The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network
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The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network features weekly shows hosted by Jim Hill and his collaborators. The lineup includes The Disney Dish with Len Testa, Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Epic Universal Podcast with Eric Hersey, I Want That Too with Lauren Hersey, Marvel Us Disney with Dan Graney, The Case For with Chris Cox, and more. Each series offers industry reporting, history, analysis, and insider stories spanning Disney, Universal, animation, film, streaming, and themed entertainment. With over 25 years of online storytelling and thousands of hours of content, the network delivers trusted, in-depth coverage for fans, enthusiasts, and industry professionals.

  1. Disney’s $4 Billion Bear: Why Duffy Rules Overseas but Still Baffles the U.S.

    14H AGO

    Disney’s $4 Billion Bear: Why Duffy Rules Overseas but Still Baffles the U.S.

    It’s the first episode of the new year, and Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey ring in 2026 by digging into the annual Disney merch reset. From the surprisingly nostalgic look of next year’s dated park souvenirs to a brand-new Star Wars droid collector program, there’s a lot changing on shelves just as holiday decorations disappear overnight. Plus, Jim takes a deep dive into one of Disney’s most baffling merch success stories and why it still doesn’t quite translate stateside. NEWS • A first look at Disney’s 2026 dated park merchandise, including a color palette that feels straight out of vintage Walt Disney World road signage • Disney confirms Droid Factory Fridays, a new monthly Star Wars collector program kicking off January 2 • How Disney is using timed drops and bonus build incentives to keep Star Wars fans buying all year long • Valentine’s Day arrives overnight, with Sweethearts’ Nite at Disneyland and new couples-focused merch leading the charge FEATURE • Why Stitch dominated 2025 with billions in merch sales following the live-action film • The strange history of Duffy the Disney Bear, from U.S. failure to massive success in Asia • Disney’s new slow-and-steady strategy to finally make Duffy stick with American audiences • How Asian parks are going all-in on Duffy with restaurants, parades, shows, and anniversary celebrations HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic, the same trusted team behind the DVC Rental Store and the DVC Resale Market. If a trip to Disney or Universal is in your future, visit UnlockedMagic.com to score great ticket deals from people who truly know Disney travel. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min
  2. The Case for Disney World on New Year’s Eve

    1D AGO

    The Case for Disney World on New Year’s Eve

    Spending New Year’s Eve inside a Disney World theme park sounds like the ultimate “most magical place on Earth” flex - until you remember you’re doing it shoulder-to-shoulder with what feels like the population of a small nation. This week in the Court of the Disney World Resort, Len Testa argues the case for the marathon day, the once-a-year entertainment, and that surreal moment when Adventureland is blasting pop music. Chris Cox counters with big-city New Year’s trauma, crowd math, and the simple question of whether there’s a way to enjoy the fireworks without living inside a human corral for four hours. What does Judge Jim Hill have to say? HIGHLIGHTS • The reality of Disney World on New Year’s Eve - a 18-20 hour endurance event with lines for rides, food, bathrooms, and basically oxygen • Why rope-dropping on December 31 can feel weirdly peaceful - and why nobody leaves once the park hits peak capacity • The perks that actually are special: party props, unique entertainment, and a midnight fireworks show with countdown-style pyro (plus perimeter fireworks) • The “cheat code” option - watching the full dress rehearsal fireworks on December 30 from Bay Lake Tower (or another Magic Kingdom-area resort) HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com • Chris Cox - IG: @magiccox | X: @bigcox | Website: MagicCox.com FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    22 min

  3. 2D AGO

    Fine Tooning Looks Back at 2025, From Disney’s AI Gamble to Animation’s Biggest Wins

    As 2025 comes to a close, Jim Hill flies solo on this Drew-free edition of Fine Tooning to take stock of one of the biggest, strangest, and most consequential years the animation industry has seen in decades. From record-shattering box office runs and surprise streaming hits to uncomfortable conversations about AI and the future of creative labor, this episode connects the dots between where animation has been and where it appears to be heading next. NEWS • Why Disney’s $1 billion investment in OpenAI has the animation world divided and how a Jerry Beck-hosted editorial argues that Walt Disney might have embraced AI himself • A year-end box office check-in including Zootopia 2, Avatar: Fire & Ash, and Angel Studios’ faith-based animated feature David • Netflix confirms KPop Demon Hunters has been watched more than 500 million times worldwide and what that means for its sequel and merchandising future • Major release-date shakeups for The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender and Pixar’s Gatto and why March releases are no longer considered box office poison • A rundown of upcoming animation books, UPA retrospectives, and why supporting animation historians matters more than ever HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Drew Taylor - IG: @DrewTailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR Unlocked Magic helps you save big on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets, sometimes up to 12 percent off. Unlocked Magic is run by the same team behind DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, making it easy to plan your 2026 Central Florida vacation. Pick your dates, grab your tickets, and go. Visit UnlockedMagic.com and be sure to tell them Drew and Jim sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min
  4. The $7 Million 3D Gamble That Saved Opening Day at EPCOT

