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Walt Disney

Disney operates in three global business segments: entertainment, sports, and experiences. Entertainment and experiences both benefit from the firm's ownership of iconic franchises and characters. Entertainment includes the ABC broadcast network, several cable television networks, and the Disney+ and Hulu streaming services. Within the segment, Disney also engages in movie and television production and distribution, with content licensed to movie theaters, other content providers, or, increasingly, kept in-house for use on Disney's own streaming platform and television networks. The sports segment houses ESPN and the ESPN+ streaming service. Experiences contains Disney's theme parks and vacation destinations, and also benefits from merchandise licensing.

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Disney ha caído en bolsa pese a sólidos resultados. Jim Cramer ve una oportunidad de compra, ¿podría subir un 20%? Descúbrelo aquí.

Jim Cramer predice alza en las acciones de Disney (DIS): ¿Cómo aprovechar la caída del precio?

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Las acciones de EE.UU. suben mientras los inversores analizan los aranceles, resultados financieros y expectativas de la Fed.

Los futuros de Wall Street suben: ¿Cómo impactarán los aranceles y las ganancias empresariales?

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Aquí tienes cinco acciones estadounidenses que podrían llamar la atención de los inversores este miércoles: DIS, GOOG, UBER, AMD y F.

5 acciones en el foco este miércoles: DIS, GOOG, UBER, AMD y F

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Accelerations in digital experience, newness and value, speed and reliability will amplify the everyday discovery and delight that differentiates the brand
MINNEAPOLIS, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At its financial community meeting today,&nbsp;Target Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) outlined how ongoing investments will aim to accelerate its strategy and drive billions of dollars of profitable sales growth across its multi-channel business by 2030. The plans include:
<ul>
<li>Bringing consumers an on-trend and affordable assortment packed with style, newness and value</li>
<li>Reinforcing Target as the destination for discovery by further blending its one-of-a-kind physical, digital and social commerce shopping experiences</li>
<li>Increasing ease, reliability and speed by investing in supply chain and fulfillment capabilities, and rewarding guests for choosing Target through Target Circle benefits</li>
</ul>
"Shoppers continue to seek differentiated options and distinctive shopping experiences without sacrificing value, and Target has the scale, strategy and capabilities to support all the ways consumers shop and engage with brands," said Brian Cornell, chair and chief executive officer, Target. "With gains in consumer traffic, continuing improvements in speed and reliability, and accelerating growth across digital capabilities, we are doubling down on initiatives that scale these capabilities and drive meaningful top-line and bottom-line growth. Our strategy is all about creating today's Tarzhay, offering everyday discovery and delight for millions of families and ensuring Target is a consumer favorite for years to come."
Delighting guests with on-trend newness and exceptional value Target will offer even more newness, quality and relevance across its unique product assortment. Investments will aim to build further momentum in the retailer's core discretionary categories and accelerate growth in frequency categories. Plans include:
<ul>
<li>Reimagining key categories – Beginning in 2025, a multi-year initiative will build momentum in product categories with growth potential. For example, a reinvention in gaming, sports and toys will offer new and expanded assortments and an enhanced in-store experience that will strengthen Target's position as a gaming destination with video game releases and expand its youth sports offerings. The retailer is also refreshing its home assortment by adding even more trend-forward newness to brands like Hearth &amp; Hand with Magnolia and Threshold designed with Studio McGee.</li>
<li>Owned brand innovation&nbsp;– To spur further growth in frequency categories, Target will launch a new series of Good &amp; Gather Collabs with celebrated chefs, kicking off March 9 with James Beard Award-winner <a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4374862-1&amp;h=2512905287&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fcorporate.target.com%2Fnews-features%2Farticle%2F2025%2F03%2Fgood-gather-collabs-ann-kim&amp;a=Chef+Ann+Kim">Chef Ann Kim</a>. More owned brand newness — including up&amp;up and other essentials-brand expansions, 600 new food and beverage items across Good &amp; Gather and Favorite Day and a refresh in Boots &amp; Barkley pet supplies — will bring consumers a wider range of affordable options.</li>
<li>New partnerships – Target will offer more of its beloved brand partnerships across the assortment, including recently announced collections with <a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4374862-1&amp;h=3488886684&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fcorporate.target.com%2Fpress%2Frelease%2F2025%2F02%2Ftarget-announces-strategic-partnership-with-champion%2C-offering-stylish-activewear-and-sporting-goods&amp;a=Champion">Champion</a> and <a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4374862-1&amp;h=4261399095&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fcorporate.target.com%2Fpress%2Frelease%2F2025%2F02%2Ftarget-introduces-new-pillowfort-collections-featuring-disney-and-marvel&amp;a=Disney">Disney</a>, as well as shop-in-shops with <a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4374862-1&amp;h=3016294869&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fcorporate.target.com%2Fpress%2Frelease%2F2025%2F02%2Ftarget-and-warby-parker-team-up-to-bring-stylish%2C-affordable-eyewear-to-more-consumers&amp;a=Warby+Parker">Warby Parker</a>.</li>
<li>Speed and flexibility in apparel – Enhancements in apparel will reduce the time it takes to design, source and get product on shelves — strategically managing raw materials, production capacity and lead times to quickly add new styles and silhouettes to collections such as its rapidly growing All in Motion activewear line.</li>
<li>Newness in beauty&nbsp;– Target's ongoing evolution in the beauty category continued in February with the introduction of more than 45 new beauty brands and 2,000 new items, with 90% priced under $20, and more newness to come in the year ahead.</li>
</ul>

Target Announces Strategic Plans To Drive More Than $15B In Sales Growth By 2030; Emphasizes Style, Newness, and Value; Plans Include Reinventing Gaming And Sports Categories, Good & Gather Collabs Launch, Partnering With Champion And Disney, Expanding Beauty With 2K New Items, Boosting Supply Chain

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Shares of travel-related companies are trading lower amid market weakness and investor concerns about tariff risks, which may reduce spending towards tourism.

As President Donald Trump threatens <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/44010093/trumps-plan-for-canada-mexico-china-tariffs-to-start-march-4-could-shake-stock-market">new import duties beginning March 4</a>, American businesses are exploring creative strategies to reduce tariff costs rather than moving production to the U.S.
The stakes are high, with Edward Steiner, senior director of international trade at law firm Sandler, Travis &amp; Rosenberg, describing sweeping tariffs as potentially &#8220;existential&#8221; for many companies, <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2025/02/24/a-guide-to-dodging-donald-trumps-tariffs">The Economist reported last week</a>.
With Trump promising &#8220;no exceptions&#8221; to his trade policies, businesses that benefited from exemptions during his first term—like Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>)—may find relief harder to secure.
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Even relocating production from China to Southeast Asian countries might provide only temporary shelter.
&#8220;Companies could move operations to Thailand or Malaysia but end up having the same conversations in 18 months,&#8221; Dave Townsend of law firm Dorsey &amp; Whitney told The Economist.
Instead, many businesses are turning to &#8220;tariff engineering,&#8221; strategically modifying products to change their official classification. The practice <a href="http://files.lsba.org/documents/publications/BarJournal/Journal-Dec2017-Jan2018.pdf">dates back to at least 1881</a>, when the Supreme Court ruled that a sugar importer could legally alter merchandise to qualify for lower duty rates.
Modern examples <a href="https://blogs.pugetsound.edu/econ/2019/02/18/tariff-engineering-and-americas-favorite-shoe/">include Nike's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) Converse footwear brand</a>, which added a fabric layer to roughly half the insole of its Chuck Taylor All Star shoes imported from Vietnam. The design change reduced duties from up to 48% to as low as 7.5%. Similarly, Columbia Sportswear Co (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COLM#NASDAQ">COLM</a>) added pockets below the waist on shirts and blouses to shift them into lower-tariff categories.
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Walt Disney's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) Marvel unit exploited similar tariff classifications to lower import costs, according to <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-is-why-your-converse-sneakers-have-felt-on-the-bottom-6016648/">Smithsonian magazine</a>. Under customs regulations, &#8220;dolls&#8221; representing humans face higher tariffs than &#8220;toys&#8221; representing non-humans. The comic-book company successfully argued in court that its action figures qualified as &#8220;toys&#8221; rather than &#8220;dolls,&#8221; despite questions about whether superheroes should be classified as non-human.
Additional tactics include using the &#8220;first-sale&#8221; provision, which allows importers to value goods based on manufacturer prices rather than the higher prices charged by middlemen.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/qnetic-2">This 12,000 RPM Spinning Battery With Over $100 Million In LOIs Could Be The Missing Link For Green Energy — Here&#8217;s Why Early Investors Are Flocking To Invest Before Funding Closes</a>
Cash flow can be preserved by storing merchandise in bonded warehouses, where duties aren&#8217;t paid until goods are sold, or through temporary import bonds for items intended for re-export—strategies <a href="https://www.maersk.com/logistics-explained/storage-and-warehousing/2024/09/06/bonded-warehouses-explained">recommended last year by shipping giant Maersk</a> to its clients.
While the administration may eventually target the workarounds—customs officials <a href="https://www.foster.com/newsroom-alerts-Customs_Proposes_to_Eliminate_the_First_Sale_Rule">attempted to eliminate the first-sale rule in 2008</a> before being rebuffed by legal challenges—companies will likely continue finding creative solutions.
&#8220;People want stuff, and they&#8217;ll get it one way or another,&#8221; an unnamed trade lawyer told The Economist.
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How Companies Are Tweaking Products To Cut Trump's Tariff Costs

