Originally Posted By idleBrain <<That makes perfect sense. And Tony Baxter is no different than any other corporate bigwig at WDI (or anywhere else), he'd look you in the eyes in the lie if it meant protecting his butt.>> I don't think he can squat down that low, without his knees locking up. 8^D
Originally Posted By Skellington88 LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS remember that friends...remember that! and what about science?...science?...science?...scienece?
Originally Posted By idleBrain <<and what about science?...science?...science?...scienece?>> It has a rapid rate of linguistic decay.
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror >>>The Chinese are very mistrusting of American media in general. So to imply anything oherwise would be disingenuous. If Disney thought they had problems with the French, they ain't seen nothing yet!<<< Completely correct, though it's not just Disney. The Chinese Government is incredibly mercurial in its willingness to grant media access, for theatrical features or television or anything else. Every studio is in a continuing effort to get more entry, even as the Government, in the last year, has tightened up the ship and narrowed permissions for broadcasting and the numbers (and types) of films imported from the West. Disney has a steep uphill climb here, and they're spending a lot of time and money on reasoning with the Government. The Shanghai expansion plans remain their biggest bargaining chip. But when that's exhausted, and even if it gets them ground.... the Government can always just welch on the deal. It doesn't matter to the Chinese Gov't that Disney thrives on Synergy, and the deeper the company gets in bed with them, the more this situation could potentially become an Asian Heroin Monkey for the WDC.
Originally Posted By idleBrain Has WDC become the Robert Downey, Jr of the entertainment media conglomerates?
Originally Posted By ChiMike ^ Not that anyone didn't see this problem coming 6 years ago. If 9/11 didn't happen I think our relationship with China would not be as strong today. Anybody remember the downed spy plane summer '01? North Korea is just the tip of the iceburg. I can have an open-mind on arguements for HKDL, but the idea to keep expanding really puzzles me. Do the executives read any other newspaper than Variety? What were they doing in 1989? Disney was opening MGM studios, John, Jane and their 2.5 kids were riding GMR and China was killing hundreds of non-violent protestors. I understand Disney's motivations. I understand why I'm wrong, but I do think the executives are a little naive about the risks present in the future.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I understand why I'm wrong, but I do think the executives are a little naive about the risks present in the future.>> I don't think that is a fair assessment Mike. The Company is treading very careful in China and making baby steps. China definitely isn't the same place it was even five years ago. You only need to go to Shanghai to see that. That doesn't mean that there aren't major human rights, intellectual property and democratic issues to be at least partially resolved. But the Company opened up the Lion King in Shanghai earlier this month and that is a pretty big move (hence Bob's visit to the country). Disney Channel is a must given their appetite for entertainment and I'm sure that will happen eventually.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<North Korea is just the tip of the iceburg. I can have an open-mind on arguements for HKDL, but the idea to keep expanding really puzzles me. Do the executives read any other newspaper than Variety? What were they doing in 1989? Disney was opening MGM studios, John, Jane and their 2.5 kids were riding GMR and China was killing hundreds of non-violent protestors. I understand Disney's motivations. I understand why I'm wrong, but I do think the executives are a little naive about the risks present in the future.>> I don't think you're wrong at all. Money is all they see. When they look at all those Chinese they see dollar signs. And a market that size can blind someone to reality, especially when they probably won't be with the company when that happens. Like I said, watch the news on any of the networks (even our own Al Jezeera, FOX) and you never hear 'COMMUNIST' before China. Gee, why not? Could it be because our government isn't really so much a democratic one as a capitalist one? So long as we can make money with China, who really cares about their policies. Oh, Mike, the Disney execs also regularly read the LA Times, the Hollywood Reporter, the NY Times, USA Today and the -- of course -- the Wall Street Journal.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<But the Company opened up the Lion King in Shanghai earlier this month and that is a pretty big move (hence Bob's visit to the country).>> I think he had other business there too. <<Disney Channel is a must given their appetite for entertainment and I'm sure that will happen eventually.>> I dunno ... maybe they'd rather watch Nickolodeon ... or MTV.
Originally Posted By idleBrain Question? If the Chinese government is disappointed with HKDL so far... why would they be willing to spend several more billions of dollars on developing yet another resort in Shanghai? Wouldn't the prudent investment analyst advice them to wait until the Hong Kong resort demonstrates consistent performance and a solid ROI? Seems to me the player pushing the hardest to finalize Shanghai isn't the Chinese government, but WDC.
Originally Posted By leemac ^^ TWDC have nine other projects under development. If Shanghai doesn't pop off the boards there are a host of other good opportunities. Don't forget that HK SAR government is still partially democratic. I'm not sure that the Chinese government has any concerns about how Disney conducted themselves in that territory.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Don't forget that HK SAR government is still partially democratic.>> Partially democratic? Uhm ... anyone see an issue with that?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Wouldn't the prudent investment analyst advice them to wait until the Hong Kong resort demonstrates consistent performance and a solid ROI?>> You would think so, wouldn't you? <<Seems to me the player pushing the hardest to finalize Shanghai isn't the Chinese government, but WDC.>> That was the scuttlebutt out of Sun Valley. Kinda like the guy whose always chasing the girl who 'loves you like a brother.' I know other media companies want to exploit the market, but it's big enough for them all. TWDC is crazy if it thinks it will own the Chinese.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 >>Partially democratic? Uhm ... anyone see an issue with that? << yeah...while some things seem to remain as before, anytime the PR of C wants to change this, it won't be hard since they choose who runs HK. Not saying they ever will, but could very easily "On July 1, 1997 Hong Kong was handed over to the People's Republic of China by the United Kingdom. The old Legislative Council, elected under Chris Patten's reforms, was replaced by the Provisional Legislative Council elected by a selection committee whose members are appointed by the PRC government. Tung Chee Hwa, elected in December by a selection committee which members are appointed by the PRC government, assumed duty as the first Chief Executive of Hong Kong."
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror >>>Has WDC become the Robert Downey, Jr of the entertainment media conglomerates?<<< You mean by cruising steam rooms of Hollywood fitness clubs? I don't think so, no.
Originally Posted By idleBrain <<You mean by cruising steam rooms of Hollywood fitness clubs? I don't think so, no.>> Didn't see that one coming.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<You mean by cruising steam rooms of Hollywood fitness clubs? I don't think so, no.>> <<Didn't see that one coming.>> Me neither ... now if you're talking about some Imagineers ... well, yeah sure, I could see that!
Originally Posted By idleBrain <<.. now if you're talking about some Imagineers ... well, yeah sure, I could see that!>> I'm fairly certain you're not the only one, Sof74. Is it Labor Day yet?
Originally Posted By Skellington88 What are you guys implying is Imagineering getting a big revamp after Labor Day???? I hope so!
