Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger watches the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers game at Lambeau Field on November 10, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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disney We’re ready to welcome our next CEO.
On Monday, the company’s management outlined its recent successes in its quarterly earnings report. CEO Bob Iger has insisted that Disney will be ready to seize momentum once his soon-to-be-named successor picks up the baton.
“I’m extremely proud of everything we’ve accomplished over the past three years to put Disney on a continued growth trajectory,” Iger told investors Monday. “I’m inspired and energized by the opportunities that lie ahead for this great company.”
Iger took back the CEO job in late 2022 after a succession plan involving former park president Bob Chapek failed. Disney selected Chapek to replace Iger in 2020, but fired him two and a half years later, reversing many of the changes he implemented.
Now, Disney is hoping the second handover will be smoother, cushioned by a path to growth.
Disney’s board of directors is scheduled to meet this week to vote on the company’s next CEO, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing internal matters. The company previously said it would announce Mr. Iger’s successor in the first quarter of this year.
“I think what’s remarkable is that when we came back three years ago, there was a huge amount of things that needed to be fixed,” Iger said by phone Monday. “But anyone who runs a company also knows that you can’t just solve problems. You have to prepare your company for the future… but you have to take steps to create opportunities for growth.”
Disney on Monday beat Wall Street expectations for both revenue and profit for its fiscal first quarter.
The company’s experiences division, which includes theme parks, resorts and cruises, had quarterly sales of more than $10 billion for the first time. Disney Experience Chairman Josh D’Amaro is one of the top candidates to be named the company’s next CEO.
Industry and Disney officials expect D’Amaro to be named Iger’s successor, but the decision ultimately rests with the Disney board and will not be finalized until the board votes.
“The Board of Directors has not yet chosen the next CEO of The Walt Disney Company. We will make an announcement once a decision is made,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement, declining to comment on when the next board meeting will be held.
Iger said Monday that he is “very bullish” on the parks business and its ability to grow. Disney is currently planning to develop a theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, has more cruise ships in service, and is in the midst of a previously announced $60 billion investment in theme parks over the next 10 years.
Meanwhile, Disney’s entertainment division — the division responsible for the company’s television networks, streaming and theatrical releases, and perhaps the one in need of the biggest turnaround in years — saw revenue rise 7% over the same period. Disney stopped touting streaming subscriber growth this quarter, but provided guidance that shows the company is confident it will continue to grow and make up for declines in traditional TV.
While theme parks, resorts and cruises drive Disney’s profits, the focus is often on its television, streaming and movie businesses. After years of box office slump, Disney will take over the top spot in 2025, and on Monday, Disney executives touted what’s ahead.
“Looking back at just a few years ago, when our movie business was impacted by COVID-19 and our streaming business was clearly not in an acceptable situation, it’s clear that the future of both of these businesses, or let’s call it entertainment, is bright and growing,” Iger said during the company’s earnings call.
CNBC previously reported that Dana Walden, co-chairman of Disney’s entertainment division, is also one of Iger’s runners-up for the CEO position.
Former Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman is in the process of choosing his successor. There has been recent speculation in D’Amaro’s favor, given the attention paid to theme parks in recent years.
“In a world that is changing so much… it was a mistake to try to maintain the status quo,” Iger said Monday of Disney’s last leadership change.
“And I’m confident that my successor will not do that,” he said. “I think they’re going to be a good resource in terms of the strength of the company, the many opportunities to grow, and the expectation that we have to continue to change and evolve as well in a changing world.”
— CNBC’s Julia Boorstin contributed to this report.
Correction: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Morgan Stanley.
