Search

Discusses how the cable company Comcast offered an unsolicited bid to takeover the Walt Disney Co. Negotiations between Comcast CEO Brian Roberts and Disney CEO Michael Eisner about the proposed merger; Consideration of the poor financial performances at Disney's theme parks and animation business; Business strategies used by Roberts; Competition for Comcast from phone companies that will deliver video programming, phone services, and broadband Internet access through a single line; How Rupert Murdoch of News Corp. bought control of DirecTV satellite services.

Profiles Michael Eisner, Disney chairman, and explains The Walt Disney Company's $19 billion deal to buy Capital Cities/ABC. Eisner's personal difficulties in 1994; Questions about the future success of this media megamerger; Role of Warren Buffett; Why the financial timing was right; The departure of Jeffrey Katzenberg from Walt Disney Company and his imminent confrontation and loathing of Eisner.

Reports that Michael Ovitz has announced he is leaving his post as mega-boss of Creative Artists Agency and join Michael Eisner of Walt Disney Co. Appointment as president, effective October 1, 1995; Why being Eisner's No. 2 man left observers filled with admiration; Why this hire caps the busiest period in Hollywood's game of musical moguls since 1984; The background and education of Michael Ovitz.

Discusses how the cable company Comcast offered an unsolicited bid to takeover the Walt Disney Co. Negotiations between Comcast CEO Brian Roberts and Disney CEO Michael Eisner about the proposed merger; Consideration of the poor financial performances at Disney's theme parks and animation business; Business strategies used by Roberts; Competition for Comcast from phone companies that will deliver video programming, phone services, and broadband Internet access through a single line; How Rupert Murdoch of News Corp. bought control of DirecTV satellite services.

This article reports on the acquisition of Pixar, the animation studio, by the Walt Disney Co., a deal engineered by Disney chief Robert Iger. Pixar head and Apple co-founder Steve Job is now the largest single shareholder in Disney and has a seat on the board. The success that Pixar has had with computer generated films is contrasted with Disney's recent lackluster performance in animated features. The financial pitfalls of the deal are examined. The acquisition heals a rift that had developed between Steve Jobs and former Disney head Michael Eisner. John Lasseter will be chief creative officer of both companies.

Discusses Walt Disney Corp. CEO Michael Eisner in his growing estrangement with Roy Disney, nephew of Walt Disney. Resignation of Roy Disney and his longtime ally Stanley Gold from the board of directors; Eisner's wonder years of expanding the theme parks, marketing successes and merchandising; Other opponents to Eisner's management style which include Harvey Weinstein of Miramax Films; Views why Roy Disney was sniping from a weak position.

Discusses the use of the Internet by the Walt Disney Co. Why Walt Disney would have loved the Internet; Views of Disney chairman Michael Eisner; Disney Online President Jake Winebaum; Disney's vision of its digital future; Shopping on the Disney site; Disney's business model; Entertainment companies under the Disney umbrella; Key to Disney's online success; Disney's culture; Problems with Internet use; Disney portal sites.

Discusses the use of the Internet by the Walt Disney Co. Why Walt Disney would have loved the Internet; Views of Disney chairman Michael Eisner; Disney Online President Jake Winebaum; Disney's vision of its digital future; Shopping on the Disney site; Disney's business model; Entertainment companies under the Disney umbrella; Key to Disney's online success; Disney's culture; Problems with Internet use; Disney portal sites.

Comments on the announced resignation of Jeffrey Katzenberg, 43, from the Disney empire after being rebuffed by Chairman Michael Eisner for a bid as second-in-command. Why Hollywood went seismic over the news; Comment by Steven Spielberg; Katzenberg's history at Disney.

Looks at speculation over the future of the Disney entertainment company caused by chairman Michael Eisner's emergency quadruple-bypass surgery two weeks ago. Loss of Frank Wells, the company's second-in-command four months ago in a helicopter crash; Jeffrey Katzenberg, 43, head of Walt Disney Studios; Challenges for Disney.

Looks back at an article in the April 25, 1988, issue of "Time" which profiles former Walt Disney Company chief executive officer Michael Eisner. Report that Eisner was seen as a charismatic figure who hosted the "Disney Sunday Movie"; Replacement of Eisner with Robert Iger, the former Disney president.

Presents news items on celebrities. Appointment of Robert Iger to head up Walt Disney Co. following the resignation of Michael Eisner; Confession by John Couey of the murder of Jessica Lunsford of Florida; Acquittal of actor Robert Blake for the murder of Bonny Lee Bakely; Obituaries for Dick Radatz, George Scott, Sol Linowitz, Sy Wexler and Mary Elizabeth Cronkite.

Presents quotations from newsmakers of the week. Howard Stern's comment to Michael Powell, the chief of the Federal Communications Commission; Julian Bond on the tax-exempt status of the N.A.C.C.P.; Ayad Allawi, the Prime Minister of Iraq criticizing multinational forces; Mel Gibson's argument against stem-cell research; Leslie Epstein on the Red Sox victory in the World Series; Michael Ovitz on his former friend and boss, Michael Eisner.

