In a significant development at one of the world's most iconic entertainment firms, Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, has reportedly communicated to close contacts his desire to step away from the demands of the CEO role before his contractual term concludes on December 31. Sources with knowledge of the matter indicate that Iger has expressed frustration over internal conflicts at Disney's ABC network, particularly surrounding the short suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, which has contributed to his decision-making process.
Disney's board of directors is slated to meet in the upcoming week to deliberate and vote on Iger's successor. Despite the anticipated transition, Iger is expected to continue serving as CEO for several months following the announcement to facilitate a smooth leadership handoff and mentor the incoming executive. There is also potential for Iger to maintain a role within Disney's board or hold an ongoing position at the company post-transition, underscoring his enduring involvement with the organization.
The discussion surrounding possible successors has intensified among investors and industry observers keen to understand the company's future leadership trajectory. Bob Iger previously served a 15-year stretch as CEO before stepping down in 2020, at which point he appointed Bob Chapek—who advanced through Disney's theme park division—as his replacement. Iger remained engaged as executive chairman, providing counsel to Chapek, but the ensuing pandemic environment precipitated operational challenges and disagreements. Consequently, the board removed Chapek from his role in November 2022, prompting Iger's return to the CEO position.
Within the current search for a new chief executive, several senior Disney executives are under consideration. These include Josh D’Amaro, who leads Disney's theme parks operations; Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, co-heads of the entertainment division; and Jimmy Pitaro, the head of ESPN. Reports suggest D’Amaro is currently perceived as the leading candidate to succeed Iger.
James Gorman, chairman of Disney’s board and former Morgan Stanley CEO, has conveyed the board intends to finalize a decision regarding the CEO appointment within this financial quarter, aligning with the company's upcoming earnings schedule.
Disney is preparing to release its first-quarter earnings for fiscal year 2026 on Monday, February 2, prior to market opening. Analysts project earnings per share of $1.58, representing a decrease from $1.76 reported during the same quarter last year. Revenue estimates stand at approximately $25.6 billion, surpassing the prior year’s $24.69 billion. While the streaming segment continues to demonstrate positive momentum, traditional pay television operations have experienced headwinds amid shifting consumer preferences away from bundled TV packages.
Market response to Disney in early 2025 has displayed modest gains, with the stock price beginning the year at $111.35, peaking mid-year near $124.69, but facing challenges sustaining those levels. As of the last trading session, shares increased about 1.09%, closing at $112.80. Equity analytics highlight Disney's robust growth prospects and resilient valuation metrics, although short-term momentum indicators show weakness. Price trajectory analyses suggest favorable trends in the immediate and extended timeframes mixed with some intermediate volatility.