• Loading stock data...
Monday, July 14, 2025

ESPN, Disney Channel Each Lost 2M Subscribers

  • Returning CEO Bob Iger wants to ‘quiet things down’ politically.
  • Disney’s hiring freeze to remain in place.
Walt Disney logo at pitch level inside stadium
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Consumer cord-cutting continues to hammer legacy media companies, with the Walt Disney Co. losing millions of cable TV subscribers in its last fiscal year.

Disney’s two largest cable TV networks, ESPN and The Disney Channel, lost 2 million subscribers apiece during the company’s year ending Oct. 1, 2022, according to Bloomberg.

Some of Disney’s other channels fared ever worse, with FX, Freeform and National Geographic losing 3 million subscribers each, according to a company filing. Disney also paid $900 million to acquire the remainder of BAMTech, which powers ESPN+ and other streaming platforms.

Disney Pays $900M for MLB’s Stake in Its Streaming Tech

Disney is buying the final piece of BAMTech that it didn’t already…
November 29, 2022

Disney is facing other business challenges besides cord-cutters and cord-shavers.

Starting next year, ESPN will have to fight off tech giants such as Amazon and Apple in negotiations to retain the NBA’s billion-dollar media rights.

The entertainment giant’s board of directors recently brought back longtime CEO Bob Iger to replace struggling chief executive officer Bob Chapek.

During a town hall meeting with Disney employees Monday, Iger warned there are challenging times ahead. The legendary CEO, who previously served 15 years in the role, declined to mention Chapek by name.

  • Disney’s hiring freeze will remain in place as the company reassesses its cost structure, Iger said. Employees at ESPN have been worrying for months about a new round of layoffs at the Worldwide Leader in Sports.
  • Iger dismissed reports Disney was considering a sale to Apple as “pure speculation.”
  • Iger’s revamped Disney will try to avoid controversies with the state of Florida and other areas in coming months. The returning CEO expressed his regret over Disney’s spat with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis — and indicated he wants to stay neutral in the culture wars.

“Do I like the company being embroiled in controversy? Of course not. It can be distracting and can have a negative impact on the company,” Iger said. “To the extent that I can work to quiet things down, I’m going to do that.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Fox Promotes Allison Williams to Laura Okmin’s Former NFL Sideline Role

Williams left ESPN in 2021 after declining to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Sinner Outduels Alcaraz for First Wimbledon Title and $4M Payday

The best two players in men’s tennis battled once again.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
NBC Sports
exclusive

NBC Hiring Ex-Hawks Exec Grant Liffmann As NBA Front Office Insider

Liffmann spent the last three years with Atlanta after covering the Warriors.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 10, 2025

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
July 8, 2025

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.
July 7, 2025

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.
July 2, 2025

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.