The Walt Disney Company is a globally leading entertainment and media company based in Burbank, California, USA. Founded in 1923 by Walt and Roy Disney, the company has since become a multi-billion dollar heavyweight, operating in four strategic business segments: Studio Entertainment, Media Networks, Parks and Resorts, and Consumer Products and Interactive Media.
Studio Entertainment encompasses the production, marketing, and distribution of live-action and animated films, music, and theatrical plays. This segment has created some of the most well-known and successful film brands in entertainment history, including Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, National Geographic, and Disney. Additionally, Disney offers merchandise products, as well as apps and games based on its most popular films and characters to its fans.
Media Networks includes the management of Disney-owned television and radio networks, including ABC Television Network, Disney Channel, and ESPN. Additionally, Disney is also involved in Hulu, a streaming service. Media Networks is a major source of revenue for the company and achieved a revenue of $24.8 billion in 2020.
Parks and Resorts is a significant business segment of Disney and includes theme parks, water parks, cruises, resorts, and a timeshare system. The Walt Disney Parks and Resorts are known for their iconic popular parks, including Disneyland in California, Magic Kingdom in Florida, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Shanghai Disneyland. However, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, this segment suffered significantly due to travel restrictions and business closures. Nevertheless, they reported a revenue of $4.59 billion in 2020.
Consumer Products and Interactive Media encompass the sale of licenses to third-party companies, as well as the sale of their own products such as apparel, toys, books, and collectibles. The Interactive Media segment focuses on digital platforms and offers Disney apps, games, and virtual reality experiences.
Overall, the business model of The Walt Disney Company is focused on creating a comprehensive entertainment experience for families and people of all ages. Disney relies on brand awareness as a competitive advantage and withstands the challenges faced by the global entertainment market through its intellectual property strength. With a wide range of offerings, Disney benefits from numerous revenue sources and continues to strive for improving entertainment products that include innovative design concepts and new technologies, making them accessible to everyone.
Answer: The Walt Disney Company is a globally leading entertainment and media company based in Burbank, California, USA. Founded in 1923, it operates in four business segments: Studio Entertainment, Media Networks, Parks and Resorts, and Consumer Products and Interactive Media. Studio Entertainment produces and markets films, music, and theater plays. Media Networks manages Disney-owned TV and radio networks. Parks and Resorts includes theme parks, resorts, and cruises. Consumer Products and Interactive Media sells licenses and products. Disney provides comprehensive entertainment experiences globally.