We weren’t the only ones shocked in 2022 when Bob Chapek stepped down as CEO of the Walt Disney Company and Bob Iger, who had previously retired as Disney’s CEO, came back to the role.
©Disney
Since then, Iger has had his work cut out for him, including focusing on streaming as his #1 priority, as well as turning things around for the parks and dealing with the whole Reedy Creek situation. However, Iger won’t be sticking around as CEO forever, and now we know that Iger will be stepping down in a few years.
According to CNBC’s Alex Sherman, Iger was recently interviewed during the New York Times Dealbook Summit. During this interview, Iger commented that he will “definitely” step down as CEO of the Walt Disney Company in 2026 when his current contract expires. He also said that the process of succession (who will follow after him as CEO) is currently “robust.”
©Disney
Another thing Iger discussed was about Disney’s legacy assets. There has been a lot of speculation about the company potentially selling the ABC Network, but Iger reiterated that it’s not for sale. He did suggest that Disney could sell off non-core assets, though.
©ABC
Recently, Disney announced an $8.61 billion deal to acquire the rest of Hulu from Comcast. Iger mentioned that he put a “rigorous” process that helped the company make that decision. At the end of the year, Hulu and Disney+ will be merged into one single app.
©Hulu
Iger discussed how high the bar is when it comes to getting people to leave their homes and streaming to see movies in theaters. He also spoke about how he feels the company has made too many sequels. Iger did say that the company would only greenlight sequels if they have the quality to be standalone movies. So it seems that he feels positive moving forward with the previously-announced Toy Story sequel, as well as the next two Frozen films.
We’ll be keeping an eye out for more big Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB for more.
Bob Iger Has Made Two Massive Changes at Disney
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I wish it were sooner for this misguided and morally bankrupt man to be leaving, but I will take 2026, if that is the best that the Board can do. Based upon the quality of the creative output and the corporate decisions made by Disney, other senior leaders need to be sent packing also. And new blood is needed on the Board.
Nothing but more of the same. Chapek 2.0. Good Luck Bob. Maybe Peltz can turn things around.
It’s very kind in saying that Chapek “stepped down”. He was shown the door.
I’ve been a supporter of Iger considering the remarkable success that the company had under his leadership, but he seems to say one thing and the company actually does another. He states the reliance on sequels, yet during other interviews he has spoken with enthusiasm about the upcoming Toy Story, Frozen and Inside Out sequels. The studios are struggling to get the public to get excited about sequels or original concepts.