing on the enduring popularity of these important stories, which also made people feel happy and nostalgic. Disney has also adopted a systematic and cautious approach to expansion and diversity. By acquiring companies such as Pixar, Lucas Pictures, and 21st Century Fox, Disney has grown into a new field and audience.With these acquisitions, Disney has expanded its content collection and acquired access to an already established fan base with tremendous development potential. Disney's brand, content variety, cultural effect and shifts, and commitment to technological innovation are all important aspects in the company's success. Disney has continuously pushed the limits of what is possible in the entertainment industry, from the ground-breaking animation techniques of the past to the state-of-the-art digital innovations of today. Its theme parks, which use immersive experiences and augmented reality attractions to take guests to fantasy realms, are prime examples of this dedication. Disney has a rich history, but there are also significant problems in addition to its assets. Significant risks include the rise of rival streaming services, changes in customer behavior, and the escalating rivalry in the content development market, particularly in the streaming arena. Disney faces significant competition in gaining customers and exclusive content rights as it expands its streaming business with Disney+. Throughout this discourse, we will dissect Disney's unique strengths, delve into the competitive challenges it faces, and outline strategies that will enable it to continue its journey of dominance in this ever-evolving entertainment landscape over the next decade.
2.Disney's Dominance: Brand Power, Rich Content, and Innovation
The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney, is a global entertainment conglomerate with a storied history dating back to its founding in 1923. Operating across various domains, including media networks, theme parks, experiences and products, studio entertainment, and direct-to-consumer and international ventures, Disney has established itself as a formidable force in the entertainment industry. This diversified approach has firmly established Disney as a powerhouse within the entertainment industry, allowing it to excel across numerous domains.
Central to Disney's enduring success is its iconic and influential brand, renowned worldwide. Its brand permeates various sectors, including film, television, theme parks, and consumer products, and it has captivated audiences of all ages [1]. This significant brand influence not only draws a global audience but also forms the basis for lucrative partnerships, providing Disney with a solid foundation for its operations. One of Disney's most significant assets is its extensive and diverse content library [2]. This treasury of content encompasses classic animated films, high-profile cinematic productions, popular franchises like Marvel and Star Wars, and other beloved properties. Disney's streaming service, Disney+, has harnessed this vast content library to great advantage. Moreover, Disney continues to expand its content offerings through acquisitions and mergers with other entertainment companies, perpetually enhancing its competitive edge. This content repository serves not only Disney's streaming services but also feeds content to various media platforms, creating a consistent and stable source of revenue [3]. This multifaceted approach ensures a consistent source of revenue, bolstering the company's financial stability. It is evident that Disney's commitment to maintaining a rich content library pays dividends, securing its dominant position in the industry. In line with Disney's dynamic and forward-thinking approach, the company has ventured into the realm of Disney Interactive, leveraging mobile, social, and console gaming, online virtual worlds, and high-ranking web destinations [3]. This diversification further underscores Disney's global influence and relevance in today's entertainment landscape. The diversity and breadth of Disney's business investments ensure that it generates income from various segments, offering resilience in fluctuating markets. Disney's relentless commitment to technological innovation bolsters its competitive edge and ensures its enduring status as an industry leader.
In essence, Disney's supremacy within the entertainment industry is a testament to its influential brand, expansive content library, diversified investments, and unwavering pursuit of technological advancement. These key strengths underscore Disney's current prominence and lay the foundation for its continued leadership over the years to come.
3.Disney in the Age of Streaming: Challenges and Opportunities
With the emergence of new entertainment companies such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, and other streaming platforms, Disney faces mounting pressure from competitors across diverse domains.
