Disney CEO Bob Iger at yesterday’s town hall for staff “appeared to downplay" his earlier comments suggesting that he would be willing to sell off Disney’s linear TV assets, adding that the "strategic value" of the company’s traditional networks "remains ‘pretty significant,’" according to J. Clara Chan of the L.A. TIMES. Last summer, Iger told CNBC that the company’s TV networks -- which “include ABC, FX and Freeform -- ‘may not be core’ to Disney’s business,” resulting in a “flurry of interest from potential buyers.” Iger yesterday “remained relatively vague” about future plans for the company, even as he was joined by his top brass. No “major announcements were shared” and Iger did “not field questions from employees,” though both him and ESPN Chair Jimmy Pitaro reiterated that Disney “was in talks with potential partners for an over-the-top flagship ESPN offering with more product enhancements.” Both “demurred” when questioned by ABC World News Tonight anchor David Muir, who moderated the streamed event for employees, to “identify those possible partners” (L.A. TIMES, 11/28).
HOUSE OF MOUSE: With regard to Disney’s linear TV assets, Iger, per a source, said that he “regretted how a CNBC interview in July was interpreted,” telling Muir that he did “not think ‘everyone would run with a story that everything is being sold, which is not the case.’” He added that “no decisions had been made on the future of the company’s linear entertainment assets.” As for ESPN, Iger reiterated one of his top priorities is "turning ESPN into the preeminent digital sports platform and ultimately bringing ESPN direct to consumers instead of just through cable and satellite." Pitaro noted the company is “in market right now, doing research.” Pitaro: “We’re looking at things like timing, things like price point. Our mission is to serve the sports fan anytime, anywhere. So, if you want to continue to access ESPN in the traditional way through cable or satellite, you’ll be able to do that even once we take it over the top.” He acknowledged they are “in market talking to potential partners, looking through lenses like technology, marketing and then also content,” but noted that the company is also “prepared to go it alone if need be.” A source said that Iger declared that the company is "'fully prepared’ to do so," though he added that without partners it "could be more 'challenging'" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 11/28).
