News The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors Extends Robert A. Iger’s Contract as CEO Through 2026

[Chi84]

Still miss my man Craig. Last time I watched one.

I miss Fernwood Tonight.

 

[Nubs70]

What public demand? Just no contract renewal after this extension. Have some time to bring in someone actually entertaining and funny that will actually raise the ratings.

...and make money

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Do you know why talk shows were created?
Like news they are dirt cheap to produce in the big scheme of things. Less so once celebrity became attached but the host is there to help promote whatever the guest is shilling for.
Still one of the least expensive ways to fill a couple of hours and sell ads

The problems is ad revenue has collapsed due to tech and society changes…

It’s why streaming is a bottomless pit and viewed as a bad bet. Cable was king because everyone was hostage and it was the ways ads got out.

It’s over

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The frustrating thing about modern media is that unlike in the 60s where people had different opinions, but they were mostly looking at reality through the same basic prism. Today, and this will probably get worse when traditional television inevitably dies, everyone is basically living in their own reality, and the news is custom tailored to whatever perception of reality they personally want to believe or acknowledge.

I have the same thought everytime a person talks about a Disney park and says “I think it’s better than ever and a great value!!”

Now? Compared to 10 years ago? 20?

That’s like the multiverse…a reality you choose…not the Cold hard one

Echo chamber pushed by tech is a threat to everyone

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

The frustrating thing about modern media is that unlike in the 60s where people had different opinions, but they were mostly looking at reality through the same basic prism. Today, and this will probably get worse when traditional television inevitably dies, everyone is basically living in their own reality, and the news is custom tailored to whatever perception of reality they personally want to believe or acknowledge.

Totally agree but I think it’s been happening for 30 years already, since the 90s we’ve had custom tailored news channels to confirm whatever we already believe, it’s just gotten worse over time.

I think a prime example of this is the Hallmark Channel. I laugh because my GF is/was a gigantic Hallmark Channel fan, that one channel has probably accounted for 90% of her TV viewing since we started dating over a decade ago, even that specific genre has now been split into Hallmark for the more left leaning crowd and the Great American Channel for the more right leaning crowd. We have become so polarized we can’t even share a single romcom channel anymore. She still watches both but I’d say GAC probably gets 80% of her TV time now, I also laugh because I can tell which one she’s watching within minutes of sitting down because they are both that obvious in their lean.

The downfall of traditional TV will make it worse but I think it’ll be another incremental change rather than a major change, just like we’ve been experiencing for the last 3-4 decades.

 

[HMF]

Totally agree but I think it’s been happening for 30 years already, since the 90s we’ve had custom tailored news channels to confirm whatever we already believe, it’s just gotten worse over time.

I think a prime example of this is the Hallmark Channel. I laugh because my GF is/was a gigantic Hallmark Channel fan, that one channel has probably accounted for 90% of her TV viewing since we started dating over a decade ago, even that specific genre has now been split into Hallmark for the more left leaning crowd and the Great American Channel for the more right leaning crowd. We have become so polarized we can’t even share a single romcom channel anymore. She still watches both but I’d say GAC probably gets 80% of her TV time now, I also laugh because I can tell which one she’s watching within minutes of sitting down because they are both that obvious in their lean.

The downfall of traditional TV will make it worse but I think it’ll be another incremental change rather than a major change, just like we’ve been experiencing for the last 3-4 decades.

We have really devolved as a society to the point we literally have to have two different channels of sappy movies catering to different sides of the national political divide? That is some pretty sad commentary on what our society has been reduced to and really out right depressing

 

[BrianLo]

It’s been a number of years I know…but are you suggesting there was anything “planned” about that?

The opposite. Since it is planned this time, I wouldn’t expect it to be erratic like last time.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Josh might as well just be a few more decades of Iger. Very little will change and the Company will continue to basically off itself in public perception and the IP mandate will creatively shackle WDI for years to come.