    3D AGO

    The $7 Million 3D Gamble That Saved Opening Day at EPCOT

    Jim and Len kick off the final Disney Dish of the year with holiday crowds, sold-out Lightning Lane Premier Passes, and one last lap through Jollywood Nights before pivoting into surveys, listener questions, and some unexpectedly nerdy math. Along the way, they remember a beloved Imagineer, dig into why Disney asks the survey questions it does, and break down the best times to roll the dice on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind if you are chasing that perfect song. Then Jim takes everyone deep into EPCOT history with the strange, expensive, and surprisingly high-stakes story of Magic Journeys, the 3D film that quietly kept opening day from turning into a full-blown disaster. NEWS • Lightning Lane Premier Pass prices hit record highs and still sell out across Walt Disney World during the holiday rush • Jollywood Nights sticks the landing in its later years and may now be Disney World’s most popular hard-ticket holiday event • A remembrance of legendary Imagineer Eddie Sato, including unrealized Mission Space concepts and behind-the-scenes stories • Animal Kingdom survey questions raise eyebrows about shaded seating and what Disney might really be testing FEATURE • How Kodak sponsorships, lost 3D filmmaking knowledge, and a $7 million budget led to Magic Journeys • Why Magic Journeys was one of the only EPCOT opening-day attractions that actually worked as planned • Murray Lerner, improvisation, and the near-panic inside Imagineering as the film fell behind schedule • The experimental reach-and-flinch moments that made Magic Journeys unforgettable and unrepeatable For this episode’s full show notes, click here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Len Testa - IG: @len.testa | Website: TouringPlans.com FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by UnlockedMagic.com. Start planning your 2026 Disney and Universal vacations with exclusive ticket discounts, including savings of $50 or more per person on four-day Walt Disney World tickets. Tickets link directly to your My Disney Experience account, fast and easy. Visit UnlockedMagic.com to save big. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    49 min
  5. Permits, Surveys, and Big Moves as Universal’s Next Era Points to Saudi Arabia

    6D AGO

    Permits, Surveys, and Big Moves as Universal’s Next Era Points to Saudi Arabia

    This holiday week episode of the Epic Universal Podcast was recorded on Christmas Eve, which means Jim and Eric are juggling last minute shopping, customer service horror stories, and a surprisingly full slate of Universal news. From attractions closing sooner than expected to permits hinting at big changes in Islands of Adventure, this show looks both at what is ending and what might be coming next. They also zoom way out, from Epic Universe’s nighttime ambitions to the possibility of Universal’s next global park landing in a very hot climate. NEWS • The Horror Make-Up Show at Universal Studios Florida is officially closing January 4, with speculation swirling about what kind of reimagined experience might replace it. • New permits tied to Intamin suggest real movement in the Lost Continent area at Islands of Adventure, fueling renewed talk of a possible Legend of Zelda attraction. • Universal files trademarks for Celestial Goodnight, pointing strongly toward a nighttime spectacular at Epic Universe. • Ongoing guest surveys hint that a FanFest-style separately ticketed event could be headed to Universal Orlando, featuring IPs like Lord of the Rings, Pokémon, Godzilla, and K-Pop Demon Hunters. • Universal is reviewing bids for a long-term transportation system connecting Epic Universe with the original Universal Orlando campus. FEATURE • A Wall Street Journal report revives talk of a Universal Studios park in Saudi Arabia, likely financed by the Saudi government through a licensing deal. • How this potential project echoes past international ventures like Dubailand, including what went wrong and what Universal may have learned. • Why indoor, climate-controlled parks are the only viable model for the region and how this mirrors Disney’s recent Middle East strategy. • What all of this says about Universal’s future, from regional parks like Universal Kids Resort to massive international expansions. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by Be Our Guest Vacations, a platinum-level earmarked travel agency specializing in Universal and Disney destinations. Get started on your next adventure at BeOurGuestVacations.com and let them know the Epic Universal Podcast sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min
  6. How a Jim Henson Christmas Special Helped Point Pixar Toward Toy Story

