Walt Disney Company's streaming platform Disney+ surpassed 100 million paying subscribers mark across 59 countries just 16 months after it launched operations.
Disney+, which saw its subscriber base expand to 87 million paying members in the first year of operations, is fast emerging as one of main challengers to the global dominance of Netflix that boasts more than 200 million customers.
"The enormous success of Disney+ … has inspired us to be even more ambitious, and to significantly increase our investment in the development of high-quality content," Walt Disney's chief executive, Bob Chapek, said in a statement to the company's virtual meeting of shareholders on Tuesday.
“In fact, we set a target of 100+ new titles per year.”
Disney+ is home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. It is available on most internet-connected devices and offers programming including films, documentaries, animated series and short-form content. It also exclusively streams films from The Walt Disney Studios.
“Our direct-to-consumer business is the company’s top priority, and our robust pipeline of content will continue to fuel its growth,” Mr Chapek said.
The service was launched in the US in November 2019 before becoming available to viewers in Canada, Australia Singapore, Mexico, Japan and India. Last September, the company rolled out its services to additional European markets, launched Disney+Hotstar in Indonesia and started Disney+ streaming in Latin American markets in November. Disney plans additional launches in a number of Asia-Pacific territories this year, according to its 2020 annual report.
The service has yet to be rolled out in the Middle East where Netflix competes with regional streaming platforms including OSN and Starzplay.
Walt Disney hopes to reopen its California theme parks to limited attendance in late April, Reuters reported, citing Mr Chapek. The parks were closed a year ago due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
California officials have set guidelines that allow for theme parks in the state to reopen as soon as April 1. However, Mr Chapek said it would take a few weeks to call back 10,000 furloughed employees to its two theme parks at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim and train them in new virus safety procedures.
Disney may also be able to resume some cruise ship operations in the fall. The company is hoping for a comeback at cinemas this year and intends to release Marvel movie Black Widow in theatres on May 7, Mr Chapek said.
Disney’s executive compensation plan was also approved at the meeting with 68 per cent votes in favour, a contrast from three years ago when investors rejected the plan, according to Bloomberg.
Mr Chapek, 61, earned $14.2 million in the last fiscal year, less than the $21.9m his predecessor Bob Iger earned in his first year as chief executive in 2006. Disney has eliminated bonuses for its mostly highly compensated executives in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
Recipe
Garlicky shrimp in olive oil
Gambas Al Ajillo
Preparation time: 5 to 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
180ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 to 5 large cloves of garlic, minced or pureed (or 3 to 4 garlic scapes, roughly chopped); 1 or 2 small hot red chillies, dried (or ¼ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes); 400g raw prawns, deveined, heads removed and tails left intact; a generous splash of sweet chilli vinegar; sea salt flakes for seasoning; a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Method
▶ Heat the oil in a terracotta dish or frying pan. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the garlic and chilli, stirring continuously for about 10 seconds until golden and aromatic.
▶ Add a splash of sweet chilli vinegar and as it vigorously simmers, releasing perfumed aromas, add the prawns and cook, stirring a few times.
▶ Once the prawns turn pink, after 1 or 2 minutes of cooking, remove from the heat and season with sea salt flakes.
▶ Once the prawns are cool enough to eat, scatter with parsley and serve with small forks or toothpicks as the perfect sharing starter. Finish off with crusty bread to soak up all that flavour-infused olive oil.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