Sunday's 97th Academy Awards was one to remember for independent films "Anora" and "The Brutalist" and may have been a night to forget for streaming platforms Hulu and Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>), which despite the most nominations went <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/43167791/2025-oscars-emilia-perez-leads-with-13-nods-trump-portrayal-in-spotlight">home with few awards.</a>
Here are the winners and losers from the 97th Academy Awards.
The Winners
"Anora": Independent film "Anora" from Neon Pictures was the big winner of the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/03/44067420/2025-academy-awards-how-to-watch-betting-odds-will-a-film-about-donald-trump-win-any-awards"> 97th Academy Awards, </a>taking home five wins including Best Picture. The film scored wins for Best Actress, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing.
The film's director and writer Sean Baker was also a big winner taking home four awards, making him the first person to win four Academy Awards for the same movie. Legendary director Walt Disney previously won four Oscars at the same award ceremony in 1953, but his wins for four different movies, as reported by <a href="https://variety.com/2025/film/news/sean-baker-oscars-history-anora-four-wins-1236325468/">Variety</a>.
"The Brutalist": The A24 film won three Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Adrien Brody. While the film had some controversy over its use of AI in editing, it was the second most awarded film Sunday night.
Movie Theaters: Several of the top winning films were independent films that people either saw in theaters or waited a long time to view on a streaming platform. Films that were released only on streaming or in theaters and then quickly on a streaming platform received fewer awards.
"Anora" director Baker encouraged film fans to show some love to movie theaters.
"Movie theaters, especially independently-owned theaters are struggling," Baker said during his acceptance speech. "During the pandemic, we lost 1,000 screens in the U.S. And we continue to lose them regularly."
Baker encouraged filmmakers to continue making movies for the big screen.
"This is my battle cry."
James Bond: While James Bond movies haven't been huge award winners, the spy franchise received a special shout out at the award ceremony with a medley of the film's songs. The event comes after Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) recently locked up <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43880110/james-bond-franchise-shifts-hands-to-amazon-mgm-studios">a production deal</a> with the Broccoli family to make more films in the franchise as part of its buyout of MGM Studios.
Betting the Favorites: Ahead of the award ceremony, Benzing shared betting odds on top award categories from DraftKings and prediction market Kalshi. The favorites ended up winning the majority of the big awards including "Anora" for Best Picture at -200 odds. Brody, Culkin and Saldana were also heavy favorites at -250, -3,5000 and -2,500 respectively. Baker was the top pick for Director at -175. Among the big awards it was only Mikey Madison who was the upset winner for Best Actress at +175, beating out favorite Demi Moore (-250).
Donald Trump: A film about Trump's earlier life that the president fought against was nominated for several acting awards. The film didn't win the acting awards, which is likely a win for the president. Had Sebastian Stan won for his portrayal of Trump, it would have heaped more attention onto the controversial film and his acceptance speech may have included negative comments on the president. While several acceptance speeches and comments from host Conan O'Brien were political, Trump was not mentioned by name.
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The Losers
"Emilia Pérez": The Netflix movie, nominated for 13 awards, faced controversy ahead of the ceremony when old questionable tweets from the film's star Karla Sofía Gascón came to public attention. The film won two awards with Zoe Saldana winning Best Supporting Actress and the musical's "El Mal" winning Best Original Song.
Netflix: The streaming giant entered the award ceremony with a good chance to take home many awards, but only took home two &#8211; one for "Emilia Pérez" and the other for the documentary film "The Only Girl in the Orchestra." Netflix has had at least one film nominated for Best Picture in each year since 2019, but has yet to win the top award. Last year&#8217;s most nominated film &#8220;Oppenheimer&#8221;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/03/37600557/oppenheimer-scoops-the-96th-academy-awards-with-7-oscars-emma-stone-a-second-actress-award-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> took home seven wins </a>including Best Picture from its 13 nominations.
Hulu: The 97th Academy Awards were broadcast by ABC and streamed by Hulu, both units of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>). The awards ceremony was expected to run around three and a half hours. For many users watching on Hulu, their feed cut off after that 3:30 mark leaving them unable to watch the final two awards (Best Actress, Best Picture).
"This evening, we experienced technical and live stream issues on Hulu which impacted some Oscars viewers. We apologize for the experience and will make a full replay of the event available as soon as possible," Disney told <a href="https://deadline.com/2025/03/hulu-oscars-stream-cuts-off-final-two-awards-1236308521/">Deadline</a>.
For streaming platforms, live coverage of events like awards shows and sports has to have the contingency of the event running longer than scheduled and this could be a big miss for Hulu. The streaming platform also had earlier outages at the beginning of the award show.
Movie Blockbusters: With independent films taking home many top awards, big studios were left winning the smaller films. Among the higher grossing films like "Dune: Part Two" and "Wicked," the films took home only technical awards. "Wicked" had 10 nominations, but failed to win any of the big awards. "Inside Out 2," which became one of the highest grossing animated films of all time missed out on the Best Animated film to "flow," a film from Latvia.
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2025 Academy Awards Winners And Losers: How Netflix, Donald Trump, Hulu, 'Anora' And More Stack Up

