Disney Channel Ratings

"Ratings Highlights for November 09 - Final National Ratings

Disney Channel Ranks as TV’s No. 1 Network in Prime for the 57th Consecutive Month in Kids 6-11 and for the 56th in Tweens 9-14

“Phineas and Feb” Stands as the Month’s No. 1 TV Series in Kids 6-11 for the 2nd Consecutive Month, and Also Ranks No. 1 in Tweens 9-14

Disney Channel Airs TV’s Top 3 Series in Tweens 9-14, and 3 of the Top 4 in Kids 6-11"

Basically, this is why Disney's bringing Rich Ross up the ranks.

More Ross Administration

Rich Ross has been listening in on Business of Media or something because now he's trying to convince Hollywood they have to completely rethink traditional distribution methods to compensate for the internet as a growing platform for entertainment. This involves more targeted marketing (as we've seen with Facebook and Hulu) and a shorter window between theater release and home-viewing. (I'm still ambivalent and curious for the future on this last point. Will a shorter window mean higher DVD-or in the future, KeyChest- sales as the movie will be fresh in audiences minds? Will this be at the expense of box office sales since audiences know they won't have to wait long to just own the movie? Will exhibitors than have to fight to stress the importance of a theater-going experience? Stay tuned.)

More changes come from the previously mentioned staff changes. The booting of Daniel Battsek (of specialty label Miramax) exemplifies Ross and Bob Iger's growing emphasis on safe family-friendly movies and franchises/sequels which are more easily recognizable and marketable. Unfortunately, they seem to know and don't care that this will come at the expense of original ideas and stories, which is extremely disappointing. (If only there were more people like my man, John Lasseter who'd try to make them see the light.)

Now, according to Ross, "it's brand over everything else." Sad.

More marketing recognition* comes to the need for "more movies that appeal to women." Given their stereotypical penchant for doing things in groups (like trips to the bathroom), it seems to make more sense that women are more likely to want to see a movie in theaters. At least online, women 25 to 54 are "heavy online ticket buyers" and movie ticket purchasers are 39% more likely to be female." This is why we have Twilight movies.

*This should count as like, 3 blog posts right? :]

Rich Ross Restructuring

Continuing the thread of changes under Rich Ross, the new chairman of Walt Disney Studios has already made some changes.

• Greg Brandeau, vice president of Pixar Studios, will be chief of technology at Walt Disney Studios
• Alan Bergman, still president of WDS, will get added responsibilities of managing studio franchises, to reflect Ross' "focus on brands that can be utilized by other divisions within the company"
• Oren Aviv will still oversee live-action movies
• Bob Chapek, president of home entertainment, is now also head of distribution for "all outlets for Disney movies, including theaters, DVD, pay television and new media"
• New marketing head TBA

Unfortunately a handful of executive have already be left by the wayside or have left due to the changes including Jim Gallagher (former marketing head), Dick Cook (chairman replaces by Ross), Daniel Battsek (former president of Miramax), and Mike Zoradi (formerly oversaw world wide distribution and marketing).

It seems many positions will now report directly to Ross, Chief Executive Bob Iger, or Chapek. Part of the reason they're using is that these interconnected responsibilities will help promote inter-division coordinating on marketing. Some are citing higher-ups' disatisfaction with the marketing of their recent big budget, computer animated, A Christmas Carol.

Disney thinks of more creative ways to interconnect their marketing and advertising than actual creative content. It seems they've become all about stretching everything out of what little they come up with and make the most money possible simply out of franchises.

I wish they'd stop shuffling around and listen to my man, John Lasseter about how people really care about good content.

Mark Zoradi Leaves Movie Studios

Mark Zoradi has left his position as president of Disney's motion picture studios following the departure of his former boss Dick Cook, succeeded by Rich Ross.

Since Bob Iger's appointment of Ross, there have been talks of restructuring Disney's distribution techniques. They plan to shorten the window between theater release and DVD release to keep up with consumers wanting movies on demand, now, anywhere.

Personally, this doesn't seem like a great idea. In the age of video on demand, movies online, etc, movie theaters still have a surprising amount of business. Going to the theater is an event and a way to see the movie as soon as possible. Closing the gap between theater release and DVD release seems to just make less incentive to go to the movie since you don't have have as much time to wait.

Mickey Money

I kind of feel like my friend after she used a meal swipe to get some homeless guy some food only to come back and catch him on his cell phone.

The theme of many recent Disney articles is their desire for more revenue - from parks, new content, etc. - seemingly negatively affected by the recession and crying about it.
Looking at they're annual revenues from 1991 - 2008 (yes, it's Wikipedia, but they're cited), their revenue increases by a greater margin each year.

Last year's annual revenue topped at nearly $38 billion.

You're really suffering guys.

Anyway, the more interesting point is that nearly $16 billion of that is from Disney Media Networks. This isn't surprising when you realize this includes ESPN as well as Disney channels, ABC channels, and Radio Disney.

Here's yet another reason they moved up someone from their TV department - it's been the their most successful area.

With Rich Ross now heading the movie studios, all the additions to Disney World, revamps to all the Disney Stores and more, looks like Disney's trying to get each of it's sectors up to the level of it's Media Networks.

Disney Channel head now to lead Movie Studios

latimes.com

Rich Ross, President of Disney Channel Worldwide, is credited with saving the tv network since the 1990's with shows like Lizzie McGuire, That's So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Sonny With A Chance. He's also largely responsible for the rise of Disney's current star franchises - Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers.

And Chief Executive Rob Iger loves some meaty franchises. Mm mmm