Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger met with top officials from the company’s television businesses to answer questions following news that the company may divest a third of its assets.
Iger recently set off alarm bells by speaking in an interview about the crisis Disney is facing and saying that his plan to save the entertainment giant includes selling a significant portion of its assets, implying that the networks and linear broadcasters were the target.
Following this announcement, thousands of employees working for Disney General Entertainment Content (DGEC) began to experience “high anxiety,” and the situation has worsened due to the lack of memos or public meetings on the subject.
In an attempt to calm workers, Iger tried to answer questions from senior managers of Disney’s television business and insisted on how valuable the television division is to the company.
Bob Iger moves to calm #Disney staff after sparking ‘high anxiety’ over potential sale of TV assets.https://t.co/P83KRvIciR pic.twitter.com/G2XGSNdiHF
— Kenny @Disney+ (@iKenny_J) July 19, 2023
According to a CNN source, the CEO spoke specifically about ABC News during the meeting, revealing that he was passionate about news and asserting that this is precisely why he believes it is important for the news network to transition to streaming.
“I happen to believe we will endure. It’s too good, it’s too important, and it’s really fun,” he said, according to the source familiar with Iger’s comments.
However, the insider noted that the CEO failed to calm his workers’ anxiety since Iger has previously said that linear TV might not be fundamental for Disney.
According to the source, Iger’s statements to senior management were “the usual jewel in the crown stuff — except now we know that he’s selling the jewel.” “It’s great to say he loves the jewel. It’s great to say that the jewel is important. It’s great to say that the jewel is fun. But he has revealed the truth: he wants to get the highest price he can for the jewel because he can’t afford it anymore,” he added.
