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Disney Streaming and Parks Shine in Fourth Quarter, but Some TV Networks, Movies Weaker

This image released by Disney shows the Silver Surfer, portrayed by Julia Garner, in a scene from "The Fantastic Four: First Steps." (Marvel/Disney via AP)
This image released by Disney shows the Silver Surfer, portrayed by Julia Garner, in a scene from "The Fantastic Four: First Steps." (Marvel/Disney via AP)
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Disney Streaming and Parks Shine in Fourth Quarter, but Some TV Networks, Movies Weaker

This image released by Disney shows the Silver Surfer, portrayed by Julia Garner, in a scene from "The Fantastic Four: First Steps." (Marvel/Disney via AP)
This image released by Disney shows the Silver Surfer, portrayed by Julia Garner, in a scene from "The Fantastic Four: First Steps." (Marvel/Disney via AP)

Disney's fourth-quarter performance was mixed as a weaker performance from its television networks and some films was buffered by strength in its streaming business and theme parks.

Disney is still trying to work out a new licensing deal with YouTube after its content went dark on YouTube TV late last month, leaving subscribers of the Google-owned live streaming platform without access to major networks like ESPN and ABC.

The Walt Disney Co. earned $1.31 billion, or 73 cents per share, for the three months ended Sept. 25. It earned $460 million, or 25 cents per share, in the prior-year period.

Stripping out one time charges and costs, earnings were $1.11 per share. That's better than the $1.03 per share that analysts polled by Zacks Investment Research predicted, The AP news reported.

Revenue for the Burbank, California, company totaled $22.46 billion, short of Wall Street’s estimate of $22.86 billion.

Revenue for Disney Entertainment, which includes the company’s movie studios and streaming service, dropped 6%, while revenue for the Experiences division, its parks, climbed 6%.

Operating income from linear networks dropped 21% and revenue slipped 16%. Disney said that the operating income decline was driven by the Star India transaction, as Star India contributed $84 million to its year-ago results. Operating income for domestic linear networks fell 7% due to lower advertising driven by declines in viewership and political advertising.

Disney said that its movie distribution results were weaker when compared with the same period last year, which was buoyed by “Deadpool & Wolverine” and spillover receipts from “Inside Out 2.” Films released during the most recent quarter included “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” “The Roses” and "Freakier Friday."

Disney’s direct-to-consumer business, which includes Disney+ and Hulu, posted quarterly operating income of $352 million compared with $253 million a year ago. Revenue rose 8%.

The Disney+ streaming service had a 3% increase in paid subscribers domestically, which includes the U.S. and Canada. There was a 4% rise internationally, which excludes Disney+ HotStar.

Total paid subscribers for Disney+ came to 132 million subscribers, up from 128 million in the third quarter.

Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions totaled 196 million, an increase of 12.4 million from the third quarter.

The strong streaming results come shortly after the entertainment company saw Disney+ and Hulu subscription cancellations climb in September when ABC briefly cancelled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!. ”

Data from subscription analytics company Antenna showed that Disney+ and Hulu subscription cancellations rose in September when ABC briefly cancelled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!.”

Walt Disney Co. owns the streaming platforms and ABC. ABC pulled the show off the air for less than a week in September in the wake of criticism over his comments related to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Prior to the incident, Disney had said in August that it anticipated that total fourth-quarter Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions would increase more than 10 million compared with the third quarter, with most of the increase coming from Hulu due to the expanded Charter deal. The company had also expected a modest increase in the number of Disney+ subscribers in the fourth quarter.

Disney also previously announced that it will stop reporting the number of paid subscribers for Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ streaming services because the metric has become less meaningful for evaluating the performance of its businesses. The company will stop reporting the metric for Disney+ and Hulu beginning with fiscal 2026’s first quarter and no longer reports the figure for ESPN+ starting with fiscal 2025’s fourth quarter.

The Experiences division, which includes Disney’s six global theme parks, its cruise line, merchandise and video game licensing, reported operating income climbed 13% to $1.88 billion. Operating income increased 9% at domestic parks. Operating income surged 25% for international parks and Experiences.

Disney maintained its forecast for double-digit adjusted earnings per share growth for fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027.

Disney's stock fell 5% before the market open on Thursday.

