Peter is out; Dana Walden is new Disney chairman

The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek announced a dramatic leadership shake-up on Thursday, including the dismissal of its top TV executive Peter Rice.

Chepak has named Dana Walden as Chairman, Disney General Entertainment Content. In this role, Walden will lead the company’s general entertainment content engine that creates original entertainment and news programming for Disney’s streaming platforms and its cable and broadcast networks. She will have oversight of ABC Entertainment, ABC News, Disney Branded Television, Disney Television Studios, Freeform, FX, Hulu Originals, National Geographic Content and Onyx Collective. Walden previously served as Chairman, Entertainment, Walt Disney Television and succeeds Peter Rice, who is leaving the company. Her appointment is effective immediately, and she will report directly to Chapek.
“It is an incredible honor to be asked to lead this amazingly talented team—they are truly the absolute best in every respect—and I am grateful to Bob for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Walden said. “Disney General Entertainment’s culture of creative excellence and originality has made us home to many of the most talented creators in the business. I am humbled to lead this team, and I am confident that together, we will continue to build on the foundation of culture-defining entertainment we have achieved so far,” said Walden.
Walden joined Disney in 2019 with the company’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox, and in her role leading Entertainment for Walt Disney Television, she oversaw Disney Television Studios (20th Television, ABC Signature, 20th Television Animation and Walt Disney Television Alternative), the original entertainment slates and content marketing for ABC, Freeform, Hulu Originals and Onyx Collective.
According to reports, Peter Rice, the company's chairman of entertainment and programming, has been fired by the CEO. Chepak reportedly told Rice that he was not “suited to the new Disney culture.”
Rice, who joined Disney when the firm bought 21st Century Fox, was brought to Chapek's office on Monday and relieved of his duties in a meeting that lasted less than 10 minutes, according to media sources. According to reports, the CEO informed Rice that he was not suited to the "new Disney culture."
Rice stated in a message to workers: “I am so proud of the work we have done together, the friendships we have forged and the consistent success we have celebrated. We have the honour of working in the world’s greatest and most creative industry at a time of enormous change. In the midst of this, together we have created amazing and award-winning television shows and I am eternally grateful for your kindness and generosity on the journey.”
Chapek, in his own note sent out on Thursday, said: “Dana is a dynamic, collaborative leader and cultural force who in just three years has transformed our television business into a content powerhouse that consistently delivers the entertainment audiences crave,” Chapek said. “Her well-earned reputation for championing creative talent and developing programming that truly captures the cultural zeitgeist has resulted in hit after hit, from ABC’s Abbott Elementary and Onyx Collective’s Academy Award-winning Summer of Soul, to Hulu Originals like Only Murders in the Building, Dopesick, The Dropout and The Kardashians. She and Peter have worked closely together for years to create the best programming in the industry, and I can think of no one better than Dana to lead Disney General Entertainment to even greater heights.”
According to the reports, Rice was reportedly eyeing a replacement for Chapek, who has made a number of mistakes since taking over from long-time Disney CEO Bob Eiger in early 2020, including the company's stance on Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' policy. Chapek's contract expires at the end of February 2023, and there has been no indication that it would be renewed.
In the midst of the turmoil, Disney board chair Susan Arnold expressed faith in the CEO, saying: "Bob and his leadership team have the support and confidence of the board."