Anna Daniels
There’s a new “big cheese” working with Mickey Mouse. Recently, Bob Iger stepped down as the CEO of the Walt Disney Company. Will the Iger-Chapek transition impact the streaming platform, Disney+? Here are some of the changes to Disney implemented since Bob Chapek became the CEO.
Bob Iger was the CEO of the Walt Disney Company
For about 15 years, Bob Iger was the Chief Executive Officer of the Walt Disney Company, overseeing the creation of Pandora: The World of Avatar and countless record-breaking movies, including Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame.
It was under Bob Iger that Disney launched its subscription service, Disney+, a streaming platform rivaling that of Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Go. Since its debut, Disney+ made thousands of hours of content available for viewing, including titles created by Marvel, National Geographic, Pixar, Star Wars, and 21st Century Fox.
Bob Chapek is now the CEO of Disney, following Bob Iger
Before he was the CEO of the Walt Disney Company, Bob Chapek held the title of Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. That meant he oversaw the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort. Prior to that, he was the Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
“With the successful launch of Disney’s direct-to-consumer businesses and the integration of Twenty-First Century Fox well underway, I believe this is the optimal time to transition to a new CEO,” Bob Iger said according to a statement from the Walt Disney Company.
“I have the utmost confidence in Bob [Chapek] and look forward to working closely with him over the next 22 months as he assumes this new role and delves deeper into Disney’s multifaceted global businesses and operations, while I continue to focus on the Company’s creative endeavors,” he continued.
Disney+ released ‘Frozen 2’ and ‘Onward’ ahead of schedule
With Bob Chapek now the CEO of the Walt Disney Company, some fans expect even more focus on Disney+. Since the switch, even more content has been made available on this streaming platform, although they were initially slated for a much later debut. This could be a result of the coronavirus surge, and the closer of Disney’s theme parks worldwide.
The company premiered Frozen 2 on Disney+ months ahead of schedule. The March 2020 release, Disney and Pixar’s Onward will become available on Disney+ during April. This is only weeks after its theatrical debut. Disney+ also added Disney Channel’s Sonny With a Chance to their release calendar, along with new episodes of multiple original shows.
“There are so many opportunities on the horizon. As successful as the company has been, we’re almost 100 years, I think our best years are ahead of us because we’re in a position where we’ve got so many great creative engines to tell stories,” Chapek said, according to Deadline.
“Now we have a distribution system so to be able to take that content and take it directly to all of you without necessarily having to go through a third party that somewhat limits what we can do. I have never been more excited,” he added.
To learn more about Disney+ and to subscribe, visit their website.
Written by: Cheat