The 2025 Academy Awards will be held on Sunday March 2. Here's a look at how to watch the awards ceremony and how movie fans have more ways to bet on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/43167791/2025-oscars-emilia-perez-leads-with-13-nods-trump-portrayal-in-spotlight">the potential winners.</a>
How to Watch the 2025 Academy Awards: The 2025 Academy Awards will air on ABC and stream on Hulu live for the first time. Both units are owned by The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>), one of the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43494650/disney-q1-earnings-powered-by-moana-2-and-mufasa-theme-parks-loses-streaming-subscribers"> largest media companies</a> in the world.
The awards start at 7 p.m. ET with the ceremony expected to last around three and a half hours.
Disney has reported that it sold out of advertising inventory for both ABC and Hulu ahead of the ceremony. The media company sought out $1.7 million to $2.3 million per 30-second advertisement, as reported by <a href="https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/disney-oscars-commericals-sold-out-2025-1236323501/">Variety</a>.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/03/37600557/oppenheimer-scoops-the-96th-academy-awards-with-7-oscars-emma-stone-a-second-actress-award-">&#8216;Oppenheimer&#8217; Scoops The 96th Academy Awards With 7 Oscars: Emma Stone Lands Second Actress Award For &#8216;Poor Things&#8217;</a>
Betting Odds: Movie fans will have several ways to bet on the 2025 Academy Awards with sportsbooks like DraftKings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DKNG#NASDAQ">DKNG</a>) and BetMGM, which is a joint venture from Entain and MGM Resorts International (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MGM#NYSE">MGM</a>) offering betting on the major awards.
Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket also offer betting odds on the larger races with contracts paying out $1 for correct picks or $0 for incorrect picks.
Here are the current betting odds from DraftKings for the top categories:
Best Picture
<ul>
<li>"Anora," Neon: -200</li>
<li>"Conclave," Distributed by Focus Features, a unit of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>): +225</li>
<li>"The Brutalist," A24: +600</li>
<li>"A Complete Unknown," Searchlight Pictures (Disney): +3,500</li>
<li>"Wicked," Universal Pictures (Comcast): +5,000</li>
<li>&#8220;Emilia Pérez," Netflix (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>): +6,500</li>
<li>"The Substance," Mubi: +8,000</li>
<li>"Dune: Part Two," Warner Bros. Pictures (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBD#NASDAQ">WBD</a>): +10,000</li>
<li>"I'm Still Here," Distributed by Sony Group Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SONY#NYSE">SONY</a>): +10,000</li>
<li>"Nickel Boys," Amazon MGM Studios, a unit of Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>): +15,000</li>
</ul>
Best Actor in a Leading Role
<ul>
<li>Adrien Brody, &#8220;The Brutalist&#8221;: -250</li>
<li>Timothée Chalamet, &#8220;A Complete Unknown&#8221;: +150</li>
<li>Ralph Fiennes, &#8220;Conclave&#8221;: +1,800</li>
<li>Sebastian Stan, &#8220;The Apprentice&#8221;: +3,500</li>
<li>Colman Domingo, &#8220;Sing Sing&#8221;: +5,000</li>
</ul>
Best Actress in a Leading Role
<ul>
<li>Demi Moore, &#8220;The Substance&#8221;: -250</li>
<li>Mikey Madison, &#8220;Anora&#8221;: +175</li>
<li>Fernanda Torres, &#8220;I&#8217;m Still Here&#8221;: +1,100</li>
<li>Cynthia Erivo,&nbsp;&#8220;Wicked&#8221;: +3,500</li>
<li>Karla Sofía Gascón, &#8220;Emilia Pérez&#8221;: +5,000</li>
</ul>
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
<ul>
<li>Kieran Culkin, &#8220;A Real Pain&#8221;: -3,500</li>
<li>Edward Norton, &#8220;A Complete Unknown&#8221;: +1,100</li>
<li>Yura Borisov, &#8220;Anora&#8221;: +1,800</li>
<li>Guy Pearce, &#8220;The Brutalist&#8221;: +2,000</li>
<li>Jeremy Strong, &#8220;The Apprentice&#8221;: +2,000</li>
</ul>
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
<ul>
<li>Zoe Saldaña, &#8220;Emilia Pérez&#8221;: -2,500</li>
<li>Ariana Grande,&nbsp;&#8220;Wicked&#8221;: +800</li>
<li>Felicity Jones, &#8220;The Brutalist&#8221;: +1,400</li>
<li>Isabella Rossellini, &#8220;Conclave&#8221;: +2,000</li>
<li>Monica Barbaro, &#8220;A Complete Unknown&#8221;: +2,500</li>
</ul>
Best Director
<ul>
<li>Sean Baker,&nbsp;&#8220;Anora&#8221;: -175</li>
<li>Brady Corbet, &#8220;The Brutalist&#8221;: +135</li>
<li>Jacques Audiard, &#8220;Emilia Pérez&#8221;: +2,000</li>
<li>James Mangold, &#8220;A Complete Unknown&#8221;: +2,500</li>
<li>Coralie Fargeat, &#8220;The Substance&#8221;: +2,500</li>
</ul>
Kalshi has betting odds on many of the top award categories, including Best Picture Odds listed below:
<ul>
<li>"Anora": 63%</li>
<li>"Conclave": 21%</li>
<li>"The Brutalist": 13%</li>
<li>"A Complete Unknown": 1%</li>
<li>"The Substance": 1%</li>
<li>"Emilia Pérez": 1%</li>
<li>"Dune: Part Two": &lt;1%</li>
<li>"Wicked": &lt;1%</li>
<li>"I'm Still Here": &lt;1%</li>
<li>"Nickel Boys": &lt;1%</li>
</ul>
<iframe loading="lazy" src="https://kalshi.com/external-widgets/events/KXOSCARPIC-25?color_scheme=light&#038;widget_size=medium&#038;variant=a&#038;ids=KXOSCARPIC-25-A&#038;ids=KXOSCARPIC-25-C&#038;ids=KXOSCARPIC-25-TB" width="488px" height="196px" style="border:0"></iframe>
Along with prediction markets for individual award categories, Kalshi also offers a betting market for "Anora" and "The Brutalist" head-to-head for more wins at this year's award show. At the time of writing, "Anora" and the films being tied both have 32% with "The Brutalist" having 22%.
Kalshi users can also predict how many awards many of the top films will take home.
<iframe loading="lazy" src="https://kalshi.com/external-widgets/events/KXOSCARCOUNTBRUTALIST?color_scheme=light&#038;widget_size=medium&#038;variant=a&#038;ids=KXOSCARCOUNTBRUTALIST-3&#038;ids=KXOSCARCOUNTBRUTALIST-4&#038;ids=KXOSCARCOUNTBRUTALIST-2" width="488px" height="196px" style="border:0"></iframe>
John Ewing from BetMGM broke down where the betting money stood as of Friday in a series of <a href="https://x.com/johnewing">tweets</a>.
<ul>
<li>Best Actress: 58% of the money on Madison at +220 odds</li>
<li>Best Actor: 53% of bets on Chalamet (+200), while 72% of the money is on Brody (-250)</li>
<li>Best Director: 43% of bets on Baker (-220)</li>
<li>Best Picture: 83% of money on "Anora" (-210)</li>
</ul>
Key Items to Watch: Emilia Pérez led the overall nominations with 13 nods, setting the record for the most nominations for a non-English language film.
Actress&nbsp;Karla Sofía Gascón&nbsp;also became the first openly trans actor ever nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the film. Gascón&nbsp;has become the subject of recent controversy over past tweets that were found.
The film helped Netflix rank first among studios with 16 total nominations in the main categories, ranking second was A24 with 14 followed by Universal with 13.
Netflix has received plenty of nominations at the Academy Awards including for Best Picture, but has yet to win this top prize.&nbsp;Apple Inc&nbsp;became the first streaming company to win Best Picture in 2022 with &#8220;CODA.&#8221;
Last year&#8217;s most nominated film &#8220;Oppenheimer&#8221;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/03/37600557/oppenheimer-scoops-the-96th-academy-awards-with-7-oscars-emma-stone-a-second-actress-award-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;took home seven wins&nbsp;</a>including Best Picture from its 13 nominations.
Ranking second in overall nominations were &#8220;Wicked&#8221; and &#8220;The Brutalist,&#8221; which both received 10 nominations. "The Brutalist" won Best Picture-Drama at the Golden Globes, but has recently come into controversy for its use of artificial intelligence in the film, as&nbsp;<a href="https://deadline.com/2025/01/the-brutalist-ai-brady-corbet-responds-1236260987/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported&nbsp;</a>by Deadline.
Another top storyline could be the fact that &#8220;The Apprentice,&#8221; a movie about President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;got nominated for two Academy Awards. Trump fought to get<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/12/42403697/donald-trump-tried-to-block-the-apprentice-from-movie-theaters-film-gets-2-golden-globe-nominations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;the movie banned</a>&nbsp;from theaters unsuccessfully.&nbsp;Sebastian Stan,&nbsp;who played Trump in the film, was nominated for Best Actor and&nbsp;Jeremy Strong, who plays Trump mentor&nbsp;Roy Cohn&nbsp;in the film, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/05/38946127/trump-movie-director-claps-back-at-criticism-lawsuit-threats-no-nice-metaphorical-way-to-de">Trump Movie Director Claps Back At Criticism, Lawsuit Threats: &#8216;No Nice Metaphorical Way To Deal With Fascism&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

