Disney CEO & Chair Bob Iger yesterday "forcefully defended" ESPN's business at the company's annual meeting, according to Daniel Miller of the L.A. TIMES. Iger said, "ESPN is a healthy business and a large business ... and a growth business." Miller notes shareholders "mainly focused on ESPN" during the Q&A portion of the meeting because Disney's media network unit "posted a 6% decline in operating income" during the most recent fiscal quarter. Iger noted that ESPN "is the most-watched sports network in the country" and is "viewed by more than 200 million people across various platforms each month." Iger said that it was unlikely for ESPN to "grow at the rate it has over the last two decades" and it is trying to "ensure journalists and investors understand ESPN's strong position in the media marketplace." Iger: "We're not in any way taking matters lightly in terms of what's been said about ESPN." Iger added that the company is "exploring different ways by which it could distribute ESPN content." This comes after Disney networks recently "launched on the Sony PlayStation Vue service," offering a way "to reach younger viewers who are less inclined to subscribe to a traditional" TV package. ESPN is already on Dish Network's Sling TV streaming service (L.A. TIMES, 3/4).
