Disney Reportedly to Spend $5 Bln in Europe, UK on New Blockbusters

FILE PHOTO: The logo of the Times Square Disney store is seen in Times Square, New York City, US December 5, 2019.  REUTERS/Nick Pfosi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The logo of the Times Square Disney store is seen in Times Square, New York City, US December 5, 2019. REUTERS/Nick Pfosi/File Photo
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Disney Reportedly to Spend $5 Bln in Europe, UK on New Blockbusters

FILE PHOTO: The logo of the Times Square Disney store is seen in Times Square, New York City, US December 5, 2019.  REUTERS/Nick Pfosi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The logo of the Times Square Disney store is seen in Times Square, New York City, US December 5, 2019. REUTERS/Nick Pfosi/File Photo

Disney plans to spend at least $5 billion in the UK and continental Europe over the next five years to produce blockbuster movies and TV shows, Jan Koeppen, its president across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, told Financial Times on Friday.

The company will commit about $1 billion a year in the region over the next five years across films, Disney+, National Geographic and other TV productions, Koeppen told FT.

Disney's plans could build on the recent success of films like "Inside Out 2" and the company's television business.

"Inside Out 2" notched $1.6 billion in global ticket sales and "Deadpool & Wolverine," which debuted in the current quarter, has brought in more than $850 million.

"We feel like we're really on a roll again with movies, which is fantastic,” Koeppen told FT.

Disney didn't immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment
Koeppen's comments follow Disney forecasting a 'moderation in demand' at its theme park business in coming quarters, pulling shares down 1.1% on Wednesday.

Koeppen leads Disney's EMEA business commercially and operationally in over 130 markets across the region, according to the company's website. His responsibilities include handling Disney+, motion pictures, television, content licensing and local original productions, the website showed.



Taylor Swift Leads the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards Nominations, Followed by Post Malone

US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift arrives for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 4, 2024. (AFP)
US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift arrives for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 4, 2024. (AFP)
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Taylor Swift Leads the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards Nominations, Followed by Post Malone

US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift arrives for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 4, 2024. (AFP)
US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift arrives for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 4, 2024. (AFP)

It’s Taylor Swift’s world, and the MTV Video Music Award nominations are the latest proof.

“The Tortured Poets Department” singer once again tops the VMA noms with 10 — eight for her “Fortnight” music video and nods in the artist of the year and best pop categories. She’s followed by her “Fortnight” collaborator Post Malone, who is nominated along with Swift eight times and earned his ninth nom for his country hit “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen.

Rounding out the artist of the year category nominees announced Tuesday are Ariana Grande, Bad Bunny, Eminem, Sabrina Carpenter and SZA.

Swift took home nine VMAs last year, bringing her total to an impressive 23. That places her just behind Beyoncé, who has 28 (two with Destiny’s Child) and just ahead of Madonna, who has 20 awards, and Lady Gaga, who has 19.

The 2024 MTV VMAs will air live on Sept. 10 at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Grande, Carpenter and Eminem are tied with six nods; Megan Thee Stallion and SZA have five each. Blackpink's LISA, Olivia Rodrigo and Teddy Swims follow with four nominations.

This year marks 29 first-time nominees, which include Wallen, Carpenter and Swims as well as Benson Boone and Tyla — the latter boast three nominations each.

Also nominated for the first time in 2024 are Chappell Roan, Coco Jones, Gracie Abrams, Jelly Roll, Jessie Murph, LE SSERAFIM, Morgan Wallen, Rauw Alejandro, RAYE, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, Tyla, Tyler Childers, Victoria Monet and more.

The VMAs will be held at the UBS Arena on New York's Long Island. Fan voting begins online Tuesday across 15 categories and ends Aug. 30.

Voting in the best new artist category will remain active throughout the show.