Havard highlights the seismic shift that occurred when Netflix, a pioneer in the streaming space, decided to venture into original content production back in 2013 [2]. This move marked the beginning of a new era, compelling streaming services to invest heavily in creating their original content to both attract and retain consumers. In addition to producing high-quality content, these companies have also adopted unique business models that challenge the traditional television and film industry's long-standing status quo. Disney responded to this changing landscape by introducing its streaming service, Disney+. While this move was strategic, it also intensified the competition with other streaming platforms, further fueling the ongoing battle in the streaming space. This surge in streaming has not only disrupted traditional media but has also led to intensified competition among these services, resulting in price wars and constant innovation in content creation [4]. The heart of the industry has shifted towards capturing subscription-based users, compelling companies to continuously invest in producing exclusive and captivating content. However, this shift presents financial and resource challenges for major players like Disney. Meeting the demands for complete content production while maintaining financial stability has become a significant challenge. Moreover, the evolution of audience behavior is another critical factor that Disney needs to address. People increasingly opt to consume content in the comfort of their homes rather than visiting cinemas or subscribing to cable TV. The motivations behind this shift include the ability to catch up on content, relax, gain a sense of accomplishment, experience cultural inclusivity, and enhance the overall viewing experience. The portability and user-friendly interfaces of streaming technology have profoundly impacted binge-watching habits [5].
In conclusion, Disney's challenges are multifaceted, primarily stemming from the rise of formidable competitors, the ever-intensifying streaming competition, and audiences' evolving preferences and behaviors. Adapting and effectively addressing these changes is crucial for Disney's continued success and prominence in the entertainment industry.
4.Streaming Strategies: Disney's Path to Sustaining Industry Leadership
Disney+ has been a global success, and the re-platform has generated significant subscription revenue and millions of users. According to Dittmann [6], subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services have changed how entertainment content is consumed and Disney+ has successfully entered this competitive industry as a new SVOD provider. Disney can become even more competitive by forming alliances and releasing more unique material. Disney has enormous room to grow globally, particularly in developing nations. Disney can expand in other areas by providing an ad-supported free tier and developing the Disney+ concept to appeal to a larger audience, claim Adamou and Petridis [7]. Disney leverages its assets to offer localized experiences and content catering to the demands of many regional audiences, broadening its global reach. Conversely, Disney has consistently led the way in technical innovation and has the potential to grow in artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality. With its unparalleled narrative and cutting-edge technologies, The Walt Disney Company has grown to become one of the most varied entertainment businesses, educating and inspiring people all over the world [8]. Disney can better adapt its content and services by gaining insights into the interests and behaviors of its audience through the use of big data and artificial intelligence. For example, recommendation systems based on content and collaborative filtering and the use of Netflix's hybrid recommendation technology, Bigdata Analytics is used in its recommendation system to improve the customer experience, and big data analytics can be used with the help of predicting the viewing habits of the subscribers, which will help to increase subscriber satisfaction, reduce churn, and market its offerings more efficiently [9]. In conclusion, Disney has a promising future with regards to the development of Disney+, global expansion, technical innovation, and data-driven business plans. It can continue to grow and hold a dominant position in the entertainment sector.
5.Disney's Content Treasury: From Classics to Blockbusters
Disney has a significant cultural influence that goes beyond its financial success and manifests in a number of important ways. Disney's stories, characters, and ideas have influenced every aspect of world culture. Tonn [10] claims that thousands of kids know Disney characters, and in certain cases, these movies have had an equal cultural impact as more established educational institutions like families, schools, and religious institutions. Disney movies could therefore influence how youngsters develop culturally. Disney characters represent moral principles such as bravery, friendship, family ties, and pursuing one's aspirations that go beyond simple entertainment.
Disney has influenced culture in a number of areas, including as music, theme parks, and motion pictures and television. Disney has a wide range of interests, including magazines, sports teams, amusement parks, insurance businesses, book publishing, television and cable channels, and multimedia development. Disney claims to be the owner of the ABC Prime Time News Network, five film studios, and three music studios [11]. Disney movies and animated television shows continue to be incredibly popular because of their capacity to arouse strong moral lessons and strong feelings. For this reason, many families have made watching them a yearly ritual. Vizcaíno-Verdú et al. [12] emphasize the fundamental role of music in society and Disney's prowess in crafting a wide range of musical narratives that captivate theme park visitors, enriching their experiences. Disney recognizes that the incorporation of music and sound effects profoundly influences how audiences perceive visuals. The enduring legacy of Disney's music is evident in the continued performances of many of its iconic songs. Disney's evolving princess characters, while occasionally criticized, reflect ongoing appeal. Rutherford and Baker [13] note Disney's progressive portrayals, like Merida in 2012's "Brave." However, the persistence of the "perfect body" as a crucial ideal remains a fantasy. Disney's princesses adapt within historical limits. This cultural influence uniquely positions Disney to shape the entertainment industry in the coming decade, fostering both business success and industry leadership opportunities.
