"The Path to 9/11": A Chinese connection?

[cannonfire]

I think I've found the reason why Disney has made the otherwise unfathomable decision to air a miniseries without ads.

Disney desperately wants to expand into China, but the company is having problems with the Chinese government. The rulers of China have placed severe restrictions on the importation of animated films, which have a greater cross-cultural appeal than do live-action American films. The stated reason for the restrictions has something to do with "cultural contamination"; the real reason is protection of China's growing domestic animation industry.

Disney also hopes to build a theme park in China. Iger has spoken about this goal in public. Unfortunately, the governmental red tape presents a formidable obstacle.

Only the Bush administration can bring pressure on the notoriously difficult Chinese government. Disney needs Bush's help. Billions could be at stake.

This, I believe, is the real reason why Disney is going to such outlandish lengths to help the Republicans in the run-up to the election. The $30 million production cost of the miniseries may be small compared to the potential profits in China.

I've written about this on my blog, Cannonfire. I also discuss the idea of appealing to Disney's chief stockholders -- the group which forced the ouster of Michael Eisner.

[Virginia Dare]

1. Interesting theory....

and a very plausible one imo.

Welcome to DU!

[NewJeffCT]

2. Disney is already building a theme park in Beijing and

has opened one in Hong-Kong as well. Was reading a funny story about how tours in Hong Kong were more likely to visit transvestite shows than Disney Hong Kong because the Disney people didn't realize you had to "tip" the tour people to get their business.

I can go to any major city in China now and buy a compressed DVD that has every Disney animated movie on it. The actual movie business in China is peanuts, as pirated movies are so easily available that there is no incentive to go out to the theater if you can watch it at home on your home theater system.

[cannonfire]

3. Good points, but...

...cracking down on piracy is another massive reason why Disney would want the Chinese government to be cooperative.

[leveymg]

4. Why is Disney gambling on Bush and the GOP? They're history.

The Chinese angle may, indeed, be a factor, but I don't believe it's the main one.

Tell me if I'm wrong. Disney already offshores much of its animation to Chinese contractors. That started with Mulan (a wonderful film). That gives Disney a lot of sway with Beijing. A Disney theme park in China is a near billion dollar investment over half a decade. By the time it opens, BushCo will be long gone (one hopes).

So, why appease BushCo for a project in China. Maybe, the present management at Disney has a host of reasons to want to create GOP-pleasing fantasies? It seems all the major networks and entertainment conglomerates have turned hard-right in recent years.

I'd be concerned as a stockholder. This may not be a very good business decision, as American politics are shifting the other way.

Welcome to DU. :hi: