Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro said in a Friday interview with CNBC that the company’s parks segment produced unexpected strength in the most recent quarter. D’Amaro, who assumed the CEO role in March following a succession process, stated he was feeling confident about the company’s direction and emphasized that leadership has achieved clarity about strategic priorities while maintaining stability among the management team.
D’Amaro acknowledged investor concerns about the stock’s recent performance, noting it has declined more than 8% over the preceding 12 months. He stated the company is positioned well relative to other entertainment industry players and expressed belief in Disney’s ability to respond to macroeconomic headwinds affecting consumer spending on theme parks, though he stopped short of confirming whether additional price increases at parks were planned. The CEO said Disney would continue investing in its destinations while embracing technology more aggressively.
Streaming emerged as another key focus area for D’Amaro, who highlighted Disney+ as having achieved significant scale both domestically and internationally. He indicated the company is exploring a free, ad-supported tier as a potential entry point for new viewers who might eventually convert to paid subscriptions. D’Amaro also outlined a vision for integrating Disney’s various business units into a cohesive consumer experience where streaming, merchandise, and other services could be presented through a single platform.
Regarding ESPN, D’Amaro stated he had no interest in spinning off the sports division despite ongoing investor calls for such a move. He cited the value of Disney’s sports rights and strong viewership ratings as reasons to maintain the asset within the broader company. The CEO also addressed regulatory scrutiny facing the company, particularly from the FCC regarding ABC’s programming and diversity practices. D’Amaro said Disney would maintain its principled stance on journalistic integrity and would not accept external direction regarding broadcast operations.
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