I’ve know CMs (not frontline, office workers who worked with him daily) who worked with Josh at TDA, CMs that I trust, who vouch for Josh being a compassionate person and a good executive. I think he definitely has the potential to be a good leader. I’ve met him in person and found him to be very amiable. This was before his rise to fame 6~ years ago now. Dana has no park experience and would be a disaster on many levels. TWDC needs a leader, not a figurehead.

What’s Eisner doing now a days?

Running a pro soccer club in the U.K.

 

[HMF]

I’ve know CMs (not frontline, office workers who worked with him daily) who worked with Josh at TDA, CMs that I trust, who vouch for Josh being a compassionate person and a good executive. I think he definitely has the potential to be a good leader. I’ve met him in person and found him to be very amiable. This was before his rise to fame 6~ years ago now. Dana has no park experience and would be a disaster on many levels. TWDC needs a leader, not a figurehead.

Running a pro soccer club in the U.K.

Regardless, whoever gets the job has to give me a sense that they are not just using the playbook Iger gave them before I can really trust them with the long-term health of the company.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The opposite. Since it is planned this time, I wouldn’t expect it to be erratic like last time.

He didn’t actually quit

And by all appearances the minute he fell off the radar he HATED it..

Get ready for the Reichstag fire

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

Back when Chapek took over, there were people in imagineering who said they missed how friendly Iger was whenever he would visit. Remember Meg Crofton? She was also said to be an extremely sweet person. Congratulations, you passed the low bar of not being mean to your subordinates, it doesn't mean you're fit to be a leader. It's a good quality to have on the side of a larger package of leadership skills. I absolutely want employees to be treated with respect and kindness by their superiors, not cruel a-holery. But it's far from the only thing that matters and isn't what is needed to turn things around.

If you don't like Iger for the way he has operated the company (which I do not), you won't like Josh either. He's not going to deviate from the status quo. I'll also be surprised if he lasts very long if he gets the job. He'll be way in over his head and also won't enjoy the same sort of clout and loyalty from the board.

 

[Stitchon]

Back when Chapek took over, there were people in imagineering who said they missed how friendly Iger was whenever he would visit. Remember Meg Crofton? She was also said to be an extremely sweet person. Congratulations, you passed the low bar of not being mean to your subordinates, it doesn't mean you're fit to be a leader. It's a good quality to have on the side of a larger package of leadership skills. I absolutely want employees to be treated with respect and kindness by their superiors, not cruel a-holery. But it's far from the only thing that matters and isn't what is needed to turn things around.

If you don't like Iger for the way he has operated the company (which I do not), you won't like Josh either. He's not going to deviate from the status quo. I'll also be surprised if he lasts very long if he gets the job. He'll be way in over his head and also won't enjoy the same sort of clout and loyalty from the board.

I do remember Tom Morris mentioning on social media that Chapek was the only executive he'd worked under who didn't take the time to introduce themself to everyone at WDI. It's not even a low bar, it's just a common courtesy and setting the tone for those who are working for you. It goes a long way to instilling confidence in your vision and your plans, regardless of what happens later. The buy-in from employees is important.

I do wonder if there's a reason they didn't pull a Rasulo / Staggs switcheroo and give Josh the CFO position (especially once McCarthy left) while putting Dana at Experiences for a bit. It seems like a good way to assess Josh's capabilities and to build Dana's resume up within the company.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I do wonder if there's a reason they didn't pull a Rasulo / Staggs switcheroo and give Josh the CFO position (especially once McCarthy left) while putting Dana at Experiences for a bit. It seems like a good way to assess Josh's capabilities and to build Dana's resume up within the company.

The company doesn’t need someone with superficial experience in a bunch of areas. It needs someone who recognizes their edges of their experience and capacity, and can effectively delegate.

 

[WondersOfLife]

People still watch traditional tv?

