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Viacom's move into the home video market is direly lacking. A growing populace of Gen-Y are dying for their shows to be available, while shows like Soap have been out in full release for over three years.

And without the purity rings, how can Disney sell sex to little girls and have the Jonas Brothers spray hot, white foam in their faces?

*Raise your hand if think anyone will have heard of D23 five years from now?*

I don't mean to sound overly cynical but I don't see community. Unless by community you mean the same group that waits outside Pic n' Save at four in the morning on Black Friday together. Sure, Disney is smart but only in the way Sears Roebuck was to offer a 35% markup on all their appliances through an extended service warranty with a less than 10% failure payout rate. Offer a buncha 1/2 off coupons that no one will ever be around to cash in.

As a community, shouldn't there be some way to, I don't know, communicate w/other members? Share the experience? Isn't this the same thing they've been doing for the past 50 years? Except offer a lot less for much more? Wouldn't people pay like $1.99 plus a couple of Rice Crispies boxtops to be a part of the Mouseketeers? Only then you'd get a newsletter once a month with maybe free engraving on a set of mouse ears should you ever make it out to the park and all the guys would join hoping for a lap dance from Annette Funicello.

It was before my time but I know how the game was played. You can't tell me anyone who goes to Disneyland, -world or Epcot ctr and makes a purchase w/a credit card doesn't receive some kind of promotional filled catalog 3-4 times a year. Only now they're offering the mktg victim the opportunity drop down four score for them to pay for everybody else's postage and printing. Along with some arcane tidbits about the cast of a Miley Cyrus spinoff show.

I don't see how this'll drive up traffic on the website or show itself any more significant year 2. I think it's looking to cash in on two words, Charter and Collectable. My only surprise is that they didn't figure out a way of having some multiple purchase discount.

I agree Disney has figured out how to get every kid hooked from cradle to 13, maybe 17 if they're lucky, with a return to brand at 30 with the upbringing of their kids but while Viacom or WB doesn't have the same brand identity w/their products, aren't they less exposed? Or more diversifiable w/product? If a studio sets itself up as [blank], then won't people only see them as [blank]? If people start thinking Viacom/CBS/MTV/Showtime=one-in-the-same would that really be good for bidness? All in the family, I get that. Loyalty, right with you but while most people may know the connection I'm not sure people make the association when watching TV or films, which may be a good thing. I'd wonder at what point in a post modern, post millennium world would synergy start to take on the appearance of claustrophobia or homogeny?

Is it true they're releasing The Frog and the Princess in limited release in November before a wide release in December. Interesting for an animated film no?

I remember they opened Toy Story 2 at the El Capitan a week before anywhere else nationwide. Could be the same kind of thing.

It would be great if consumers could see beyond the charade that is 'brand loyalty', we'd all be better off. So here's to Viacom not executing that oppressive proposed Nick to VH1 strategy.

Disney has done exclusive LA/NY engagements on a number of their animateds.

This new D23 idea is really nothing more than an official fanclub, with a quarterly newsletter, online content and a big yearly Disney Expo. One wonders why the company didn't do this years ago.

Brand Loyalty = Consumer Fascism

What a charmingly naive post. This isn't materially different from the Magic Kingdom Club (which lasted decades) or the Disney Club (which didn't)... except now you have to pay $75 instead of a few dollars. In other words, Disney has tried this multiple times before.

The difference is, of course, that this is a companywide initiate as opposed to strictly parks. Another super example of vaunted Disney synergy!!

I don't get who this is targeted at. Presumably adults, because what kid has $75 to blow on a D23 membership? And what parent would shell out for that? Not me.

My kids will pay $5 a month out of their allowance for Club Penguin, because there's a community aspect to it they love. They can get on there and play, there's always some special event going on on the site, etc. They love Club Penguin.

But D23? I dunno. The "special events" and behind-the-scenes stuff would have to be pretty spectacular.

I'm friends with some of the employees on Club Penguin. They take their job very seriously, and have done a fantastic job of creating a safe, and eventful web portal for kids. The site is surprisingly ahead of its time in a few areas that can't be revealed outside of their NDA unfortunately.

The site is definitely aimed at adults. Believe me there are a lot of adults out there who are big fans of Disney parks and media. And they love special merchandise and events, so this should do decently, even if the fee is rather steep.

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