Sports Betting

CMCSA

DKNG

Sony Group Corporation American Depositary Shares

SONY

2025 Academy Awards: How To Watch, Betting Odds, Will A Film About Donald Trump Win Any Awards?

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Walt Disney (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in DIS usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 33 extraordinary options activities for Walt Disney. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 48% leaning bullish and 39% bearish. Among these notable options, 2 are puts, totaling $63,655, and 31 are calls, amounting to $1,506,659.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $50.0 and $160.0 for Walt Disney, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Walt Disney's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Walt Disney's whale trades within a strike price range from $50.0 to $160.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Walt Disney Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740769252_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>DIS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$9.05</td>
<td>$8.95</td>
<td>$9.05</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$118.5K</td>
<td>6.0K</td>
<td align="right">229</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DIS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/18/26</td>
<td>$18.55</td>
<td>$18.1</td>
<td>$18.1</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$115.8K</td>
<td>195</td>
<td align="right">374</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DIS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$27.5</td>
<td>$25.65</td>
<td>$26.3</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$97.3K</td>
<td>457</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DIS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$23.8</td>
<td>$23.6</td>
<td>$23.66</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$94.6K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
<td align="right">40</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DIS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$27.15</td>
<td>$26.1</td>
<td>$26.4</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$92.4K</td>
<td>457</td>
<td align="right">72</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Walt Disney</h3>
Disney operates in three global business segments: entertainment, sports, and experiences. Entertainment and experiences both benefit from the firm's ownership of iconic franchises and characters. Entertainment includes the ABC broadcast network, several cable television networks, and the Disney+ and Hulu streaming services. Within the segment, Disney also engages in movie and television production and distribution, with content licensed to movie theaters, other content providers, or, increasingly, kept in-house for use on Disney's own streaming platform and television networks. The sports segment houses ESPN and the ESPN+ streaming service. Experiences contains Disney's theme parks and vacation destinations, and also benefits from merchandise licensing.
<h3>Walt Disney's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 4,019,838, with DIS's price up by 1.31%, positioned at $112.77.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 67 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Walt Disney</h3>
In the last month, 3 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $131.67.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Rosenblatt has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Walt Disney, which currently sits at a price target of $135. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Morgan Stanley continues to hold a Overweight rating for Walt Disney, targeting a price of $130. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Needham downgraded its action to Buy with a price target of $130. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Walt Disney options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Options

What the Options Market Tells Us About Walt Disney

Trading Ideas

FANG

CNBC Halftime Report Final Trades: Salesforce, TripAdvisor, The Walt Disney Company, Diamondback Energy

On Friday, FuboTV&nbsp;Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FUBO#NYSE">FUBO</a>)&nbsp;reported&nbsp;earnings for the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/02/b44039438/fubo-closed-2024-with-record-1-59b-revenue-1-676m-paid-subscribers-in-north-america" rel="noreferrer noopener">fourth quarter&nbsp;of 2024</a>. Revenue of the sports-first live TV streaming platform grew 8.1%&nbsp;year over year&nbsp;to $443.277 million, marginally missing the&nbsp;analyst&nbsp;consensus estimate of $445.798 million.
Adjusted EPS loss of 2 cents beat the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyst&nbsp;consensus estimate of 18 cents loss</a>.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/44011152/payoneer-q4-17-revenue-growth-22-5-billion-in-transactions-b2b-payments-up-37-revenue-target-surges" rel="noreferrer noopener">Payoneer Q4: 17% Revenue Growth, $22.5 Billion In Transactions, B2B Payments Up 37%, Revenue Target Surges</a>
The company&#8217;s adjusted EBITDA margin&nbsp;loss stood&nbsp;at (2.0)% versus (12.2)% Y/Y.&nbsp;
North America Streaming: Revenue grew 8% Y/Y to $433.8 million, as paid subscribers grew 6.2% Y/Y to 1.64 million. Average revenue per user (ARPU) rose 1.4% Y/Y to $87.90.
Rest of the World Streaming: Revenue was $9.4 million, a 12.1%&nbsp;Y/Y jump, with a paid subscriber decline of 10.9% Y/Y&nbsp;to 362,000. ARPU grew&nbsp;by 24.8% Y/Y&nbsp;to $8.50.
As of December 31, 2024, FuboTV held $167.6 million in cash and equivalents. Free Cash Flow in the fourth quarter was $16.3 million, an improvement of $22.1 million from a year ago.
Co-founder and CEO David Gandler highlighted the launch of standalone sports and entertainment skinny bundles, expanded availability of Multiview products to Roku devices, and launch of innovative and interactive connected TV ad formats for brand marketers as key accomplishments of 2024. He also emphasized a business combination agreement with The Walt Disney Company&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) Hulu + Live TV and plans to launch a new Sports &amp; Broadcasting service.
Outlook:&nbsp;FuboTV expects first-quarter North American revenue of $400 million–$410 million and ROW revenue of $7.5 million-$8.5 million versus consensus of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/guidance" rel="noreferrer noopener">$440.24 billion consensus estimate</a>.
Fubo expects 1.430 million to 1.460 million total subscribers by Q1, representing a 4% YoY decline at the midpoint. This outlook reflects the potential subscriber impact of the company&#8217;s recent non-renewal with TelevisaUnivision. It projects ROW 330,000 to 340,000 subscribers, representing a 16% YoY decline at the midpoint.
FuboTV&nbsp;stock surged 73% in the last 12 months as it topped the revenue and EPS consensus of at least seven out of the preceding eight quarters.
Price Action: FUBO stock traded lower by 10.80% at $3.14 premarket at last check on Friday.
Also Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/44008324/echostar-q4-3-97-billion-revenue-narrows-pay-tv-subscriber-losses-focuses-on-high-quality-users-wireless-growth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EchoStar Q4: $3.97 Billion Revenue, Narrows Pay-TV Subscriber Losses, Focuses On High-Quality Users, Wireless Growth</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

Guidance

Movers

FUBO

FuboTV Projects Subscriber Fall In Q1 After Q4 Topline Growth, Stock Tumbles

Longtime movie producer Kathleen Kennedy is planning to step down as head of Lucasfilm after 13 years, a move that could dramatically alter the future of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/star-wars">Star Wars franchise.</a>
What Happened: Kennedy's role at The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) and Lucasfilm has received a mixed reaction for Star Wars fans. 
After <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/07/33170350/if-you-invested-1-000-in-disney-stock-when-it-acquired-lucasfilm-think-indiana-jones-star-w">Disney acquired Lucasfilm</a> in 2012, Kennedy was tasked with leading the unit. During her leadership, the company released multiple Star Wars movies and shows, plus a fifth Indiana Jones movie.
Kennedy is now expected to step down by the end of the year, Puck News <a href="https://puck.news/kathleen-kennedy-to-step-down-at-lucasfilm/">reports</a>. A source close to Kennedy told <a href="https://variety.com/2025/film/news/star-wars-kathleen-kennedy-exit-lucasfilm-1236319794/">Variety </a>the report was "pure speculation" and said the Lucasfilm president has not decided if she will step down at the end of 2025 when her current contract ends.
Kennedy had planned to leave Lucasfilm last year before deciding to stay on for one more year, the report said.
Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau, who have worked on Disney+ shows that take place in the Star Wars universe, could be potential successors if they were interested in the role, according to the report.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/05/38629787/may-the-fourth-be-with-you-the-history-of-the-star-wars-holiday-new-shows-and-movies-coming">May The Fourth Be With You: The History Of The Star Wars Holiday, New Shows And Movies Coming Up</a>
Why It's Important: Kennedy's role with Disney could go down with mixed reviews despite "The Force Awakens" being the highest-grossing film in domestic box office history with nearly $1 billion. Her launching of several Disney+ shows — "The Mandalorian," "The Book of Boba Fett," "Ahsoka" and more — cements her legacy.
In recent years, Star Wars fans have been less impressed. There have been no theatrical releases for Star Wars since 2019. "The Rise of Skywalker," the last feature-length film in the series, grossed $515.2 million domestically and $1.07 billion worldwide. The 2018 release "Solo: A Star Wars Story" grossed $213.8 million domestically and $392.9 million worldwide. The film is said to be the first Star Wars movie to ever lose money during a theatrical run, per Variety.
"Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," which grossed $383 million globally, was also a money loser for the studio.
Kennedy was also behind some TV show misses. Disney canceled "The Acolyte," for example, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/08/40470695/disney-cancels-star-wars-show-the-force-wasnt-strong-with-viewership-fan-ratings">after one season.</a>
Several directors have been attached to new Star Wars films and TV shows in recent years. However, several projects failed to gain traction outside of "The Mandalorian and Grogu," which is currently set for a May 22, 2026 theatrical release. The film will bring the popular character known as Baby Yoda to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/01/36583647/baby-yoda-coming-to-big-screen-can-fan-favorite-star-wars-character-help-disneys-box-office">big screens next year.</a>
Last year, Elon Musk <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39450795/elon-musk-slams-lucasfilm-president-kathleen-kennedy-more-deadly-than-the-death-star">criticized Kennedy for being</a> "more deadly than the Death Star." He also labeled her a "franchise killer" previously.
The comments come after recent box office misses. Musk says Kennedy has pushed forward a narrative of more progressive themes and female protagonists in Star Wars storylines. He also previously said Kennedy was "super bigoted against men."
On Tuesday, Musk <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1894415222359953450">replied </a>to a clip of a "South Park" sketch mocking Kennedy's push to put females and LGBTQ+ characters in movies and TV shows with a bullseye emoji.
Price Action: Disney stock trades at $109.80 Tuesday versus a 52-week trading range of $83.91 to $123.74. Disney stock is up 2% over the last year.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/25/02/43864221/elizabeth-warren-slams-disney-fubo-deal-in-doj-letter-another-data-point-in-history-of-anticompetitive-behavior">Elizabeth Warren Slams Disney, Fubo Deal In DOJ Letter: &#8216;Another Data Point In History Of Anticompetitive Behavior&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy To Step Down: How Move Could Impact Star Wars Franchise, Disney Stock

