Part 8/11:
In a revealing internal memo, Disney officials expressed concern over the delay and the impact on fans during a critical sports weekend, framing the issue as a matter of public hardship. Critics argue that such communications are transparently crafted for public consumption—meant to elicit sympathy, while tripping over their own messaging. Google responded by accusing Disney of leaking sensitive documents, a tactic Disney allegedly employs to sway public opinion and pressure negotiations.
The memo’s language, filled with industry jargon and emphasizing competition with other distributors, reveals the high-stakes, high-pressure negotiations that also include their broader strategy to enforce higher licensing fees in an increasingly crowded streaming environment.