Disney’s Broadway Concert Fundraiser Stream Canceled After Rights Dispute

An April 13th charity stream of a Disney on Broadway event has been canceled due to rights disputes, the fundraising group organizing the event announced over the weekend. Broadway Cares, a group aiming to raise money for COVID-19 assistance funds citing a disagreement with the American Federation of Musicians to allow the stream of the concert, which was recorded back in November originally to raise funds for the fight against AIDS.

The April 13th stream, featuring 79 performers and a 15-piece orchestra, was intended to raise money for performers, production members, musicians, and others during work shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In its press release, Broadway Cares said they had reached an agreement with several groups about streaming rights, but was unable secure a deal with the American Federation of Musicians to stream the performance without additional fees.

“At a time when our entire theater community faces days of darkness, this was a way to gather once again while raising money for an emergency assistance fund created to help all who made the evening happen,” the group said in a tweet thread discussing the cancellation.

We’ll update the situation, including a possible new streaming date, as details emerge.

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