The Walt Disney Company Announces It Will Participate In A Question-And-Answer Session At The Morgan Stanley Technology, Media, And Telecom Conference On Tuesday, March 4, 2025 At ~6:20 P.M. ET/ 3:20 P.M. PT

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Communication Services sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>T</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/07/25</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
<td>$38.1K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
<td>6.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GOOGL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>02/28/25</td>
<td>$175.00</td>
<td>$33.5K</td>
<td>356</td>
<td>4.9K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RBLX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$126.7K</td>
<td>3.9K</td>
<td>4.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DIS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$101.0K</td>
<td>15.6K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BIDU</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$35.7K</td>
<td>10.9K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ASTS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$95.9K</td>
<td>7.6K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NFLX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/28/25</td>
<td>$985.00</td>
<td>$34.8K</td>
<td>713</td>
<td>713</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TMUS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$270.00</td>
<td>$85.5K</td>
<td>238</td>
<td>174</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>META</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/28/25</td>
<td>$655.00</td>
<td>$26.3K</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>134</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TTD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$62.5K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td>94</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding T (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/T#NYSE">T</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 10 day(s) on March 7, 2025. Parties traded 6246 contract(s) at a $25.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 43 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $38.1K, with a price of $6.0 per contract. There were 1207 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 6451 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For GOOGL (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be neutral, expiring in 3 day(s) on February 28, 2025. This event was a transfer of 100 contract(s) at a $175.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $33.5K, with a price of $335.0 per contract. There were 356 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4921 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For RBLX (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RBLX#NYSE">RBLX</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 206 day(s) on September 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 140 contract(s) at a $60.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 31 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $126.7K, with a price of $905.0 per contract. There were 3923 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4573 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For DIS (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 24 day(s) on March 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 1000 contract(s) at a $115.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $101.0K, with a price of $101.0 per contract. There were 15664 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1600 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For BIDU (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIDU#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 24 day(s) on March 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 250 contract(s) at a $100.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $35.7K, with a price of $143.0 per contract. There were 10920 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1163 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ASTS (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASTS#NASDAQ">ASTS</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 325 day(s) on January 16, 2026. This event was a transfer of 200 contract(s) at a $50.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 35 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $95.9K, with a price of $476.0 per contract. There were 7658 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1138 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For NFLX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 3 day(s) on February 28, 2025. This event was a transfer of 15 contract(s) at a $985.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 14 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $34.8K, with a price of $2325.0 per contract. There were 713 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 713 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding TMUS (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMUS#NASDAQ">TMUS</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 51 day(s) on April 17, 2025. Parties traded 93 contract(s) at a $270.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $85.5K, with a price of $920.0 per contract. There were 238 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 174 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding META (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 31 day(s) on March 28, 2025. Parties traded 10 contract(s) at a $655.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $26.3K, with a price of $2630.0 per contract. There were 11 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 134 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For TTD (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TTD#NASDAQ">TTD</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 325 day(s) on January 16, 2026. This event was a transfer of 50 contract(s) at a $80.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $62.5K, with a price of $1250.0 per contract. There were 1305 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 94 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more news on unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

ASTS

BIDU

TMUS

10 Communication Services Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

Disney CEO Bob Iger recently underscored the significance of hiring employees who exhibit &#8216;genuine decency&#8217;, a characteristic he feels is frequently undervalued in recruitment.
What Happened:&nbsp;Iger advocates for the prioritization of &#8216;genuine decency&#8217; in the hiring process. Iger contends that this trait is often overlooked by hiring managers.
In&nbsp;his book published in 2019, &#8220;The Ride&nbsp;of A Lifetime: Lessons Learned&nbsp;from 15 Years as CEO&nbsp;of the Walt Disney Company,&#8221; Iger wrote,&nbsp;&#8220;Genuine decency — an instinct&nbsp;for fairness and openness and&nbsp;mutual respect — is a&nbsp;rarer commodity in business than&nbsp;it should be, and you&nbsp;should look for it in&nbsp;the people you hire and&nbsp;nurture it in the people&nbsp;who work for you.&#8221;
"When hiring, try to surround yourself with people who are&nbsp;good&nbsp;in addition to being good at what they do," Iger wrote and as quoted <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/29/disney-ceo-bob-iger-bosses-should-hire-genuinely-decent-people-more-often.html">by </a>CNBC. 
While acknowledging the importance of skills and experience, Iger asserts that character is equally crucial in fostering a positive workplace culture. He further emphasized that leaders should embody the values of integrity, decency, and honesty, as they are representative of the company&#8217;s values.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41703723/mark-cubans-million-dollar-advice-to-teens-if-i-were-16-again-id-start-this-lucrative-side-hustle">Mark Cuban&#8217;s Million-Dollar Advice To Teens: &#8216;If I Were 16 Again, I&#8217;d Start This Lucrative Side Hustle&#8217;</a>
&#8220;What people think of you&nbsp;is what they&#8217;ll think of&nbsp;your company,&#8221; Iger wrote, underlining the importance of a leader&#8217;s reputation in shaping the company&#8217;s image.
"You can be the head of a seven-person organization or a quarter-million person organization, the same truth holds. What people think of you is what they'll think of your company," he wrote in the book. 
Why It Matters: Iger&#8217;s comments come at a time when companies are increasingly being scrutinized for their corporate culture and values. 
The emphasis on &#8216;genuine decency&#8217; not only reflects the changing dynamics of the workplace but also underscores the need for companies to align their values with those of their employees. 
This alignment is becoming increasingly important as workers are more likely to remain loyal to companies that share their values, thereby reducing turnover and increasing productivity.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/08/33634432/raising-ceos-the-unconventional-parenting-secret-behind-2-successful-tech-startups">Raising CEOs: The Unconventional Parenting Secret Behind 2 Successful Startup Founders</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Success Stories

Disney CEO Reveals the One Quality Leaders Should Prioritize, and Why It's So Rare