6.Conclusion
Disney faces obstacles that call for strategic changes in order to maintain its position as the industry leader, despite its long history and great success. Among these, substance is crucial. In order to save money on licensing and keep creative control, Disney should put more money into streaming services, particularly Disney+, and produce original content internally. Untapped international markets provide significant growth prospects, especially for emerging nations. It is critical to adapt material for local audiences in order to deliver experiences that are culturally relevant. Disney has to change its stories and characters to fit modern ideals, eschewing prejudice and encouraging diversity. Concerns about body image are in line with evolving cultural standards. Disney's commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable business practices aligns with changing consumer values and enhances its reputation as a conscientious global organization. Disney can continue to lead the business by navigating obstacles with these techniques. In the upcoming ten years, Disney's distinct advantages, inventiveness, and sizable content collection, along with its flexibility, guarantee long-term prosperity and market leadership.
In summary, Disney's unique advantages in the media and entertainment industry, such as a powerful brand, diverse content, a varied portfolio, and ongoing innovation, suggest a promising future dominance. However, it must address competitive challenges from emerging rivals and shifting audience behaviors. To maintain leadership, Disney should expand content creation with original series and films, focus on international growth tailored to local preferences, embrace emerging tech like AR and VR, and maximize synergy between business segments for cross-promotion opportunities. With these strategies, Disney can sustain its industry leadership, offering audiences a richer, diverse entertainment experience in the next decade.
References
[1]. Huang, J., Li, J., & Li, Y. (2022). Strategic Analysis of Disney Branding Management-a SWOT situational analysis and recommendations. https://www.clausiuspress.com/conferences/LNEMSS/WTED%202022/Y0912.pdf
[2]. Havard, C. (2022). Disney, Netflix, and Amazon Oh My! An Analysis of Streaming Brand Competition and the Impact on the Future of Consumer Entertainment. Findings in Sport, Hospitality, Entertainment, and Event Management, 1(1). https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/finsheem/vol1/iss1/7/
[3]. Robbins, M. (2014). Trace: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange The Most Powerful Mouse in the World : The Globalization of the Disney Brand Part of the Advertising and Promotion Management Commons, Hospitality Administration and Management Commons, International Business Commons, Marketing Commons, Sales and Merchandising Commons, and the Tourism and Travel Commons. https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2658&context=utk_chanhonoproj
[4]. Johnson, M. (2021). Hollywood Survival Strategies in the post-COVID 19 Era. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-021-00776-z
[5]. Steiner, E., & Xu, K. (2018). Binge-watching motivates change. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 26(1), 135485651775036. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856517750365
[6]. Dittmann, F. (2022). The successful market entry of Disney+: strategic positioning in the subscription video on demand sector. Run.unl.pt. https://run.unl.pt/handle/10362/138714
[7]. Adamou, C., & Petridis, S. (2023). Television by Stream: Essays on Marketing, Content and Audience Worldwide. In Google Books. McFarland. https://books.google.com.sg/books?hl=en&lr=&id=SB_BEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA111&dq=Disney+Opportunities+for+International+Expansion&ots=CFEDdyUjhd&sig=xbyoZjl-pkBXoX5f1vTUY3CcEfI&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Disney%20Opportunities%20for%20International%20Expansion&f=false
[8]. Xiao, Y. (2023). Disney, The Absolutely Dominant of Business. Highlights in Business, Economics and Management, 6(2023), 103–106. https://doi.org/10.54097/hbem.v6i.6311
[9]. Maddodi, S., & K, K. P. (2019, October 21). Netflix Bigdata Analytics - The Emergence of Data Driven Recommendation. Papers.ssrn.com. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3473148
[10]. Tonn, T. (2008). Disney’s Influence on Females Perception of Gender and Love. https://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/42923/2008tonnt.pdf?sequence=1
[11]. Giroux, H. A. (1998). Public Pedagogy and Rodent Politics: Cultural Studies and the Challenge of Disney. Arizona Journal of Hispanic Cultural Studies, 2(1), 253–266. https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/69/article/378066/pdf
[12]. Vizcaíno-Verdú, A., Aguaded, I., & Contreras-Pulido, P. (2021). Understanding Transmedia Music on YouTube through Disney Storytelling. Sustainability, 13(7), 3667. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13073667
[13]. Rutherford, A., & Baker, S. (2021). The Disney “Princess Bubble” as a Cultural Influencer. M/c Journal, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.5204/mcj.2742
Cite this article
Chen,M. (2024). Exploring Disney's Future Development Trends over the Next Decade. Communications in Humanities Research,27,255-259.
