Bob Iger Talks Hulu, Sports Streaming, and ESPN at Morgan Stanley Conference
With both Nelson Peltz and Blackwells gunning for boards on the Walt Disney Company Board of Directors, Bob Iger is consistently making a pitch to shareholders.
The Disney CEO got another chance to grab the spotlight at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference yesterday, where he was asked questions about various topics, from the Disney Parks to streaming to his own future with the company.


Photo: Getty
In response to Nelson Peltz’s suggestion that Disney phase out Hulu and eliminate Hulu+ Live TV, Iger stated that, in the long term, Hulu fits “very well” into Disney’s streaming plans, “even though we may not turn it into a global brand.”


Photo: Disney+
Iger said Hulu has “built a good brand” with “great content.” He then cited The Bear and Shogun as two examples of the streamer’s success.
Disney’s New Sports Streaming Venture
Outside of Hulu, Iger also discussed Disney’s joint venture with Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. to create a new “sports-centric” streaming service. The CEO characterized the new bundle as “pro-consumer.”


Photo: Disney
“You’ve got a lot of young people who have not subscribed to the multichannel fat bundle, and you have a lot of people that used to be subscribers that lapsed,” Iger said. “We want them in… We’re trying to provide them a less expensive, more focused opportunity.
Ultimately, Iger says that Disney is trying to straddle the line between linear television and streaming.


Disney/Fox/Comcast/Ringer illustration
“Our plan is to continue to take advantage of linear [TV] in terms of the revenue and profits that it generates, but at the same time making the transition.”
The Future of ESPN
Finally, Iger discussed the future of ESPN.
“Ultimately, way down the road, ESPN will be a fully digital platform,” he said.


Photo: ESPN
That platform will integrate sports betting and shopping to create an all-inclusive experience.
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