Mentions how former Disney president Michael Ovitz is expected to testify in a trial regarding allegations from shareholders that the 1995 hiring of Ovitz and his dismissal 14 months later cost the company up to $200 million. Claims from the shareholders that the company could have fired Ovitz for lying and denied him his severance of $140 million.

Offers news briefs regarding various popular figures as of September 2004. Recovery of former United States President Bill Clinton after a quadruple-bypass operation; Sentencing of former investment banker Frank Quattrone to 18 months in prison; Retirement of Michael Eisner, the chief executive officer of Walt Disney Company; Death of Nuha al-Radi, author of "Baghdad Diaries"; Death of singer-songwriter Billy Davis; Death of Democratic Congressman Brock Adams; Death of computer scientist Bob Evans; Death of white supremacist leader Richard Butler.

Reports that Walt Disney Co. CEO Michael Eisner received a vote of no confidence at the annual shareholders meeting. Retention of his role as chief executive but replacement as chairman by George Mitchell; Overture by Disney to an influential shareholder advisory group to gauge its support for the idea before the vote took place; Comments from dissident shareholder Roy Disney who feels that the split of the two jobs amounts to another Eisner coup.

Reports that Michael Eisner is in the midst of trying to fend off a fierce campaign to oust him as Disney CEO. Emergence of a letter Eisner wrote to former superagent Michael Ovitz, who was Disney president for 14 months; Impact of the letter.

Mentions the announced end to the partnership of Pixar and Disney. Amount the team earned in 2003 with animated films; The issue of a profit-sharing deal the two studios have; Decision of Pixar CEO Steve Jobs to end negotiation for a straight distribution commission for Disney; Discussion of the strained relations and business differences between Jobs and Disney CEO Michael Eisner.

Presents a look at a magazine cover from fifteen years ago which featured Michael Eisner and Mickey Mouse. Current turmoil on the Walt Disney Co. board of directors with a call to oust CEO Eisner; His popularity with Disney fans.

Presents an interview with Disney's chief executive officer Michael Eisner. Challenges that Disney faces in 2003; Odds that Disney will strike a new deal with Pixar; Thoughts on updating the theme parks.

Focuses on the appointment of Michael Ovitz as president of Walt Disney. Significance of Ovitz's appointment to Michael Eisner, Disney's chairman and chief executive officer; Comments of Ovitz's colleagues on his appointment; Speculations on the conflict between Ovitz and Eisner's job positions; Impact of Ovitz's resignation from Creative Artists Agency.

Reports the settlement of the lawsuit by Jeffrey Katzenberg against the Walt Disney Co. Comparison of Katzenberg with Disney's Michael Eisner; Benefits of the settlement for both sides; Basis of Katzenberg's suit; Speculation about the settlement amount; Problems faced by Disney and Katzenberg's DreamWorks.

Discusses the lawsuit by Jeffrey Katzenberg, Micheal Eisner's onetime protege at Walt Disney, against Disney for claiming that the company owes him millions of dollars. Relationship between the two; Reference to Eisner's book `Work in Progress'; Testimony of Eisner; The salary of Katzenberg while at Disney.

Mentions the lawsuit against Disney's Go Network by GoTo.com. GoTo.com's logo allegedly copied by Disney; Views of GoTo.com's lawyer, Pierce O'Donnell; Role of Disney's Michael Eisner.

Discusses the case of Jeffrey Katzenberg, former chairman of Walt Disney Co. studio against Michael Eisner, chief executive and chairman of Walt Disney as of November 1997. The claim by Katzenberg that Disney promised him two percent of the profit from the film and other ventures that he headed; Reaction by Disney.

Discusses Random House's decision to postpone the publication of the autobiography by Walt Disney chairman Michael Eisner. The possible effect of former Disney motion picture executive Jeffrey Katzenberg's lawsuit against Disney.

Reports on the earnings of Mike Ovitz and Michael Eisner; Ovitz's severance package upon resigning from Disney; Eisner's earnings.

Opinion. Uses Walt Disney Co. CEO Michael Eisner as an example of a well-paid executive that refuses to contribute any of his own salary toward solving his company's problems. The suggestion by `Washington Post' columnist Robert J. Samuelson that Eisner pay departing Disney executive Michael Ovitz's severance package; The 1988 strike of Hollywood screenwriters; Disney's 1994 controversial effort to build a history theme park in Virginia.

This article reports on the acquisition of Pixar, the animation studio, by the Walt Disney Co., a deal engineered by Disney chief Robert Iger. Pixar head and Apple co-founder Steve Job is now the largest single shareholder in Disney and has a seat on the board. The success that Pixar has had with computer generated films is contrasted with Disney's recent lackluster performance in animated features. The financial pitfalls of the deal are examined. The acquisition heals a rift that had developed between Steve Jobs and former Disney head Michael Eisner. John Lasseter will be chief creative officer of both companies.

