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| Robert Iger |
Walt Disney chairman and CEO Robert Iger at an investor
conference Tuesday discussed the outlook for Netflix, the cord cutting debate
and the future of the entertainment conglomerate's sports content juggernaut
ESPN.
According to THR, Iger appeared at the 22nd annual Goldman
Sachs Communacopia Conference in New
York and was asked about cord cutting by pay TV
users. "So far we don't see evidence of this occurring," he said. But
he added Disney and others must ensure they are offering content that is as
strong as seen in the past via the pay TV bundle. Netflix is a different offer
given its focus on library content, he argued.
Iger called the current pay TV network bundle "a really
good bargain" for consumers. "I think the consumer is getting a good
deal" from a $75 per-month pay TV package as does the pay TV operator,
which can sell customers broadband and other services.
Asked about Intel and Sony as possible new broadband video
service providers, Iger said Disney is always willing to work with
user-friendly platforms whether old or new – as long as they accept content licensing
terms in line with Disney's content deals with traditional pay TV firms.
Asked about potential sales or acquisitions of assets, Iger
said Disney many years ago sold its newspaper assets and about five years ago
its radio business. Overall, he said he was very happy with the overall Disney
asset portfolio and reiterated that he didn't see any major purchases on the
scale of Pixar, Marvel or Lucasfilm in the near-term.
New sports program deals start kicking in for ESPN in 2014,
drawing a question about the network's margin outlook. Iger said ESPN will not
rest on its laurels and sees opportunities of growth despite increased
competition.
He concluded that ESPN's "best times" are still
ahead of it.
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