The Circuit with Emily Chang Disney Entertainment’s Dana Walden on Media Mergers, Jimmy Kimmel and What Makes Good TV
Dec 12, 2025
Dana Walden, Co-chair of Disney Entertainment, delves into her vast responsibilities overseeing Hulu, Disney+, FX, and ABC. She shares insights into Disney's strategy to differentiate from Netflix, focusing on quality storytelling and emotional IP. Walden discusses the controversies surrounding Jimmy Kimmel and how they navigated public response. She emphasizes the importance of local originals, technology investments, and a unified streaming experience. With a nod to the future, she champions premium storytelling and engaging experiences in an evolving entertainment landscape.
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Use Fast Nos To Help Partners
- Say no quickly when a project won't work; a fast no lets partners pivot to better opportunities.
- Be transparent and invest in relationships so partners accept candid decisions.
Emotional Pull Beats Utility
- Dana Walden contrasts Disney’s emotional pull with Netflix’s utility positioning.
- Disney bets on curated, high-quality storytelling rather than a quantity firehose.
Invest Tech Talent To Leverage IP
- Build technology teams from best-in-class tech hires to improve streaming product and personalization.
- Design product features that leverage your unique IP to delight subscribers.