2 Former Disney Executives Return to Advise Iger on Major TV Network Changes

Things could be CHANGING at the Disney Company in a big way soon.

©Disney

Disney’s Haunted Mansion joined the list of films that have underperformed on their opening weekends, despite high production costs. But, there are other struggles at the Walt Disney Company that current CEO Bob Iger must deal with too. Iger recently shared that he is considering making some MAJOR changes to the company’s linear networks, and now it looks like some help has been brought in to advise Iger as things move forward.

As a bit of context, Iger appeared on “Squawk Box” with David Faber through CNBC on Thursday, July 13th, and he mentioned that some franchises are key to Disney’s success, like Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. However, when asked about ABC, cable networks, FX, and National Geographic, he had a slightly different viewpoint.

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.

Iger said he is “very objective about their future” with the company.

©Disney

So…what’s happening now? Well, Disney CEO Bob Iger has reportedly hired two “former heirs apparent” to advise him in multiple decisions pertaining to the future of Disney entertainment. According to the New York Times, the executives who have reportedly returned — Kevin Mayer and Thomas Staggs — were senior executives during Iger’s first time as Disney CEO.

©Puck

Both former executives were once tipped as potential successors to Iger before Iger eventually selected Bob Chapek to take over as CEO. Mayer and Staggs now run Candle Media, an investment company that has purchased quite a few production studios.

Bob Chapek and Bob Iger ©CNBC

Going forward, these two former execs might assist Iger in selling those linear networks — like ABC — if that is the option Iger opts to go for, along with potentially selecting a strategic partner to assist with ESPN.

Considering that the search for Iger’s successor also continues, and Iger’s contract has been extended through 2026, it is also interesting to see these former potential successors return, even if it is just in an advisory way.

©Disney

More big updates could be coming soon as Disney plans to hold its next earnings call in early August. We’ll continue to keep you updated with any and all Disney news, so make sure to follow along for more.

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What do you think about the return of these two former executives to the Company? Let us know in the comments!

The post 2 Former Disney Executives Return to Advise Iger on Major TV Network Changes first appeared on the disney food blog.