Walt Disney Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/walt-disney-world" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walt&nbsp;Disney&nbsp;Studios</a> tapped Daria Cercek as president of its theatrical live-action division. Cercek will report to David Greenbaum, president of Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios, the Variety <a target="_blank" href="https://variety.com/2025/film/news/disney-live-action-paramount-daria-cercek-1236313183/" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
Cercek is joining Disney from Paramount Global (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PARA#NASDAQ">PARA</a>), where she served as co-president of the studio&#8217;s motion picture group.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43879488/taiwan-semiconductor-too-big-for-the-index-regulator-considers-lifting-weight-cap" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taiwan Semiconductor Too Big For The Index, Regulator Considers Lifting Weight Cap</a>
Disney restructured its live-action division in February 2024. Sean Bailey departed after 15 years, and Greenbaum, Searchlight&#8217;s former chief, became the head of Live Action and 20th Century Studios. Disney merged two film divisions, live action, and 20th Century Studios.
Steve Asbell will continue to lead 20th Century Studios, and Vanessa Morrison will continue to lead Disney&#8217;s live-action projects for streaming.
Disney passed the $2 billion <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42603589/disney-hits-2-billion-domestic-box-office-wins-top-honors-global-box-office-2025-to-grow-8-to-33b-analyst-says" rel="noreferrer noopener">domestic box office</a> milestone in 2024, backed by &#8220;Inside Out 2,&#8221; &#8220;Deadpool &amp; Wolverine&#8221; and &#8220;Moana 2.&#8221;
Gower Street Analytics&#8217;&nbsp;Dimitrios Mitsinikos expects the domestic box office to top $10 billion and reach pre-pandemic norms, backed by the Avatar, Mission: Impossible, Jurassic World, John Wick, Zootopia, Superman, and Wicked film franchises.
CNBC&#8217;s Jim Cramer&nbsp;endorsed Disney stock, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43805108/jim-cramer-sees-terrific-buying-opportunity-in-disney-stock-after-strong-quarter-slips-under-the-radar" rel="noreferrer noopener">citing the recent dip</a> as an attractive entry point for investors despite strong fundamentals.
Disney&#8217;s Captain America: Brave New World <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/02/43789321/disney-latest-captain-america-film-opens-with-100m-can-marvel-magic-happen-three-times-in-2025" rel="noreferrer noopener">grossed $100 million</a> domestically and $92.4 million in international markets, for a total of $192.4 million during the President&#8217;s Day holiday weekend.
Disney reported <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43494650/disney-q1-earnings-powered-by-moana-2-and-mufasa-theme-parks-loses-streaming-subscribers" rel="noreferrer noopener">fiscal first-quarter&nbsp;2025</a> revenue growth of 5% to $24.70 billion, beating the&nbsp;analyst estimate of $24.62 billion. Adjusted EPS of $1.76 beat the&nbsp;consensus estimate of $1.45.
Disney ended the quarter with 178 million Disney+ Core and Hulu subscriptions and 125 million Disney+ Core paid subscribers.
Price Actions: DIS stock is up 0.85% at $111.50 at&nbsp;the last check on Friday.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43877678/vipshop-stock-jumps-after-q4-earnings-beat-ceo-highlights-apparel-growth-and-discounted-offerings-sees-up-to-5-revenue-decline-in-q1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vipshop Stock Jumps After Q4 Earnings Beat, CEO Highlights Apparel Growth And Discounted Offerings, Sees Up To 5% Revenue Decline In Q1</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock

Tech

Media

PARA

Disney Appoints Former Paramount Exec Daria Cercek to Lead Live-Action Films, Reshaping Studio Leadership

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is targeting Walt Disney Company's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) proposed tie-up with FuboTV (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FUBO#NYSE">FUBO</a>) that could change <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/streaming">the streaming sector.</a>
What Happened: In a letter to the Department of Justice, Warren asks for close scrutiny<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42816545/fubotv-and-disney-near-merger-to-create-second-largest-digital-tv-provider-shares-soar-report"> on the deal </a>due to antitrust concerns and fear that consumers will end up paying more for sports streaming content in the long run.
"This proposed acquisition raises significant concerns under antitrust law, would give Disney increased market power and incentives to increase costs for viewers, and should be regarded as another data point in Disney's history of anticompetitive behavior," Warren said in the letter.
Warren highlighted that Disney's deal with Fubo resolves a previous lawsuit Fubo filed against Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery over a joint venture called Venu Sports. Warren previously wrote the DOJ on Venu Sports.
"Disney's proposed acquisition of Fubo appears to allow Disney to simultaneously circumvent the lawsuit while gobbling up a competitor."
Warren said Disney is attempting to "purchase its way around antitrust law."
With the tie-up with Fubo, Disney would dominate the sports streaming market, Warren said.
The Senator said Disney's acquisition will decrease competition and could violate antitrust law.
"Disney has proposed a plan to acquire its competitor, and, in the process become an even more powerful force in an already highly-concentrated market."
Warren said Disney has long forced companies to carry less desirable content in order to get access to the highly coveted ESPN sports network. This practice has led to consumers paying more for streaming and cable content.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/43169631/disney-analyst-sees-flat-disney-growth-in-q1-after-netflixs-record-quarter-but-remains-bullish">Disney Analyst Sees Flat Disney+ Growth In Q1 After Netflix&#8217;s Record Quarter, But Remains Bullish</a>
Why It's Important: Warren's letter comes after Disney previously announced it would merge Hulu + Live TV with Fubo and own 70% of the combined company. The deal also ended the pending launch of Venu Sports and saw Fubo and Disney end litigation.
News of Warren's letter to the DOJ comes as a judge declined to dismiss a lawsuit against Disney by investors, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
The investor lawsuit centers on past claims made by former Disney CEO Bob Chapek about the Disney+ streaming platform. Chapek allegedly hid streaming costs and overstated the ability for the unit to grow subscribers and become profitable.
Among the items in the lawsuit, filed in 2023, is Disney&#8217;s plan to grow its Disney+ subscriber total to 230 million by 2024. The company's total stood at 124.6 million Disney+ core subscribers as of December 2024.
The lawsuit also targets Disney's reorganization plans and changes to its original content and the shortened theatrical window for movies to hit streaming platforms.
Bob Iger replaced Chapek as CEO in November 2022. Iger cut streaming content spending and withdrew subscriber guidance when he took over.
The class action lawsuit targets the period of December 2020 to May 2023 when Disney stock dropped by around 55%.  
With news of the case moving forward, along with Warren's letter to the Department of Justice, Disney may see negative headlines in the coming months.
Price Action: Disney stock is down 1.3% to $109.87 on Thursday versus a 52-week trading range of $83.91 to $123.74. Disney stock is up 0.4% over the last year.
Fubo stock is down 1.8% to $3.79 on Thursday versus a 52-week trading range of $1.10 to $6.45. Fubo stock is up 90% over the last year.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/42857294/fubo-gets-fairy-tale-outcome-analyst-says-disney-deal-lowers-risks-overhang-on-stock">Fubo Gets &#8216;Fairy Tale Outcome&#8217;: Analyst Says Disney Deal Lowers Risks, Overhang On Stock</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Politics

Legal

Sports

Elizabeth Warren Slams Disney, Fubo Deal In DOJ Letter: 'Another Data Point In History Of Anticompetitive Behavior'

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Walt Disney (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in DIS usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 12 extraordinary options activities for Walt Disney. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 66% leaning bullish and 25% bearish. Among these notable options, 3 are puts, totaling $109,100, and 9 are calls, amounting to $407,377.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $85.0 and $130.0 for Walt Disney, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Walt Disney's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Walt Disney's whale trades within a strike price range from $85.0 to $130.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Walt Disney 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740065439_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>DIS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$3.1</td>
<td>$3.0</td>
<td>$3.05</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$73.2K</td>
<td>7.3K</td>
<td align="right">558</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DIS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/18/26</td>
<td>$28.05</td>
<td>$27.85</td>
<td>$27.85</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$61.2K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DIS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$3.05</td>
<td>$3.05</td>
<td>$3.05</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$49.1K</td>
<td>7.3K</td>
<td align="right">261</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DIS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$3.9</td>
<td>$3.8</td>
<td>$3.8</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
<td>$49.0K</td>
<td>867</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DIS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$3.1</td>
<td>$3.0</td>
<td>$3.05</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$41.4K</td>
<td>7.3K</td>
<td align="right">261</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Walt Disney</h3>
Disney operates in three global business segments: entertainment, sports, and experiences. Entertainment and experiences both benefit from the firm's ownership of iconic franchises and characters. Entertainment includes the ABC broadcast network, several cable television networks, and the Disney+ and Hulu streaming services. Within the segment, Disney also engages in movie and television production and distribution, with content licensed to movie theaters, other content providers, or, increasingly, kept in-house for use on Disney's own streaming platform and television networks. The sports segment houses ESPN and the ESPN+ streaming service. Experiences contains Disney's theme parks and vacation destinations, and also benefits from merchandise licensing.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Walt Disney</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 1,065,563, the price of DIS is down by -0.62%, reaching $110.67.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 75 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Walt Disney</h3>
4 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $130.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Rosenblatt keeps a Buy rating on Walt Disney with a target price of $135. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Citigroup has revised its rating downward to Buy, adjusting the price target to $125. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Needham downgraded its action to Buy with a price target of $130. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Morgan Stanley continues to hold a Overweight rating for Walt Disney, targeting a price of $130. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Walt Disney with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Decoding Walt Disney's Options Activity: What's the Big Picture?

