Disney CEO Bob Iger discusses departure plans and the sale of ABC

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Bob Iger

Posted: Wednesday November 29, 2023 4:04pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney CEO Bob Iger says he will "definitely" step down as CEO of The Walt Disney Company at the end of his contract in 2026.

Speaking at the New York Times Dealbook Conference, Iger also said that the ABC Broadcast Network is not for sale, appearing to backtrack on previous comments that the idea of a sale was being considered.

Iger, who spent more than four decades at the Company, including 15 years as its CEO, returned to serve as Disney's CEO for two years in November 2022, with a mandate from the Board to set the strategic direction for renewed growth and to work closely with the Board in developing a successor to lead the Company after his term. The board extended his contract in July 2023 to serve as CEO through December 31, 2026

The Disney CEO told Cast Members at a Disney Town Hall yesterday, "I knew that there were a myriad of challenges that I would face coming back. I won't say that it was easy, but I've never second-guessed the decision to come back, and being back still feels great."

Watch the video below from CNBC with more from Bob Iger's comments today.

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SirwalterraleighMar 22, 2026

Naming an “internal” successor with a 25 year toil is not exactly a shot of adrenaline It’s not like we didn’t just see this….except of course we did I hope I’m totally wrong…which is often the case…but the first week was not arrow up

BagOfGroceriesMar 22, 2026

What happened is they named a successor, the successor is now in charge, and Bob was clearly ready to leave. He wouldn’t have thrown himself the celebration if he wasn’t. Sure, we don’t know if Josh will do a good job in the role, but treating Iger as the boogeyman isn’t gonna solve anything.

SirwalterraleighMar 20, 2026

So what has happened? You want the sad truth version?

BrianLoMar 19, 2026

Not the jokes. :) There were firm and unmovable beliefs that no successor would be named and his contract would be re-extended. These continued after they committed to the successor search and early 2026 timeline was announced as the boards target.

HauntedPirateMar 19, 2026

When will copious numbers of the “Thank You Bob!” button be available on eBay? Asking for a friend.

SirwalterraleighMar 19, 2026

It’s a terrible look. Someone can’t tell the difference between themself and their job It’s a forced attempt at a cult of personality Alot of That going around

SirwalterraleighMar 19, 2026

How are things in dimension X these days? 🤔

GimpYancIentMar 19, 2026

Move on? Leave? Gone? More like not in a position, readily visible, but lingering in the shadows, hanging around in the background lurking.

LSLSMar 19, 2026

I mean, he's not actually gone yet. And most of us were making jokes because he never really left before (and his short term return added what, like 2 or 3 years before he potentially moved on?).

HMFMar 19, 2026

Yes, so much so that I am 100% certain the person in the 2007 SSE garage scene is not supposed to be him. (sarcasm)

SirwalterraleighMar 19, 2026

You can be stale and run Starbucks…or an airline…or a brokerage Can you think of a company where stale is WORSE than Disney? I can’t think of one. They sell emotions…you have to constantly trigger them.

SirwalterraleighMar 19, 2026

He failed technology transition in a lot of ways… And all that other stuff was commitments that lead to over expansion…they weren’t capitalized to sustain it at that time. A couple of back to back recessions didn’t help much… Pixar was Eisner’s ego and temper. He didnt get along with Steve Jobs. Who Bob let dictate the direction of the whole operation for a couple years (he was scared of him)…and was bailed out by his death. Serendipity for bob. Actually…Bob had a lot of serendipity…the last 15 years the power brokers have “outlawed” recessions…which is dangerous and unnatural. But helps a company like Disney more than ANY. His luck has run dry a lot the last few years. The clover turned brown

BrianLoMar 19, 2026

So in the end: Iger left, a little early, on good terms, in a fairly organized and sign-posted fashion. Though I probably shouldn't expect any accountability of the missed predictions to the contrary.