Part 10/13:
Bob Iger, Disney’s CEO until recently, emphasized in July that live sports are core to Disney’s future, and hinted at the possibility of selling off linear channels—a move consistent with a broader industry trend towards direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming platforms. Iger’s return to the helm reinforces this strategic shift, where Disney looks to streamline its portfolio and focus on streaming services like Disney+ and ESPN+.
If live sports are scaled back significantly or exported to external platforms, the valuation of ABC and its sister channels could plummet. Without live sports, the networks risk becoming less competitive compared to CBS and NBC, which still maintain strong sports rights and remain dominant in live TV ratings.