Discusses Walt Disney Corp. CEO Michael Eisner in his growing estrangement with Roy Disney, nephew of Walt Disney. Resignation of Roy Disney and his longtime ally Stanley Gold from the board of directors; Eisner's wonder years of expanding the theme parks, marketing successes and merchandising; Other opponents to Eisner's management style which include Harvey Weinstein of Miramax Films; Views why Roy Disney was sniping from a weak position.

Presents news items on celebrities. Appointment of Robert Iger to head up Walt Disney Co. following the resignation of Michael Eisner; Confession by John Couey of the murder of Jessica Lunsford of Florida; Acquittal of actor Robert Blake for the murder of Bonny Lee Bakely; Obituaries for Dick Radatz, George Scott, Sol Linowitz, Sy Wexler and Mary Elizabeth Cronkite.

Presents quotations from newsmakers of the week. Howard Stern's comment to Michael Powell, the chief of the Federal Communications Commission; Julian Bond on the tax-exempt status of the N.A.C.C.P.; Ayad Allawi, the Prime Minister of Iraq criticizing multinational forces; Mel Gibson's argument against stem-cell research; Leslie Epstein on the Red Sox victory in the World Series; Michael Ovitz on his former friend and boss, Michael Eisner.

Mentions how former Disney president Michael Ovitz is expected to testify in a trial regarding allegations from shareholders that the 1995 hiring of Ovitz and his dismissal 14 months later cost the company up to $200 million. Claims from the shareholders that the company could have fired Ovitz for lying and denied him his severance of $140 million.

Offers news briefs regarding various popular figures as of September 2004. Recovery of former United States President Bill Clinton after a quadruple-bypass operation; Sentencing of former investment banker Frank Quattrone to 18 months in prison; Retirement of Michael Eisner, the chief executive officer of Walt Disney Company; Death of Nuha al-Radi, author of "Baghdad Diaries"; Death of singer-songwriter Billy Davis; Death of Democratic Congressman Brock Adams; Death of computer scientist Bob Evans; Death of white supremacist leader Richard Butler.

The article offers world news briefs. Simon Mann, British former special forces soldier and supplier of security and military services, was sentenced to seven years in prison in Harare, Zimbabwe. Michael Eisner, CEO of Walt Disney Co. for 20 years will retire in September 2006 after his contract expires. Nuha Al-Radi, Iraqi ceramist and painter best known for her 1998 book "Baghdad Diaries," died of pneumonia linked to treatment for leukemia, in Beirut.

The article focuses on issues related to the documentary film "Fahrenheit 9/11," directed by Michael Moore. The film details what Moore considers the corrupt ethics of conservative American politicians and Big Business. Just before its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, word emerged that Walt Disney Co.'s CEO Michael Eisner had forbidden Miramax Films Corp., a Disney division, to distribute the film.

Reports that Walt Disney Co. CEO Michael Eisner received a vote of no confidence at the annual shareholders meeting. Retention of his role as chief executive but replacement as chairman by George Mitchell; Overture by Disney to an influential shareholder advisory group to gauge its support for the idea before the vote took place; Comments from dissident shareholder Roy Disney who feels that the split of the two jobs amounts to another Eisner coup.

The article presents quotes from notable people. Princess of Wales, Diana, said that she was deathly calm on her wedding day. Angela Stevens said that everyone wanted CEO Michael Eisner to leave the party. Teacher Shahnaz Rabi'i criticized the Arab version of the television program "Big Brother" and said it is a threat to Islam.

The article reports that despite suffering a 43% vote of no confidence from investors, Walt Disney Co.'s CEO Michael Eisner managed to retain his position. However, he tapped director George Mitchell to replace him as chairman. It turns out Disney had been floating the idea of splitting the top jobs to quell shareholder grumbling even before the votes were in.

Reports that Michael Eisner is in the midst of trying to fend off a fierce campaign to oust him as Disney CEO. Emergence of a letter Eisner wrote to former superagent Michael Ovitz, who was Disney president for 14 months; Impact of the letter.

The article presents the excerpts of a controversial letter written by Michael Eisner, Walt Disney Co. chief executive officer, to former president of the company Michael Ovitz and discusses the issues related to this. The letter reflects on certain malpractices of Ovitz including the details of a shareholder lawsuit.

Mentions the announced end to the partnership of Pixar and Disney. Amount the team earned in 2003 with animated films; The issue of a profit-sharing deal the two studios have; Decision of Pixar CEO Steve Jobs to end negotiation for a straight distribution commission for Disney; Discussion of the strained relations and business differences between Jobs and Disney CEO Michael Eisner.

The article reports Pixar and Disney announced the end of their partnership. As a team, they had given moviegoers some of the greatest animated films in history, hauling in a total of $2.6 billion at the box office. The two studios have a profit-sharing deal, but Pixar wanted to end it early and pay Disney a straight distribution commission. Sources close to the talks blamed the breakup on intractable business differences and strained relations between Pixar CEO Steve Jobs and Disney CEO Michael Eisner.

Presents a look at a magazine cover from fifteen years ago which featured Michael Eisner and Mickey Mouse. Current turmoil on the Walt Disney Co. board of directors with a call to oust CEO Eisner; His popularity with Disney fans.