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Facebook, ABC Networks, team up for political education

Posted Nov 27th 2007 5:10PM by Beth Gaston Moon (RSS feed)
Filed under: Deals, Products and services, Internet, Microsoft (MSFT), Marketing and advertising, Walt Disney (DIS), Politics

Remember in 2004 when Sean Combs Puff Daddy P-Diddy Diddy helped champion the "Vote or Die" campaign? Yeah, me neither. But for decades, attempts to get the younger generation to the polls have been critical parts of our major elections. I still remember watching Bill Clinton on MTV in the summer of 1992, lamenting the fact that I was only 18 and unable to vote.

A new President will be elected in about 50 weeks, and Walt Disney's (NYSE: DIS) ABC Networks is planning on using new media to help educate the social-networking crowd about candidates and news along the campaign trail. The network has inked a deal with Facebook -- in which Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) owns a small stake -- to provide news reports and video for the nearly 60 million members of the website. Facebook members will also be able to participate in polls and debates.

ABC and Facebook have announced plans to jointly sponsor Democratic and Republican Presidential debates in New Hampshire on January 5, three days ahead of the critical primary election in the Granite State. Dan Rose, VP of business development for Facebook, told The New York Times that "Through this partnership, we want to extend the dialogue both before and after the debate."

The agreement was not of a financial nature. ABC News will have exposure on an increasingly popular site; Facebook gets free, fresh content for its political section.

Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.

Dick Clark to 'Rock' New Year's Eve once again

Posted Nov 13th 2007 6:31PM by Beth Gaston Moon (RSS feed)
Filed under: Good news, Television, Marketing and advertising, Walt Disney (DIS)

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve is a tradition for many Americans. Some tune in to catch a particular musical act; some just keep it on mute to watch the ball drop. The program has aired every December 31 since 1972 on The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS)'s ABC Network and is typically a high ratings draw for the network, particularly at a time when so many regularly scheduled programs are in reruns.

Living legend Dick Clark has served as host or co-host for every broadcast with two exceptions, the most recent being 2004, as he recovered from a stroke. The last two years, Ryan Seacrest, of American Idol hosting fame, has helped man the mic in Times Square. In 2005, it was announced that Seacrest will be handed the hosting torch should the 77-year-old Clark be unable to perform his time-honored role.

But count on ringing in 2008 with the Idol emcee and the "America's Oldest Teenager." It was announced this week that the pair will again share hosting duties for the 36th edition of the broadcast. The show will run 3-1/2 hours and begin at 10 p.m. Eastern time on - when else? December 31 (it's a Monday this year).

Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.

Walt Disney earnings edge out estimates

Posted Aug 1st 2007 5:30PM by Beth Gaston Moon (RSS feed)
Filed under: After the bell, Earnings reports, Good news, Walt Disney (DIS)

Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) scampered into the earnings confessional just after the close to report third-quarter net income of $1.18 billion, a 4.7% increase from the previous year. Per-share earnings increased to 57 cents per share, or 58 cents excluding items. Analysts were expecting The Mouse House to bank just 55 cents per share, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Sales were 6.7% higher at $9.05 billion, also edging out the consensus view of $9.01 billion. Revenue from parks and resorts rose 7.4% to $2.9 billion, cable-network revenue rose 4.5% to $2.3 billion, and media networks revenue was 5.6% higher at $3.8 billion.

In other news, Disney announced plans to buy Club Penguin - an online site that enables children to create their own virtual polar-friendly friend - for $350 million in cash. If Club Penguin meets certain performance goals through 2009, an additional $350 million will be paid. The Wall Street Journal notes that this is Disney's first foray into the world of virtual and social networking.

In after-hours trading, DIS shares have slipped about 0.70% after a 2.5% close higher in regular activity.

Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.

ABC's fall TV lineup

Posted Mar 22nd 2007 9:55AM by Beth Gaston Moon (RSS feed)
Filed under: Television, Walt Disney (DIS)

It is already that time of year again, when networks begin to align their fall schedules. Fans of cult favorites like Veronica Mars worry about their shows teetering on the bubble, writers and stars associated with top-20 shows may become a little bit greedy, and the nation wonders who, exactly, is still watching The Bachelor.

Late Wednesday, ABC, a division of Walt Disney Co. (NYSE:DIS), announced 14 early confirmations for the 2007-2008 television season. Coming back for a second season are three breakout hits: Brothers & Sisters, Men in Trees, and Ugly Betty. Also on the list are Boston Legal, Desperate Housewives, Dancing With the Stars, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Grey's Anatomy, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Lost and, in fact, The Bachelor. This group joins three programs the network already committed to for the fall season: Supernanny, Wife Swap, and America's Funniest Home Videos (that's still on? News to me.)

Among the network's shows still awaiting a verdict are What About Brian, According to Jim, and George Lopez.

Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.

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