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Disney Circles Character.ai as Chatbot Company Files For Chapter 11…

Disney is the stalking horse bidder for certain Character.ai assets in the chatbot firm's Chapter 11 case, weeks after hiring its former CEO; the plot thickens.

On air: Vera Bullock, Hank Ledger and Dr. Nina Byte on Coffee Talk
Published 8:25 AM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Photo: Anthony Quintano · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

▶ As it aired · Pop Culture

Watch it as it aired: Vera Bullock, Hank Ledger and Dr. Nina Byte on this story, from Coffee Talk at 8:25 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The Hollywood Reporter's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Disney+ — Photo: Anthony Quintano · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by The Hollywood Reporter: “Disney Circles Character.ai as Chatbot Company Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy”.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 8:25 AM ET on Coffee Talk, by Vera Bullock, Hank Ledger and Dr. Nina Byte.
Topics: Disney.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The Hollywood ReporterDisney Circles Character.ai as Chatbot Company Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorCharacter.ai has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and Disney is the stalking horse bidder for certain assets. Disney also recently hired the company's former CEO.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentSo they hired the boss first and then came for the furniture. I'm not saying the chatbots saw this coming, but I'd check what they've been whispering to each other.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorOr it's a mouse giving a lonely chatbot a new home with a castle.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA castle with a very large legal department.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorNow to football, because Hank is already sighing.

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