Ever since he came back as CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger has made quite a few big changes.
©Apple
He instituted several changes in the parks, initiated thousands of job cuts, and restructured some of the departments to help get Disney back on track financially and with its fans. But could more changes be on the horizon? With Iger’s contract having just been extended and the company still fighting financial issues…it’s likely. And now we know a little more about which changes may come.
Bob Iger appeared on “Squawk Box” with David Faber through CNBC on Thursday, July 13th, and he had some interesting things to say. Early in the interview, Iger mentioned some franchises that are key to Disney’s success, including Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. However, when asked about ABC, cable networks, FX, and National Geographic, he had a slightly different viewpoint.
©MasterClass
Faber asked Iger about ABC the network and cable networks as well. During the interview, Faber suggested that Iger could sell those businesses in an effort to help Disney financially, and Iger replied that those brands may not be core to Disney. Iger said, “We have to call it like it is.” He stated that, while those brands create content that is core to Disney, the business model is broken. He said that when he returned to the company, he discovered that the disruptive forces were greater than he expected.
©National Geographic
When Faber asked what Iger’s plan was for these businesses — whether they should be restructured or separated — Iger said he’d let Faber speculate. Iger is “very objective about their future” with the company. It looks like we’ll have to wait and see what happens. Whether Disney sells those businesses or makes some major changes, it almost seems certain that changes ARE coming.
©Disney | Walt Disney Company Headquarters
But for ESPN fans, you don’t need to worry. Iger went on to talk about sports favorably, saying, “I think sports stands tall in a sea of tremendous choice” and that Disney has tremendous advertising potential with ESPN. That’s a business that Disney plans to stay in for a while.
©ESPN
We’ll be on the lookout for any news about Disney’s plans for National Geographic, FX, and their other cable networks. With Bob Iger staying at the company for a few more years, there’s time to make some big adjustments.
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And Disney should! It has always been their money maker and so back to the business of making money and not spending it! Stop trying to send subliminal messages in your movies. I believe in that tried and true method, then maybe Disney won’t be looking to sell it all in about 3 years. Serious 🧐
In the context of this post, where do you consider Disney+ to fall?
Their park prices are obscenely high. Way too expensive.
And the kids are disintered in the streaming channel. So we will drop it also