News

Is Bob Iger right? Is broadcast TV dead?

Published

2 years ago

July 26, 2023

ticker NEWS

The Walt Disney Company is one of the world’s largest media organisations. So when its CEO says that television might no longer be core to its business, writes Ticker’s Ahron Young.

Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, shocked the industry when he said the company is contemplating the sale of ABC Television.

He says the TV assets may not be integral to Disney’s future.

That’s a shocking assessment of the industry and cannot be ignored.

“After coming back, I realized the company is facing a lot of challenges, some of them self-inflicted,” Iger told CNBC.

Disney is going to be ‘expansive’ in its thinking about the traditional TV business, leaving the door open to a possible ‘sale of the networks,’.

‘They may not be core to Disney,” Iger said.

‘There’s clearly creativity and content that they created at its core to Disney, but the distribution model, the business model that forms the underpinning of that business and that has delivered great profits over the years, is definitely broken,” Iger added.

What that means for the broader industry is uncertain. Television is still big business, albeit a slowly dying one. A slow death is better than a fast death.

Iger of course built his career at ABC in New York.

Cast on the set of one of ABC television’s most profitable shows, Good Morning America.

Disney’s TV assets

Disney’s extensive television portfolio, which encompasses properties such as broadcaster ABC and cable networks including National Geographic and FX, could potentially be up for sale.

While Iger did not explicitly confirm the sale, he acknowledged that these properties might not align with Disney’s core focus and emphasized the company’s objective evaluation of their future.

Having previously served as a senior executive at ABC, Iger expressed his belief that linear television is an industry in perpetual struggle.

He says they are plagued by a fundamentally flawed business model.

He stated that the transformational forces unleashed by new technologies have severely impacted traditional TV.

However, Iger made a notable exception for ESPN, the renowned sports media giant that Disney has owned since 1996, highlighting the company’s distinct approach to its evaluation.

In contrast to the broader television landscape, Iger pointed out that ESPN has navigated the industry’s evolution more successfully.

The impact of technology on ESPN has been different from that on traditional linear TV networks. Iger’s statement implies that Disney views ESPN as a valuable asset within their portfolio, distinct from the other TV properties they own.

With this perspective, Iger’s comments suggest that Disney is open to considering strategic decisions regarding their television properties.

While he acknowledged the challenges faced by the industry as a whole, he emphasized the need for Disney to critically assess the alignment of each property with the company’s core objectives.

News

Yom Kippur synagogue attack in Manchester leaves two dead

Synagogue attack in Manchester on Yom Kippur kills two; suspect shot dead by police in terror incident

Published

3 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Ahron Young

Synagogue attack in Manchester on Yom Kippur kills two; suspect shot dead by police in terror incident

In Short:
– Two people were killed when a man drove into pedestrians and stabbed a security guard during Yom Kippur.
– The suspect, wearing an explosive-like vest, was shot dead by police; two further arrests followed.

Two people were killed on Thursday when a man drove a car into pedestrians and stabbed a security guard outside a synagogue during Yom Kippur ceremonies, UK police confirmed.

This was a vile terrorist attack that attacked Jews, because they are Jews.

Antisemitism is a hatred that is rising, once again. Britain must defeat it, once again.

To every Jewish person in this country: I promise that I will do everything in my power to guarantee you the… pic.twitter.com/DAd9OaGNMc

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 2, 2025

The suspect, reportedly wearing a vest resembling an explosive device, was shot dead by police after they responded to the incident at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Northern England.

British authorities declared the attack a terrorist incident. The police suggested they were aware of the attacker’s identity but could not verify it at that moment. Following the attack, two additional arrests were made.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, having interrupted his participation in a European summit to address the situation, pledged enhanced security measures for Jewish communities, noting rising antisemitism in the UK since the conflict escalation following Hamas’s October 7 assault on Israel.

We are deeply concerned by reports of a violent attack at a synagogue in Manchester today. We unequivocally condemn this act of violence. pic.twitter.com/niGBdI4heB

— MCB (@MuslimCouncil) October 2, 2025

Starmer expressed solidarity with the Jewish community, acknowledging their fears and confirming his commitment to counteract rising hatred.

Injured Victims

As the situation unfolded, three other individuals remained in serious condition.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as police evacuated vulnerable individuals from the synagogue, where many attendees were in traditional dress.

The prompt actions of security staff and law enforcement were credited with preventing further harm. King Charles expressed his deep shock and sorrow regarding the incident.

Leaders

Cyber security shifts redefine critical infrastructure in APAC

Cyber security evolution prompts redefinition of critical infrastructure in Asia Pacific amid rising digital threats

Published

20 hours ago

October 2, 2025

Nathan Langridge

Cyber security evolution prompts redefinition of critical infrastructure in Asia Pacific amid rising digital threats.

In Short:
– Cyber security incidents in Asia Pacific redefine critical infrastructure, expanding its scope beyond just industrial machinery.
– New strategies emphasise visibility to protect crucial sectors like banking, finance, and telecommunications from cyber threats.

The rise in cyber security incidents in Asia Pacific is reshaping the definition and protection of critical infrastructure. New digital and operational technology risks are prompting stakeholders to reconsider conventional beliefs that critical infrastructure is primarily industrial machinery behind high fences.

Michael Fisher from Garland Technology discusses this evolving landscape. Critical infrastructure now encompasses essential services such as banking, finance, and telecommunications, expanding beyond traditional definitions.

The convergence of IT and operational technology (OT) networks increases cyber security risks. Many OT services were not designed with cyber security in mind, leaving them vulnerable to cyber attacks. Industries most at risk include telecommunications, banking, finance, and utilities, where any disruption can significantly impact society.

Increased Visibility

Fisher highlights that traditional cyber security alone is insufficient to secure these infrastructures. Effective protection requires a new approach focused on visibility. Garland Technology’s mission is to provide visibility to upstream cyber security platforms, eliminating blind spots.

Governments and businesses must recognise their roles in combatting cyber threats. Australia’s Security of Critical Infrastructure Act is a step towards increasing corporate responsibility in recognising critical infrastructure and ensuring compliance with security measures.