If Netflix is one of the companies better suited to thriving within or despite the special circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney is certainly at the other end of that spectrum. With theme parks and resorts closed, cruises suspended, and movie theaters shuttered for months, the media and entertainment giant from Burbank, California has been hit on multiple fronts by the ongoing crisis.
“COVID-19 and measures to prevent its spread impacted our segments in a number of ways, most significantly at Parks, Experiences and Products,” the company wrote in its latest earnings report for the quarter and fiscal year ended October 3, 2020. “Our theme parks were closed or operating at significantly reduced capacity for a significant portion of the year, cruise ship sailings and guided tours were suspended since late in the second quarter and retail stores were closed for a significant portion of the year. We also had an adverse impact on our merchandise licensing business. In addition, at Studio Entertainment we have delayed, or in some cases, shortened or cancelled, theatrical releases, and stage play performances have been suspended since late in the second quarter.”
Taking all these adverse effects into account, Disney estimates the impact of COVID-19 on its operating profit for fiscal 2020 at $7.4 billion, with the Parks, Experiences and Products segment alone taking a $6.9 billion hit. As the following chart shows, revenue in the segment that includes Disney’s parks, resorts and cruises, as well as its retail and product licensing business dropped by 37 percent in the twelve months ended October 3, with sales falling by much more than that in the second half of Disney’s fiscal year. Studio Entertainment was also heavily impacted by the pandemic due to widespread theater closures.
Meanwhile Disney’s direct-to-consumer business, including Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu may have profited from the special circumstances as people were forced to stay at home. Less than 12 months after its launch, Disney+ has already reached 73 million paid subscribers, illustrating the pull of Disney’s vast content library. “The real bright spot has been our direct-to-consumer business, which is key to the future of our company,” CEO Bob Chapek said.
This chart shows Disney’s revenue in the fiscal year ended October 3, 2020.