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Entertainment

Concert Pays Tribute to Swiss Fire Disaster Victims

Italian and French singer and songwriter Riccardo Cocciante (C), also known as Richard Cocciante performs during a tribute concert entitled “Au cœur de Crans” for the victims of the New Year’s Eve bar fire in Crans-Montana, at the Salle Métropole in Lausanne on April 22, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
Italian and French singer and songwriter Riccardo Cocciante (C), also known as Richard Cocciante performs during a tribute concert entitled “Au cœur de Crans” for the victims of the New Year’s Eve bar fire in Crans-Montana, at the Salle Métropole in Lausanne on April 22, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
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Concert Pays Tribute to Swiss Fire Disaster Victims

Italian and French singer and songwriter Riccardo Cocciante (C), also known as Richard Cocciante performs during a tribute concert entitled “Au cœur de Crans” for the victims of the New Year’s Eve bar fire in Crans-Montana, at the Salle Métropole in Lausanne on April 22, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
Italian and French singer and songwriter Riccardo Cocciante (C), also known as Richard Cocciante performs during a tribute concert entitled “Au cœur de Crans” for the victims of the New Year’s Eve bar fire in Crans-Montana, at the Salle Métropole in Lausanne on April 22, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

A benefit concert was held Wednesday in tribute to the victims of a New Year's fire that killed 41 people at an upscale Swiss ski resort, nearly four months on from the tragedy.

The concert brought together the families of victims and some of those who survived the fire, which erupted at a bar in the Alpine town of Crans-Montana in the early hours of January 1.

Most of those killed in disaster at Le Constellation bar were teenagers, while 115 people were injured.

At the concert, staged at the Salle Metropole theatre in Lausanne, the performing artists came onto the stage to a song written about the tragedy called "Etoile de nos coeurs" ("Star of our Hearts"), and lined up holding white roses.

Beforehand, the families of the victims gathered in the foyer. There were hugs, smiles and some tears.

"It's about solidarity. To all the victims, up there or here on Earth, it means one thing: we haven't forgotten you," Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, whose 16-year-old son Arthur was among those killed, told AFP.

"We're in survival mode. Half of our hearts have been ripped away," she added.

"It keeps alive the memory of all those who were hurt, both physically and emotionally."

Tickets cost from 90 Swiss francs ($115), with the proceeds going towards Swisshearts -- an association founded by parents affected by the disaster.

The participating artists -- performing for free -- included Gjon's Tears, who finished third for Switzerland at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest.

"There were a lot of young people, and even today, four months later, they find it hard to talk about it," the singer told AFP.

"These were young people who just wanted to party and have fun.

"Being close in age to the majority of the victims... I think we can relate to it," the 27-year-old said.

Also on the bill was the veteran Italian singer Richard Cocciante.

"We need to think about the people who are no longer here," the 80-year-old told AFP, adding that music "certainly helps; I don't know if it can heal, but it helps".

A total of 13 people are under criminal investigation in connection with the disaster, including the bar's owners and several current and former local officials.

The fire hit the Lausanne region hard.

Several of those killed were from the suburb of Lutry. Its football team lost seven players in the fire, with more injured in the disaster.

For many survivors badly burned in the fire, the journey towards resuming a normal life, where possible, is far from over, with lengthy hospital treatment followed by spells in rehabilitation and readaptation clinics.

Switzerland's Federal Office for Civil Protection told AFP on Wednesday that 38 patients were still in hospitals and clinics, including 19 in neighboring countries.

Entertainment

Slash, Lennon and Mercury Memorabilia on Offer at Propstore Music Auction

John Lennon and Yoko Ono. (AFP)
John Lennon and Yoko Ono. (AFP)
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Slash, Lennon and Mercury Memorabilia on Offer at Propstore Music Auction

John Lennon and Yoko Ono. (AFP)
John Lennon and Yoko Ono. (AFP)

From Slash's guitar to ‌a poster John Lennon signed hours before he was killed, items from music history hit the auction block next week in a sale valued at 1.5 million pounds ($2 million).

More than 400 lots are being offered in Propstore's Music Memorabilia Live Auction on April 30, including costumes, instruments and photos among other items.

Leading the sale is Guns N' Roses lead guitarist Slash's stage-used and autographed Gibson Les Paul '59 Custom Shop guitar, which he played during the band's "Not In This Lifetime... Tour". It has ‌a price ‌estimate of 150,000 pounds to 300,000 pounds ($405,210).

A promotional ‌poster ⁠for John Lennon ⁠and Yoko Ono's final collaborative album "Double Fantasy", signed by the former Beatle on December 8, 1980 - the day he was shot dead - is priced at 60,000-120,000 pounds.

Sold with audio proof, Propstore said it was one of only four items Lennon signed that day, hours before being shot at the entrance of ⁠the Dakota, his apartment building in New ‌York.

"The poster itself is super ‌rare because it was only available with promotional copies of the ‌album... and he gave each of these to the crew ‌who were interviewing him, RKO Radio," Mark Hochman, head of the music department at Propstore, said at a press preview on Wednesday.

A Shure 565 SD award gold microphone presented to Queen and used ‌by frontman Freddie Mercury is also listed, with an estimate of 30,000-60,000 pounds.

