Disney Leads the Pack at the Emmys: A Deep Dive into the Entertainment Giant's Creative Resurgence
By Dawn Chmielewski and Lisa Richwine
LOS ANGELES (Multibagger) - The Emmy Awards, television's highest honors, have traditionally been a battleground for prestige-TV titans HBO and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX). This year, however, Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) is set to dominate the scene.
Under the strategic leadership of Dana Walden, a veteran television executive, Disney has surged to the forefront. The entertainment giant boasts three of the most-nominated series of the year – "Shogun," "The Bear," and "Only Murders in the Building."
Disney's Impressive Emmy Haul
As we approach Sunday’s Emmy ceremony, which will be broadcast live on Disney-owned ABC, Disney already has a significant edge. The company clinched 51 awards at last weekend's Creative Arts Emmys, an all-time high for Disney. Notably, "Shogun," an FX political thriller set in feudal Japan, secured 14 awards and is the frontrunner for the best drama trophy.
FX's "The Bear," a dark comedy about a family-owned sandwich shop aspiring for Michelin (EPA: MICP) star excellence, is tipped to win best comedy. The show earned 23 nominations – a record for a comedy series.
The Creative Renaissance at Disney
Disney's 183 Emmy nominations this year signify a creative renaissance for the company, both in living rooms and at the box office. This summer, Disney films like Pixar Animation's "Inside Out 2" and Marvel's "Deadpool & Wolverine" shattered box office records.
Disney CEO Bob Iger laid the groundwork for this revival with the 2019 acquisition of most of Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox. The $71 billion purchase brought skilled television executives, including Walden and John Landgraf, head of FX Networks, into Disney’s fold. These leaders are renowned for producing critically acclaimed, groundbreaking shows.
The Role of Dana Walden
Joyce Eng, senior editor at awards publication Gold Derby, noted, "With Disney, it definitely helps that they own so much. That helps them boost their nomination numbers. If Disney didn't own Fox, we wouldn't be talking about 'The Bear' and 'Shogun's' nominations."
Landgraf credits Walden's support for championing "Shogun," a costly period drama set in 17th-century Japan. He emphasized that both Iger and Walden played crucial roles in enabling FX's creative achievements this year.
Dana Walden’s leadership and creative vision have not only bolstered Disney's television portfolio but also positioned her as a strong candidate to succeed Iger as CEO. Alongside Alan Bergman, Walden oversees Disney's global streaming business as co-chairman of Disney Entertainment.
Walden’s Creative Prowess
Walden rose to prominence at Fox, where she oversaw the development of hit shows like "24," "Glee," "Homeland," and "This Is Us." Peter Roth, former president of 20th Century Fox Television, praised her saying, "She’s got great instincts and great taste. She is the real deal."
Walden’s knack for delivering insightful feedback has won her favor among top creatives, including showrunners like Dan Fogelman ("This Is Us") and Ryan Murphy ("Glee"). Her creative influence was instrumental in casting Selena Gomez alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short in "Only Murders in the Building."
Rick Rosen, co-founder of William Morris Endeavor, lauded Walden, stating, "One thing that writers have told me, even writers who don't love notes, is when they are stuck or blocked, Dana takes the time to help them through it and always makes the script or project better."
Analysis: What This Means for You
In simple terms, Disney's dominance at this year's Emmys signifies a major shift in the entertainment landscape. The company's strategic acquisitions and strong leadership have propelled it to the top, outshining traditional powerhouses like HBO and Netflix. For investors, this creative resurgence bodes well for Disney's stock, potentially driving higher returns. For viewers, it means more high-quality, award-winning content to enjoy.
Understanding the business dynamics behind these achievements can provide valuable insights into market trends and investment opportunities. Disney's strategic moves and strong leadership exemplify how creative vision and smart acquisitions can lead to industry dominance.