One of Walt Disney Co.'s top television executives, once
considered a serious contender to become Disney's next chief
executive, will resign next year, the company said Tuesday.
Disney Media Networks Co-Chairman Anne Sweeney, who oversees the
company's ABC broadcast network and Disney Channel and ABC Family
cable channels, said she would leave in January 2015 to pursue a
career in television directing.
Disney didn't immediately name an executive to replace the
18-year company veteran.
The announcement comes as the cable channels under Ms. Sweeney
have been performing well and expanding overseas, but as revenue
and operating income at the ABC network have declined.
Once frequently mentioned on a short list of candidates to
replace Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger, who plans to retire in
June 2016, Ms. Sweeney hasn't recently been named as a likely
replacement by company insiders. Chief Financial Officer Jay Rasulo
and parks & resorts chief Thomas Staggs are now viewed as the
top contenders.
Write to Ben Fritz at ben.fritz@wsj.com
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