Part 6/9:
In an unusual twist, Disney's internal forecasts—leaked through certain media outlets—show attempts to paint an overly optimistic picture. Some reports suggest that The Little Mermaid may still find a way to break even via home video sales, rentals, and Disney+ streaming revenue, projecting nearly $250 million in rights and subscription income.
However, considering the actual costs involved and the disappointing box office performance, these projections seem overly generous. The $140 million spent on marketing alone, combined with production costs, means the studio must rely heavily on these secondary revenue streams to mitigate losses.