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References
[1]. Huang, J., Li, J., & Li, Y. (2022). Strategic Analysis of Disney Branding Management-a SWOT situational analysis and recommendations. https://www.clausiuspress.com/conferences/LNEMSS/WTED%202022/Y0912.pdf
[2]. Havard, C. (2022). Disney, Netflix, and Amazon Oh My! An Analysis of Streaming Brand Competition and the Impact on the Future of Consumer Entertainment. Findings in Sport, Hospitality, Entertainment, and Event Management, 1(1). https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/finsheem/vol1/iss1/7/
[3]. Robbins, M. (2014). Trace: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange The Most Powerful Mouse in the World : The Globalization of the Disney Brand Part of the Advertising and Promotion Management Commons, Hospitality Administration and Management Commons, International Business Commons, Marketing Commons, Sales and Merchandising Commons, and the Tourism and Travel Commons. https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2658&context=utk_chanhonoproj
[4]. Johnson, M. (2021). Hollywood Survival Strategies in the post-COVID 19 Era. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-021-00776-z
[5]. Steiner, E., & Xu, K. (2018). Binge-watching motivates change. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 26(1), 135485651775036. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856517750365
[6]. Dittmann, F. (2022). The successful market entry of Disney+: strategic positioning in the subscription video on demand sector. Run.unl.pt. https://run.unl.pt/handle/10362/138714
[7]. Adamou, C., & Petridis, S. (2023). Television by Stream: Essays on Marketing, Content and Audience Worldwide. In Google Books. McFarland. https://books.google.com.sg/books?hl=en&lr=&id=SB_BEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA111&dq=Disney+Opportunities+for+International+Expansion&ots=CFEDdyUjhd&sig=xbyoZjl-pkBXoX5f1vTUY3CcEfI&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Disney%20Opportunities%20for%20International%20Expansion&f=false
[8]. Xiao, Y. (2023). Disney, The Absolutely Dominant of Business. Highlights in Business, Economics and Management, 6(2023), 103–106. https://doi.org/10.54097/hbem.v6i.6311
[9]. Maddodi, S., & K, K. P. (2019, October 21). Netflix Bigdata Analytics - The Emergence of Data Driven Recommendation. Papers.ssrn.com. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3473148
[10]. Tonn, T. (2008). Disney’s Influence on Females Perception of Gender and Love. https://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/42923/2008tonnt.pdf?sequence=1
[11]. Giroux, H. A. (1998). Public Pedagogy and Rodent Politics: Cultural Studies and the Challenge of Disney. Arizona Journal of Hispanic Cultural Studies, 2(1), 253–266. https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/69/article/378066/pdf
[12]. Vizcaíno-Verdú, A., Aguaded, I., & Contreras-Pulido, P. (2021). Understanding Transmedia Music on YouTube through Disney Storytelling. Sustainability, 13(7), 3667. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13073667
[13]. Rutherford, A., & Baker, S. (2021). The Disney “Princess Bubble” as a Cultural Influencer. M/c Journal, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.5204/mcj.2742