    12/25/2025

    How a Jim Henson Christmas Special Helped Point Pixar Toward Toy Story

    It’s a Christmas Day edition of I Want That Too, and Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey wrap up the year with a festive mix of Disney merch news, pop culture crossovers, and a deep dive into Jim Henson’s long love affair with holiday specials. Along the way, the conversation connects some surprising dots between a largely forgotten Henson TV special and the early creative struggles that eventually led Pixar to Toy Story. NEWS • The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta closes out its Festive Features exhibit showcasing rare Jim Henson holiday puppets • Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens early to handle crowds eager to see Taylor Swift Eras Tour costumes • A new Disney Store Princess shirt sparks Swiftie speculation thanks to its lyric-inspired design • Disney Store holiday merchandise drops to 50 percent off before Christmas, shifting end-of-year shopping strategies FEATURE • Why Jim Henson repeatedly turned to holiday specials as creative and financial anchors • How A Christmas Toy reunited the Fraggle Rock team after the series ended • The long-running fan theory connecting A Christmas Toy, Pixar’s Tin Toy, and Toy Story • How Pixar’s abandoned holiday special pitch ultimately became a theatrical classic HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, from the same trusted team behind DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market. If a Disney or Universal trip is anywhere on your wish list, UnlockedMagic offers great ticket deals handled by experts who know Disney travel inside and out. Visit UnlockedMagic.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min
  7. Marvel’s Leakiest Christmas Yet and Why Steve Rogers’ Baby Changes Everything

    12/24/2025

    Marvel’s Leakiest Christmas Yet and Why Steve Rogers’ Baby Changes Everything

    Jim Hill and Dan Graney ring in the holidays with a Marvel conversation that somehow involves hacked PayPal accounts, cardboard Star Wars memories, and one of the strangest trailer rollouts in studio history. As Marvel’s Doomsday marketing quietly unravels through shaky theater footage and strategically ignored leaks, the guys dig into what’s really going on behind the scenes - and why this controlled chaos may actually be the plan. Along the way, they unpack the emotional and narrative risks of bringing Steve Rogers back into the MCU, especially now that he’s apparently a dad. NEWS • Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday teaser rollout goes sideways as multiple theater-only trailers leak online • Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers quietly returns - with a baby - raising major Endgame continuity questions • Marvel reportedly plans a rotating, four-week Doomsday teaser strategy tied to Avatar: Fire and Ash • Sony clamps down fast on a leaked Spider-Man: Brand New Day teaser while Marvel lets its leaks breathe FEATURE • Why revisiting Steve Rogers’ Endgame ending is both risky and emotionally loaded • How kids, legacy, and family may define the stakes of Doomsday and Secret Wars • A wild theory: Is Steve Rogers immune to Doctor Strange’s Spider-Man memory spell? • When leaks stop being accidents and start becoming the marketing strategy HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Dan Graney - YouTube: The Hubbubbery | Website: thehubbubbery.com FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, where you can score real discounts on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets - sometimes up to 12 percent off. Run by the same team behind the DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, Unlocked Magic makes planning your next trip to Central Florida easier and more affordable. Tell them Jim and Dan sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    49 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    How “The Small One” Became a Very Big Problem for Disney

    With Drew Taylor sidelined by a nasty case of the Christmas crud, Jim Hill flies solo for this end-of-year edition of Fine Tooning. After a bit of seasonal vamping, Jim dives into animation news before kicking off the first half of a deep-dive holiday history lesson. This week’s episode sets the stage for a story that begins with a modest Disney featurette and ends up triggering one of the biggest upheavals in the history of Walt Disney Feature Animation. NEWS • Avatar: Fire & Ash dominates the global box office with a massive $345 million opening weekend. • Angel Studios’ David surprises with a strong $22 million domestic debut, outperforming several major animated releases. • Zootopia 2 continues its historic run, crossing $1.27 billion worldwide and exceeding the original film by more than $200 million. • The Academy reveals its Best Animated Short shortlist, with notable inclusions and at least one eyebrow-raising omission. • Adult Swim renews Haha, You Clowns for two additional seasons after an initially underestimated debut. FEATURE • The origins of Disney’s 1978 animated featurette The Small One and why the studio once believed it would become a perennial holiday classic. • How Charles Tazewell’s mid-20th-century holiday stories caught Disney’s attention and lingered in development for nearly 15 years. • Behind-the-scenes tensions at Walt Disney Feature Animation in the late 1970s, including the controversial decision to hand directing duties to Don Bluth. • Why this seemingly small production planted the seeds for a massive creative and personnel shakeup soon to come. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Drew Taylor - IG: @DrewTailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR Unlocked Magic helps you save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets, sometimes up to 12 percent off. Plan ahead for your 2026 Central Florida trip by picking your dates, grabbing your tickets, and letting the savings add up at UnlockedMagic.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    36 min
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About

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network features weekly shows hosted by Jim Hill and his collaborators. The lineup includes The Disney Dish with Len Testa, Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Epic Universal Podcast with Eric Hersey, I Want That Too with Lauren Hersey, Marvel Us Disney with Dan Graney, The Case For with Chris Cox, and more. Each series offers industry reporting, history, analysis, and insider stories spanning Disney, Universal, animation, film, streaming, and themed entertainment. With over 25 years of online storytelling and thousands of hours of content, the network delivers trusted, in-depth coverage for fans, enthusiasts, and industry professionals.

Information

  • Creator
    Jim Hill Media Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2011 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1.4K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Jim Hill Media 2025
  • Show Website
    The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

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