<a href="https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/disney-fubo-antitrust-elizabeth-warren-deal-1236313480/">https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/disney-fubo-antitrust-elizabeth-warren-deal-1236313480/</a>
&nbsp;
Sen. Elizabeth Warren has urged the Justice Department to carefully scrutinize <a href="https://variety.com/t/disney/">Disney</a>‘s deal to acquire a controlling stake in Fubo, saying the consolidation presents antitrust concerns.
Disney <a href="https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/disney-hulu-live-tv-fubo-merger-ending-venu-lawsuit-1236266843/">announced</a> in January that it would merge its Hulu + Live TV service with Fubo and take 70% ownership of the combined company. A few days later, Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery dropped their plans to launch Venu Sports, a combined streaming service.
In a <a href="https://www.warren.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/warren_letter_to_doj_antitrust_on_disney_fubo_acquisition.pdf">letter to the DOJ's Antitrust Division</a>, Warren argued that the Disney-Fubo deal allows the company to "gobble up a competitor" and could lead to higher prices.

"Disney-Fubo Deal Raises Antitrust Concerns, Senator Says" - Variety

Streaming giant Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) could have its eyes on more National Football League games after the successful debut of the company's Christmas Day games that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/24/12/42711504/lebron-james-vs-nfl-nba-star-says-christmas-is-our-day-2024-ratings-paint-a-different-picture">broke streaming records.</a>
What Happened: For years, Netflix has resisted calls to push further into sports rights, opting instead to do one-off live events or what it called<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/07/33308114/netflix-doesnt-want-to-live-sports-and-chill-were-happy-with-sports-adjacent-programming-ce"> "sports adjacent" content.</a>
The company's sports documentaries and reality series like "Drive to Survive" have helped leagues and athletes get more attention with a surge in viewership and increased fans for Liberty Formula One (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FWONA#NASDAQ">FWONA</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FWONK#NASDAQ">FWONK</a>) owned Formula 1 racing league often <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/21/09/23071390/could-a-netflix-formula-one-streaming-partnership-reach-the-finish-line">credited to Netflix.</a>
Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria was asked about the pursuit of more NFL games during an appearance on "The Town" podcast.
"I definitely want the Sunday (afternoon) games," Bajaria said, as reported by <a href="https://frontofficesports.com/netflix-shifts-strategy-pursuing-nfl-sunday-rights/">FrontOfficeSports</a>.
The answer came when asked which NFL media rights Netflix would be interested in. Netflix later acknowledged that the comments were informal ones made by Bajaria and not a new content strategy shift.
As reported by FrontOfficeSports, the current Sunday afternoon NFL games are part of media rights packages with CBS, which is owned by Paramount Global (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PARA#NASDAQ">PARA</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PARAA#NASDAQ">PARAA</a>) and Fox, which is owned by Fox Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FOX#NASDAQ">FOX</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FOXA#NASDAQ">FOXA</a>).
Those deals are set to expire after the 2033 NFL season, but the NFL has an opt-out clause that could see it end the deals early after the 2029 season. A deal with The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) for "Monday Night Football" ends after the 2030 season.
Given strong viewership and demand from media companies to land NFL content, the league could choose to end the deals early.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43700767/netflix-stock-attractive-at-all-time-highs-for-analyst-virtuous-circle-of-strong-subscriber-growth-more-revenue-and-growing-profit">Netflix Stock Attractive At All-Time Highs For Analyst: &#8216;Virtuous Circle Of Strong Subscriber Growth, More Revenue, And Growing Profit&#8217;</a>
Why It's Important: While Bajaria's comments were in passing and not an official announcement, they signal interest in adding more NFL content.
Netflix is currently on a three-year deal with the NFL that gets the streaming company at least one game every Christmas Day.
In 2024, Netflix <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/24/12/42711504/lebron-james-vs-nfl-nba-star-says-christmas-is-our-day-2024-ratings-paint-a-different-picture">streamed two games</a> on Christmas with the games having averages of 24.3 million viewers (Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans) and 24.1 million viewers (Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers).
Those games set new NFL streaming records for the regular season, surpassing even the 23.0 million viewers of Peacock's exclusive streaming game during the 2023 NFL playoffs.
Prime Video, which is the streaming platform owned by Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), partnered with the NFL for the rights to "Thursday Night Football." Amazon's weekly broadcast has helped boost the company's streaming subscribers and advertising revenue.
"Thursday Night Football" games averaged 13.2 million viewers during the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/25/01/43013529/amazon-scores-record-with-steelers-ravens-nfl-playoffs-stream-how-game-stacks-up-with-other-media-streamers"> 2024 NFL season</a>, up 11% year-over-year.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has often shied away from saying the company wants full sports seasons. In January, he told investors that the economics didn't work and the "live events business" was where the company wanted to be.
Previously, Sarandos said the company wasn't "anti-sports," but rather "pro-profit."
The Netflix Christmas Day games saw huge advertising demand and likely broke even on revenue for the company, not counting the additional subscribers the company gained along the way.
Over the past year, Netflix has launched a live boxing event headlined by Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, had two NFL games on Christmas and launched its new partnership with WWE, which is a unit of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TKO#NYSE">TKO</a>).
Netflix <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/24/12/42628116/netflix-adds-womens-world-cup-media-rights-from-football-to-futbol-streamer-all-in-on-live-sports">landed the U.S. rights </a>to the Women's World Cup in 2027 and 2031. The company is also said<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43570574/netflix-eyes-formula-one-us-broadcast-rights-starting-in-2026-report"> to be exploring</a> a bid for the U.S. rights to Formula 1. ESPN has had the rights to Formula 1 since 2018 and its deal expires after the 2025 season.
While Netflix previously avoided live sports and full seasons, its new strategy seems focused on acquiring as much sports content as possible to drive advertising and subscriber revenue.
Netflix ended<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/01/43114866/netflix-q4-earnings-record-subscribers-nfl-squid-game-push-past-highest-expectations"> the fourth quarter</a> with 301.63 million global paid subscribers, adding a record 18.91 million in the quarter. The company will no longer break out subscriber figures, which means more attention will be placed on revenue and the company's content.
NFLX Price Action: Netflix stock was down 0.1% to $1,033.66 on Wednesday, compared to a 52-week trading range of $542.01 to $1,064.50. However, Netflix stock has increased 79% over the last year.
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Netflix Wants More NFL Games After Christmas Day Success: Could League Spark Bidding War With CBS, Fox?

