Disney Upfront Goes All in on Savannah Bananas, Billie Jean King
Variety • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Disney announced that the Savannah Bananas’ Banana Bowl will stream live on Disney+ in October, with standout player Jackson Olson joining “Dancing with the Stars” as part of a broader partnership.
- CEO Josh D’Amaro emphasized Disney’s unique generational trust and cultural presence, while president of global advertising Rita Ferro highlighted advancements in intelligent, automated ad systems.
- ESPN celebrated the “Year of the Super Bowl” with former MVPs appearing onstage, and tennis legend Billie Jean King was featured in a new ESPN “30 for 30” documentary.
- New content reveals included “Ahsoka” Season 2 premiering in early 2027, the Marvel series “VisionQuest” set for October 2026, and FX’s “American Horror Story” Season 13 additions alongside Ryan Murphy’s new series “The Shards.”
- The event closed with a musical performance by Olivia Rodrigo, introduced by Jimmy Kimmel and his daughter, highlighting Disney’s blend of entertainment and star power for its upcoming programming slate.