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Bob Iger’s Shocking Admission No One Was Expecting

bob iger and Disney
Credit: Disney

The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and may not reflect the views of Disney Dining as a whole.

Bob Iger, the former CEO of the Walt Disney Company, played a pivotal role in the launch and success of Disney Plus. His strategic vision and leadership were instrumental in positioning Disney’s streaming service as a major player in the competitive market. Under his tenure, Disney acquired key assets like Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm (home of Star Wars), and 20th Century Studios, ensuring a vast library of content for Disney Plus subscribers to enjoy.

The cast of Disney's 2023 'Haunted Mansion' looks into the crystal ball, Disney+

Credit: Disney, Canva

Is Disney+ a Source of Pride?

Iger understood the importance of leveraging Disney’s rich history and acquiring iconic franchises, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars, to attract and retain subscribers. By investing in original content and exclusive releases, Disney Plus became a go-to destination for fans of all ages. The platform not only offers classic Disney movies and TV shows but also produces new, innovative series like The Mandalorian and WandaVision, captivating audiences worldwide.

Related: New Disney Plus Series Based Off Box Office Flop

mickey mouse in front of disney plus

Credit: Disney / Canva

As one of his most memorable successes, many fans believe that Disney+ is one of Iger’s biggest sources of pride. While that may be the case, Iger did make a shocking admission about the streaming service recently. As we previously reported, during a recent interview, Iger admitted that the Disney+ platform was behind on technology when compared to other competitors like Netflix, which Iger referred to as the “Gold standard.” On the topic of Netflix, Iger said:

“We need to be at their level in terms of technology capability. And one of the reasons why their margins are so much more significant than ours is because they have that technology. So our marketing expenses are significantly higher. Our churn rates are higher than they need to be.”

Taylor Swift Eras Tour Disney Plus Record

Credit: Disney+

Has Iger Given up on Disney?

While Disney+ has been an up-and-down investment for Disney, the service has been doing well as of late. The recent premiere of Taylor Swift: The Era’s Tour on the platform was a huge success overall and broke a streaming record for the service. Still, this admission brings up a different question altogether: has Iger given up on Disney?

During a transitional period like this one, fans and stockholders are looking to Mr. Iger to stand confidently behind the company. Many fans take this comment as Iger’s way of admitting the company is falling behind. Having such a large company’s CEO admit that other companies are besting him is perhaps a humble move but not necessarily a wise one.

While it may be a rocky road toward perfection, it is refreshing to hear Iger be candid about the state of Disney+ and its goals for the future.

About Eva Miller

Eva was born and raised in the beautiful state of Oregon but has since relocated and lives in New York City. Since she was young, Eva has loved to perform in musicals, especially Disney ones! Through performing, Disney’s music became the soundtrack of her childhood. Today, Eva loves to write about all the exciting happenings for the Walt Disney Company. In her free time, Eva loves to travel, spend time in nature, and go to Broadway shows. Her favorite Disney movie is 'Lilo and Stitch,' and her favorite Park is Disney's Animal Kingdom.