The Walt Disney Company is exploring more licensing of its films and television series to rival media outlets as pressure grows
The Burbank, California-based entertainment giant is seeking to earn more cash from its content library, according to people familiar with the discussions who asked not to be identified as the talks are private, a Bloomberg report stated.
The move would represent a shift in strategy, as Disney has in recent years tried to keep much of its original programming exclusively on its Disney+ and Hulu streaming services.
A spokesperson for Disney declined to comment, Bloomberg said.
Disney is under pressure to improve its financial performance and change its streaming strategy. After Disney reported a $1.5 billion loss for its online video business in the third quarter, the board fired Chief Executive Officer Bob Chapek, replacing him with Bob Iger, who had previously held that job for 15 years.
Among his many challenges, Iger must also cope with a proxy fight by activist Nelson Peltz, who’s seeking a seat on Disney’s board and pushing for better performance.
Iger, 71, will share more of his plans when the company reports financial results on February 8, but he has already taken steps to reverse decisions made by his predecessor. He offered free photos and more lower-price tickets to theme-park guests irked by rising fees.
The longtime media executive has promised to redesign the company’s organizational structure, in particular an unpopular move by Chapek that put decisions on where and when to release films and TV shows in the hands of distribution executives that don’t make the programs.
Iger has said he wants to return more decision making to creative executives, and put the restructuring in the hands of his chief financial officer Christine McCarthy, ESPN boss Jimmy Pitaro, Disney studios head Alan Bergman, and Dana Walden, who chairs Disney’s general entertainment group.
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