Chad HaefeleIn theme park fandom, this is nuclear level news.
https://deadline.com/2022/11/disney-bob-iger-returns-ceo-bob-chapek-out-1235178223/
Meet the new Bob, same as the old Bob.
Alex@chadH Based on reactions it seems like a big deal, but I admit I don't know enough to understand why. The article doesn't really clarify.
@Avatrix There's a prevailing narrative among fans that Disney parks have lost their way, and that Chapek is at fault for prioritizing $ over guest experience.
I think the truth is that the parks are the only big part of Disney not facing an existential threat, so they're leaning on them as a cushion. Changing CEOs won't magically undo what's gotten so frustrating about the parks.
Chapek is out because of Disney's overall financial picture, not because he upped the price on popcorn.
@chadH woah. I would not have imagined, given Disney+ and movies coming back.
@Avatrix yeah it's counterintuitive, but the division that includes Disney+/Hulu/Espn+ lost 1.5 Billion last quarter.
I don't think it's ever had a profitable quarter since Disney+'s launch, they're absolutely burning money to make original content and hook people. Stock price is down by 1/3 from a year ago.
@chadH Wow! I would have sworn I read articles about Disney+ already being profitable because they picked up so many subscribers catching up with Netflix. Clearly PR folks doing their job well to present a spin.
Aside from that, I'd be happy to hear about the parks refocusing, since I'll be starting to take my kids in a year or two.