Disney’s Magic Continues to Shine in Europe
At the Deloitte Media & Telecoms 2024 and Beyond Conference in London, Jan Koeppen, Disney’s EMEA president, shared the company’s phenomenal journey and vision. Celebrating Disney’s unyielding flair for storytelling, Koeppen emphasized Disney’s ability to weave lasting “connections” with audiences through its vast portfolio, spanning from cinemas to streaming services.
Koeppen spotlighted “The Lion King” as a beacon of Disney’s prowess, illustrating how its characters and epic stories transcend time to become cultural milestones. From the beloved classics like “Peter Pan,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Moana,” to the expansive “Star Wars” saga that now includes hit TV series like “The Mandalorian,” Disney’s storytelling extends beyond screens, embedding itself in global culture.
A significant highlight was the upcoming summer blockbuster “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which has already garnered an astonishing 365 million trailer views. Similarly, the enduring magic of “The Lion King” was underscored by the upcoming release of “Mufasa: The Lion King” and the 25th anniversary of the West End stage show, which has amazed 20 million visitors.
Beyond celebrating its cinematic triumphs, Disney’s dedication to the U.K. and the EMEA region was dearly noted. Over the last five years, Disney has invested a whopping $4.5 billion in U.K. productions, creating thousands of jobs and producing an array of films, TV shows, and National Geographic content, further solidifying its commitment.
Koeppen also reassured that traditional TV remains integral despite the streaming surge—highlighting Disney’s strategic blend of theatrical releases, streaming, and linear TV. He noted, “Our linear networks are an important part of this mix,” emphasizing that content licensing, including partnerships with the BBC and ITV, remains a critical revenue and publicity driver.
Disney+ has made remarkable strides, with tens of millions of subscribers in 85 countries, half of whom are childless households. Koeppen revealed intriguing data, such as “Shōgun” becoming EMEA’s most-watched general entertainment series premiere and “Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story” ranking second only to “The Kardashians” in the UK.
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(Original Source: [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/walt-disney-the-lion-king-film-streaming-tv-1235910567/))
