Bob Iger News

Techcrunch, “We actually have been looking at multiple markets around the world with an eye toward prioritizing those that are going to help us turn this business into a profitable business. What that basically means is there are some markets that we will invest less in local programming but still maintain the service." Bob Iger has also promised to turn the company profitable once again with a hike in prices of its ad-free Disney and Hulu plans from October this year and a crackdown on password sharing which is expected to commence from next year. While terming the near-term environment as ‘challenging’, Iger said, “I returned to Disney in November, and I've agreed to stay on longer, because there was more to accomplish before our transformation is complete," The media conglomerate plans to raise the price of its ad-free Disney plan by $3, or about 27 per cent, to $14.

By Dawn Chmielewski

Walt Disney Company to Apple. While the idea of an Apple-Disney merger has been circulating for years, particularly due to Steve Jobs' past involvement on the Disney board, it hasn't materialized thus far. Some executives view it as an improbable notion. Nevertheless, as tech giants continue to carve out their share of the entertainment industry to cater to streaming audiences, the concept gains traction. Disney CEO Bob Iger has left room for such a merger in recent statements, although he indicated it's not currently in his immediate plans. As the entertainment landscape evolves, the feasibility of an Apple-Disney merger seems to grow. Tech companies are actively seeking content for their streaming platforms, leading to a more logical synergy between the two giants. However, Iger's comments suggest that the notion is not an immediate priority. To facilitate such a merger, Disney could potentially streamline its operations by divesting certain assets. Disney's CEO hinted at the possible sale of linear television assets, including ABC and FX, which could make the company a leaner and more appealing prospect for acquisition by Apple. This strategic move could signal a step towards the realization of an Apple-Disney partnership. One of the key challenges involves determining an appropriate purchase price. Additionally, government regulations under the Biden administration could impact the deal's feasibility. Regulatory bodies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Justice Department have increased scrutiny on significant corporate mergers, exemplified by their successful intervention in Paramount's proposed sale of Simon and Schuster to Penguin Random House.

ESPN is hunting for a strategic partner as it tries to bring order to the messy world of sports streaming—and secure its own future in the process. Talks with potential partners and investors have touched on several roles ESPN can play in the fragmented streaming industry, from carrying local broadcasts for pro sports teams to serving as an industrywide hub to stream any live game, people familiar with the discussions say.

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ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro says the network could take on a sports league as a minority partner as the network continues its transition from a cable channel to a digital company

SAG-AFTRA held its largest and most star-studded rally yet on Tuesday in Times Square

Hollywood actors and screenwriters is entering its second week with no sign that a swift ending will be achieved. For a week, actors including household names like Tina Fey, Kevin Bacon and wife Kyra Sedgwick, Rosario Dawson, David Duchovny and other stars have joined working class performers and writers on picket lines outside studios and corporate offices of streaming giants Amazon, MAX and Netflix.

Sean Gunn has slammed Bob Iger, Disney's chief executive officer (CEO), for his remarks on the ongoing strikes in the US by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Sean Gunn, seen in Guardians of the Galaxy and the web series Gilmore Girls, has also lashed out at Netflix over the minimal residuals received by the streaming app. Sean is the brother of Guardians of the Galaxy director and DC Film co-CEO James Gunn.

Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading.

Stocks that are trading heavily or have substantial price changes Thursday: Trade Desk, MillerKnoll rise; CryoPort, Fastenal fall

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Bob Iger will remain as CEO of The Walt Disney Co. through the end of 2026, agreeing to a two-year contract extension that will give the entertainment and theme park company some breathing room to find his successor

Investing.com — U.S. stock futures rose Thursday, extending the previous session’s gains after cooler-than-expected inflation data raised expectations of an early end to the Federal Reserve’s rate-hiking cycle.

Walt Disney's board on Wednesday extended Chief Executive Officer Robert Iger's contract by two years as the experienced leader who came out of retirement in 2022 battles long-term challenges to its film and television businesses. The board said in a statement that it aimed to maintain «continuity of leadership during the company's ongoing transformation.» Iger returned to Disney as CEO in November 2022, less than a year after he retired, vowing to stay for two more years to restore the business while seeking a more durable replacement after the company pushed out Bob Chapek, Iger's hand-picked successor. «There is more to accomplish before this transformative work is complete,» Iger said in a statement, adding that the board was continuing to interview internal and external CEO candidates.

Premier League cricket matches. Disney also shed 300,000 customers in the United States and Canada, where it raised prices last December.

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In this week’s newsletter, read about how a nonfungible token (NFT) protocol was affected by the FTX collapse leading to layoffs. Despite the effects of the FTX collapse, industry players within the NFT space are still confident in the recovery of NFTs. Meanwhile, Disney brought back metaverse-backer Bob Iger as its CEO, and check out how NFTs have taken center stage at Formula 1. And, don’t forget this week’s Nifty News featuring China-based tech companies offering FIFA World Cup fans a metaverse-like viewing experience of the soccer event. 

Metaverse-backer Bob Iger has announced a surprise return to his former role as CEO of Disney, taking over from now-former CEO Bob Chapek.