Iger is dealing with Disney's new streaming service and the erosion of cable TV subscribersGETTY IMAGES
Disney Chair & CEO BOB IGER remains the "most powerful person in entertainment" for the third year in a row, but his role is "not without challenges," according to a Q&A with Matthew Belloni of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Disney's "risky streaming service, set to launch in 2019 and aimed directly at Netflix, will cost billions, and the erosion of cable TV subscribers drags on the once-untouchable networks business." When asked how things at ESPN have changed since hiring JIMMY PITARO as President, Iger said, "I have nothing but praise for the job Jimmy Pitaro has done at ESPN. There's been a big debate about whether ESPN should be focused more on what happens on the field of sport than what happens in terms of where sports is societally or politically. And Jimmy felt that the pendulum may have swung a little bit too far away from the field. And I happen to believe he was right. And it's something, by the way, that I think JOHN SKIPPER had come to recognize as well. But Jimmy coming in fresh has had the ability to address it, I think, far more aggressively and effectively. He has brought back some balance" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 9/20). Also making the Hollywood Reporter 100 list of the "Most Powerful People in Entertainment" are Endeavor CEO ARI EMANUEL and Exec Chair PATRICK WHITESELL (No. 10), as well as LEBRON JAMES (No. 75) (THE DAILY).
