The world's most prolific entertainment company is preparing to prove it's more than just Mickey Mouse. The Zhitong Finance app learned that Disney (DIS.US) will release its third fiscal quarter results after the US stock market closes on Tuesday, August 4 EST (that is, on the morning of Wednesday, August 5, Beijing time), and then hold an earnings call.

According to FactSet's survey of 24 analysts, the market expects Disney to have a net loss of 1.25 billion US dollars for the third fiscal quarter, a net profit of 5.4 billion US dollars for the same period last year; a loss of 61 cents per share, a profit of 1.35 US dollars for the same period last year; and revenue of 12.4 billion US dollars, compared to 20.2 billion US dollars for the same period last year.

Analysts forecast that Disney will lose $534.8 million in the fourth fiscal quarter; a loss of 30 cents per share; and revenue of $15.4 billion. Analysts forecast Disney's full-year revenue for FY2020 to be US$66.7 billion.

Here are some of the questions the company might be asked during the earnings call.

1. How much did its theme parks lose?

Over the past three months, Disney's theme parks have opened one after another around the world, with the exception of Disneyland in California, which has yet to reopen. Hong Kong Disneyland was temporarily closed last month due to a public health incident.

Safety is the top issue for the resumption of operations at its theme parks. Disney has successfully passed this test, and now people's attention has turned to the profitability of the company's operations. Right now, it seems like Disney's theme park sector isn't at a loss. Strict restrictions on the number of people entering the park per day, travel restrictions, and concerns about widespread health incidents are all affecting business development. However, currently, for Disney, making money is not the primary goal.

Disney's competitor, CMCSA.US (CMCSA.US), held an earnings call last week. When talking about its Florida and Universal Studios theme parks in Japan, it said that the company's financial situation is still better than when it closed.

Comcast lost a lot of money in its resort business in the second quarter, but the problem is that it will lose even more money if it doesn't open. Comcast is able to portray a better outcome in a challenging environment, create job opportunities for employees, create opportunities for travelers to escape reality, and has some altruistic light. I wonder if Disney could say the same thing in the early restarts of its theme parks.

2. Will there be more theatrical movies on Disney+?

Disney was initially forced when it came to introducing content for mainstream movie theater audiences to its new streaming service, Disney+. Before cinemas closed, “The Magic of 1/2” (Onward) was only screened for two weekends. Disney thought there was no way back, so it offered the film in the form of a digital movie on its Disney+ platform, which was only launched in November.

Not just “The Magic of 1/2,” Disney will include future movies released in other theaters, including “Artemis Fowl” (Artemis Fowl), “The One and Only Ivan” (The One and Only Ivan), and the more famous “Hamilton” (Hamilton) list on Disney+. Most of its upcoming movies simply push the new release dates further back. And since Disney's last earnings call, the release date of the highly anticipated “Mulan” live-action movie has been delayed at least twice.

However, given the favorable publicity Disney received from putting the hit movies “Hamilton,” “The Magic of 1/2,” and “Frozen II” on its streaming service, it wouldn't be surprising if other films followed suit.

3. When will media networks feel pressured by content?

Along Disney's theatrical lines and streaming distribution channels, Disney's media network department may also face its own problems. Although Disney-owned ABC TV will launch a new “General Hospital” (General Hospital) program this week, production work is basically at a standstill. For ESPN, the company's sports channel, although the relaunch of major professional sports programs is gratifying, some restarts seem unrealistic.

Disney is a media giant in every sense, and its cable and broadcast networks have provided financial shelter from disruptions in operations in other sectors. However, even Disney's all-weather media network requires a content plan. Disney may be able to provide investors with answers to these questions after the market closes on Tuesday.