Disney Chair & CEO Bob Iger yesterday appeared at Deutsche Bank's annual Media, Internet and Telecom Conference in Palm Beach, Fla., and a "significant portion of the conversation centered" on ESPN, according to Daniel Miller of the L.A. TIMES. Iger said, "I believe in the brand value of ESPN." He noted that more than 200 million Americans "accessed ESPN content via various platforms during a recent month." Iger also said that ESPN "must improve its digital products." He said, "First of all, we think that we’ve got to crack mobile even more successfully than we have before" (LATIMES.com, 3/8). DEADLINE's David Lieberman noted Iger "defended ESPN as investors fear Disney’s biggest profit generator has peaked as pay TV subscribers cut the cord or look for other ways to reduce their outlays." Iger: "What we’re seeing in the marketplace is not much different from what we anticipated." Lieberman wrote ESPN will "have to be part of skinny bundles offering fewer channels for a lower price." Iger said Dish Network’s $20-a-month Sling TV -- which includes ESPN -- "has done well." He added that others "are coming" (DEADLINE.com, 3/8).
