The Walt Disney Company is an American family entertainment and media enterprise with a global reach. Through its subsidiaries, Disney runs several cable media networks. It was founded on October 16, 1923, in Los Angeles by brothers Walt and Roy Disney. The Walt Disney stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker DIS. The company went public on November 2, 1957.
The company’s Media Networks unit operates domestic cable networks under the Disney, ESPN, Freeform, FX, National Geographic brands, and television broadcast network under the ABC brand, alongside eight domestic television stations.
This segment is also involved in television production and distribution. Its Parks, Experiences and Products unit runs theme parks and resorts, such as Walt Disney World Resort in Florida; Disneyland Resort in California; Disneyland Paris; Hong Kong Disneyland Resort; and Shanghai Disney Resort; Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, National Geographic Expeditions, and Adventures by Disney and Aulani, a Disney resort and spa in Hawaii.
Disney’s Studio Entertainment segment produces and distributes motion pictures under the Walt Disney Pictures, Twentieth Century Studios, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Pixar, Searchlight Pictures, and Blue Sky Studios banners; develops, produces, and licenses live entertainment events; produces and distributes music; and provides post-production services through Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound.
Its Direct-To-Consumer & International segment operates international television networks and channels comprising Disney, ESPN, Fox, National Geographic, and Star; direct-to-consumer videos streaming services consisting of Disney+/Disney+Hotstar, ESPN+, and Hulu;
Walt Disney’s main competitors
- Time Warner
- Netflix
- Sony
- Comcast
- Lions Gate
Walt Disney key milestones
In April 2011, Disney officially began working on the Shanghai Disney Resort. The construction was at the cost of $4.4 billion, and it opened on June 16, 2016.
In 2018, Disney was ranked the media brand with the highest value at $32.6 billion.
In 2019, as part of the preparation to launch Disney+, Disney acquired 21st Century Fox for $71.3 billion. The largest acquisition by the company in history.
Disney Frequently Asked Questions
Does Walt Disney Co. pay dividends?
Disney pays dividends twice a year. However, in 2020 it suspended dividend payment due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
How many times have Disney split its shares?
Since its IPO, the company split its shares another six times. The first split was in 1967, followed by 1971,1973, 1986, 1992, and 1998. April 25.
Why did Disney fail to acquire Twitter?
In September 2016, Disney considered purchasing Twitter, but they dropped out partly due to concerns over abuse and harassment on the service.