It is being ⁠sold by ⁠former Queen roadie Peter Hince, who was gifted the microphone by Mercury. Hince is also selling other Queen items, including a tambourine used by Mercury and a limited-edition blue vinyl pressing of the band's hit song "Bohemian Rhapsody".

“These are things that I got during my time with the band. I don't collect but I know there are people who'll be over the moon to get these things," Hince said.

Other items offered in Propstore's auction include a leather jacket worn by late singer George Michael in the "Faith" music video and a jacket worn by late rapper The Notorious B.I.G.

Entertainment

Michael Jackson Fans Pack Hollywood for Biopic Premiere

Genevieve Jackson Huguely, from left, TJ Jackson, Jermajesty Jackson, Frances Jackson, Randall Jackson Jr, Tarianno "Taj" Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Jaafar Jackson, Molly Schirmang, Jermaine Jackson, Maddie Simpson, Prince Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Jaimy Jackson, Austin Brown, Marlon Jackson, Asa Soltan and Autumn Jackson arrive at the premiere of "Michael" on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP)
Genevieve Jackson Huguely, from left, TJ Jackson, Jermajesty Jackson, Frances Jackson, Randall Jackson Jr, Tarianno "Taj" Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Jaafar Jackson, Molly Schirmang, Jermaine Jackson, Maddie Simpson, Prince Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Jaimy Jackson, Austin Brown, Marlon Jackson, Asa Soltan and Autumn Jackson arrive at the premiere of "Michael" on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP)
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Michael Jackson Fans Pack Hollywood for Biopic Premiere

Genevieve Jackson Huguely, from left, TJ Jackson, Jermajesty Jackson, Frances Jackson, Randall Jackson Jr, Tarianno "Taj" Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Jaafar Jackson, Molly Schirmang, Jermaine Jackson, Maddie Simpson, Prince Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Jaimy Jackson, Austin Brown, Marlon Jackson, Asa Soltan and Autumn Jackson arrive at the premiere of "Michael" on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP)
Genevieve Jackson Huguely, from left, TJ Jackson, Jermajesty Jackson, Frances Jackson, Randall Jackson Jr, Tarianno "Taj" Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Jaafar Jackson, Molly Schirmang, Jermaine Jackson, Maddie Simpson, Prince Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Jaimy Jackson, Austin Brown, Marlon Jackson, Asa Soltan and Autumn Jackson arrive at the premiere of "Michael" on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP)

Hollywood was clad in black and glittering sequins on Monday to host the Los Angeles premiere of Michael Jackson's biopic, drawing fans of the King of Pop to the iconic California boulevard.

The film "Michael" chronicles the legendary artist's rise from a child star to one of the world's most famous pop icons, and arrives 16 years after his death.

It was initially released in Europe and will hit US theaters on Friday.

"It's beautiful to see all these people here to support Michael Jackson and support the movie, and to show love for Michael," the film's director Antoine Fuqua told AFP.

Its premiere in Los Angeles -- the adopted home of the "Billie Jean" performer -- also became a family affair, led by the film's star and icon's nephew Jaafar Jackson.

"(This) being the first time that I've ever got into acting and to be able to portray my Uncle Michael, it's so surreal," Jaafar told AFP.

"I'm still taking it in and not really realizing how much it's going to hit me or when it's going to hit me. But, you know, it's incredible," he added.

Jaafar's performance won praise from his uncles, who highlighted the acting newcomer's "wonderful job" in portraying a figure they knew with an intimacy few others shared.

"When I watch the movie, I think I'm watching Michael on the stage... He did such a wonderful job. (It) brings tears to my eyes," Michael's brother, Jackie Jackson, said on the black carpet.

Marlon Jackson -- another member of the Jackson 5, the youth group where Michael got his start as an artist -- reflected on how the film might offer a window into the famous family's home life.

"I think people understand and realize that the Jackson family is no different than any family. We go through our trials and tribulations, ups and downs, but we learn to agree to disagree," he said.

- Family affair -

Marlon, Jackie, Jaafar and La Toya Jackson -- one of Michael's sisters -- shared embraces on the black carpet, where they met the actors who portrayed them and their parents in the film.

Nia Long, who stepped into the shoes of Katherine -- Michael's mother and close ally -- remarked that, in a male-dominated world, the women of the clan "set the baseline for how the family moved."

The actress hopes the film will allow audiences to view Michael Jackson as "an artist who was a master of his artistry" and someone who "cared deeply about humanity."

As for Colman Domingo, who portrays Michael's strict father Joe Jackson: "Everyone has a story, and everyone has something you can learn from -- just like a great album."

"Hopefully this film is a great album for someone, and if they could take something from it, then we did our job."