 

[Dranth]

Josh might as well just be a few more decades of Iger. Very little will change and the Company will continue to basically off itself in public perception and the IP mandate will creatively shackle WDI for years to come.

Based on what?

Last I heard are choices are Josh or Dana and Josh seems like the better of the two for park fans.

 

[Dranth]

f you don't like Iger for the way he has operated the company (which I do not), you won't like Josh either.

Same question I posed to HMF, based on what?

Not trying to be combative, I just know I spent time working for people where I did not agree with many of their choices on direction or how to run the business, but went along because it was my job to carry out their ideas/plans. Sure, I would disagree (sometimes vehemently) in private, but it was their decision to make.

As soon as I was put in charge, I changed a great many things.

Anyway, it just seems odd that so many are assuming Josh won't do his own thing. Sure, he might be more of the exact same, but my point is we don't know.

 

[wbostic12]

Same question I posed to HMF, based on what?

Not trying to be combative, I just know I spent time working for people where I did not agree with many of their choices on direction or how to run the business, but went along because it was my job to carry out their ideas/plans. Sure, I would disagree (sometimes vehemently) in private, but it was their decision to make.

As soon as I was put in charge, I changed a great many things.

Anyway, it just seems odd that so many are assuming Josh won't do his own thing. Sure, he might be more of the exact same, but my point is we don't know.

I mean, from what I understand, Iger sort of followed in Eisner’s shadow in order to get the job, and then ended up being very different from the leadership style of Eisner once he actually got the reins. I wonder if a part of this is the realization that you have to go through the whole drawnout process that the search committee/Iger has put in place, but with the understanding that you can do more that they actually want to do once you get in charge for real. Of course that’s all speculation, but it doesn’t seem completely unreasonable.

 

[Disstevefan1]

What’s Eisner doing now a days?

According to AI -

Michael Eisner remains an active "elder statesman" in entertainment, focusing on his investment firm, professional sports, and philanthropy. After two decades leading The Walt Disney Company, he transitioned into what he calls his "next act" by founding The Tornante Company.

His current major ventures and activities include:

• Sports Ownership: Since 2017, Eisner and Tornante have owned Portsmouth Football Club, a British soccer team. He is deeply involved in the club's long-term redevelopment, including investing millions into their stadium,
  Fratton Park
  .
• Media Production: Through Tornante, he continues to produce television and streaming content. Notable projects include the acclaimed Netflix series
  BoJack Horseman
  Undone
  for Amazon Prime, and the recently launched animated comedy
  Long Story Short
  (2025).
• Philanthropy: He and his wife, Jane, lead The Eisner Foundation, which recently shifted its mission to focus exclusively on intergenerational programs that bring children and seniors together.
• Industry Voice: Eisner occasionally makes headlines for commenting on current media issues. Recently, he publicly defended Jimmy Kimmel and criticized Disney's leadership for their handling of political pressures.
• Recent Sales: In 2022, he sold the iconic trading card company Topps to Fanatics for an estimated $500 million after owning it for 15 years.

 

[HMF]

I have the same thought everytime talks abort a Disney park and says “I think it’s better than ever and a great value!!”

Now? Compared to 10 years ago? 20?

That’s like the multiverse…a reality you choose…not the Cold hard one

Echo chamber pushed by tech is a threat to everyone

To quote Dame Judi Dench in the god-awful current incarnation of Spaceship Earth everyone will probably be living in a "New world custom made just for you" in the near future and it's going to make objective reality a far more complicated than it used to be to say the least because everyone will be looking at the world through their own terms.

 

[JD80]

In corporate structures it's very hard sometimes from the outside looking in to figure out what people would do when they are in charge. Especially on the executive level - it's half politics at that point especially when you're aiming for the top position which has been half of what Josh has been trying to do.

I'm excited to see what Josh has in store especially since he is championing this massive investment in the parks and over the last few years I haven't seen anything I don't like from big capex purchases to a string of smaller end repairs, upgrades and fixes to older attractions.