Jim Cramer is advocating for The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) stock, suggesting the entertainment giant&#8217;s recent dip has created an attractive entry point for investors despite strong fundamentals.
What Happened: &#8220;Disney reported an excellent quarter a couple weeks ago, but didn&#8217;t get any credit for it,&#8221; CNBC&#8217;s Cramer <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/18/disney-stock-is-a-bargain-on-the-dip-jim-cramer-says.html">said</a> on Tuesday, noting that management&#8217;s conservative approach to full-year guidance contributed to the stock&#8217;s recent weakness. 
&#8220;The dip here has created a terrific buying opportunity for you, with the stock now trading at bargain levels relative to the kind of valuation it used to get,&#8221; Cramer said. 
The entertainment giant&#8217;s latest earnings report exceeded both revenue and profit expectations, though concerns emerged over Disney+ subscriber losses and unchanged guidance. CFO Hugh Johnston cited a &#8220;rapidly evolving macro environment&#8221; in defending the company&#8217;s cautious outlook.
Cramer, whose CNBC Investing Club&#8217;s Charitable Trust has held Disney since 2018, pointed to several encouraging developments. The company&#8217;s direct-to-consumer segment achieved profitability, boosted by Hulu&#8217;s performance. Additionally, Disney&#8217;s parks and cruise division demonstrated resilience despite weather-related challenges, while its sports segment outperformed expectations ahead of a new ESPN platform launch.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43802574/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-slide-further-while-stocks-rally-analyst-spots-a-good-sign-for-eths-mid-term-and-long-term-price-outlooks">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Slide As Stocks Rally: Analyst Spots &#8216;Good Sign&#8217; For ETH&#8217;s Mid-Term And Long-Term Price Outlooks</a>
Why It Matters: The bullish stance comes as Disney&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/02/43789321/disney-latest-captain-america-film-opens-with-100m-can-marvel-magic-happen-three-times-in-2025">film division maintains momentum</a>, with &#8220;Captain America: Brave New World&#8221; generating $192.4 million globally in its opening weekend. This performance suggests continued strength in Disney&#8217;s content pipeline, though the film&#8217;s mixed critical reception (50% on Rotten Tomatoes) raises questions about long-term box office potential.
&#8220;After looking into the reasons why people sold Disney after the quarter, I&#8217;ve got to tell you. I think the bear case: thin,&#8221; Cramer concluded, reinforcing his optimistic outlook on the stock&#8217;s prospects.
Recent analyst coverage remains largely positive, with Rosenblatt, Morgan Stanley, and Needham assigning an average price target of $131.67 in February, implying nearly 20% upside potential.
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/18232005/Screenshot-2025-02-19-at-9.49.26%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-787977" style="width:726px;height:auto" /></figure>
Price Action: Disney stock closed on Tuesday at $109.56, well below the consensus analyst price target of $123.32. The stock has seen an all-time high of $197.16 in March 2021, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
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Image Via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Jim Cramer Sees 'Terrific Buying Opportunity' In Disney Stock After Strong Quarter Slips Under The Radar

Less than two weeks after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43494650/disney-q1-earnings-powered-by-moana-2-and-mufasa-theme-parks-loses-streaming-subscribers">reporting quarterly financials,</a> Walt Disney Company's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) stock is back in the spotlight with its latest Marvel Cinematic Universe film hitting theaters.
What Happened: "Captain America: Brave New World" grossed $100 million domestically and $92.4 million in international markets for a $192.4 million global tally during the President's Day holiday weekend, as reported by <a href="https://variety.com/2025/film/box-office/captain-america-brave-new-world-box-office-staying-power-marvel-cinematic-universe-1236310075/">Variety</a>.
The box office milestone adds excitement to the expanding slate of content <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/07/40021651/disneys-magical-marvel-weekend-robert-downey-jr-russo-brothers-steal-comic-con-spotlight-as">from the company</a>, but is nothing new for a Marvel Cinematic Universe film and neither is opening number one at the box office. 
The big question for Disney will be if the film has staying power and can start a streak of successful Marvel movies in 2025.
The film is the fourth in the Captain America series, while the character has also played a pivotal role in Avengers films. Here is the box office <a href="https://www.boxofficemojo.com/">history </a>of the past Captain America movies.
<ul>
<li>"Captain America: The First Avenger" (2011): $65.1 million domestic opening, $176.7 million domestic, $370.6 million global</li>
<li>"Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (2014): $95.0 million domestic opening, $259.8 million domestic, $714.4 million global</li>
<li>"Captain America: Civil War" (2016): $179.1 million domestic opening, $408.1 million domestic, $1.16 billion global</li>
</ul>
&#8220;Brave New World" will likely rank second for domestic box office when it&#8217;s finished; "Civil War" acted more like an Avengers ensemble film and had a huge opening to kick things off.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/01/43169631/disney-analyst-sees-flat-disney-growth-in-q1-after-netflixs-record-quarter-but-remains-bullish">Disney Analyst Sees Flat Disney+ Growth In Q1 After Netflix&#8217;s Record Quarter, But Remains Bullish</a>
Why It's Important: The latest Marvel film has a 50% critic <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/captain_america_brave_new_world">rating </a>on Rotten Tomatoes and an 80% audience score. On <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14513804/">IMDb</a>, the film has a 6.1 rating (out of 10). That&#8217;s among the lower ratings for a Marvel film.
Movie theater companies like AMC Entertainment Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMC#NYSE">AMC</a>) and Cinemark Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNK#NYSE">CNK</a>) will be hoping, like Disney, that the film has staying power at the box office and sees a lower drop-off than normal for a Marvel film in its second weekend.
"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" opened with $118.4 million domestically in 2023 and saw a 47% drop in its second weekend, which was one of the smaller drops for superhero films in recent years. The film went on to gross $359 million domestically and $845.6 million globally.
The third Guardians film could also be comparable to the fourth Captain America thanks to both 2023 and 2025 having three Marvel movies on the release schedule.
Guardians was the second movie released by Disney in 2023 and went on to be the highest-grossing of the three. Here were the three films:
<ul>
<li>"Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania": $106.1 million domestic opening, $214.5 million domestic, $476.1 million global</li>
<li>"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3": $118.4 million domestic opening, $359.0 million domestic, $845.6 million global</li>
<li>"The Marvels": $46.1 million domestic opening, $84.5 million domestic, $206.1 million global</li>
</ul>
In total, the three films raked in $658.0 million in domestic box office revenue and $1.53 billion globally. The Guardians film enjoyed a stronghold in theaters. The Ant-Man sequel, however, saw a 70% drop in domestic box office in its second weekend with poor reviews. "The Marvels" went on to be Disney's biggest Marvel Cinematic Universe flop.
While other movie studios would be excited with those overall figures, it's important to remember that Disney varies the number of Marvel films released each year. Last year, the company had only one Marvel release: "Deadpool &amp; Wolverine." That film broke records and grossed $636.7 million domestically and $1.34 billion worldwide. It nearly eclipsed the total of the three films released in 2023 combined.
Disney, its shareholders and movie theater companies will be hoping Marvel has three blockbuster films in 2025. "Thunderbolts" and "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" will open on May 2 and July 25, respectively.
DIS Price Action: Disney stock is down 1% to $109.21 on Tuesday versus a 52-week trading range of $83.91 to $123.74. Disney stock is down 0.3% over the past year.
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Image: Shutterstock

Disney's Latest 'Captain America' Film Opens With $100M: Can Marvel Magic Happen Three Times In 2025?

The launch of Bath &amp; Body Works Inc's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBWI#NYSE">BBWI</a>) new collaboration with Walt Disney Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) may lead to an inflection on both revenues and profits in fiscal 2025, according to JPMorgan.
The Bath &amp; Body Works Analyst: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/586bcbd9351b9b0001ab738c/matthew-boss">Analyst Matthew Boss</a> upgraded the rating for Bath &amp; Body Works from Neutral to Overweight, while raising the price target from $41 to $47.
The Bath &amp; Body Works Thesis: The company has launched a Disney Princess-inspired collection in stores and online, which includes 85 products spread across all categories, Boss said in the upgrade note.
Check out <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">other analyst stock ratings</a>.
The 85-piece product collection marks the largest collaboration in Bath &amp; Body Works' history and is 3X the size of the Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:&nbsp;NFLX) collaborations throughout 2024, the analyst stated.
The Disney collaboration also spans "the widest price range to date," he added.
This could help the company generate 3% revenue growth in fiscal 2025, compared to the trailing three-year contraction of 2.5%, Boss commented.
Other drivers of revenue growth include management's guidance of low-single-digit square footage growth into 2025 and the combination of "product innovation, marketing, and technology collectively working together to support growth within the "core" categories of Home Fragrance, Body Care, and Hand Soaps/Sanitizers forecasted to grow +3% at an industry level the next 4 years," he further wrote.
Price Action: Shares of Bath &amp; Body Workshad risen by7.21% to $39.10 at the time of publication on Tuesday.
Read More: 
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Image: Shutterstock

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