Disney President Dana Walden on the Future of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'
Key Points:
- Disney president Dana Walden is working on the future of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show on ABC, acknowledging the challenges of the late-night broadcast audience despite Kimmel's strong ratings and online viewership.
- Reports that Kimmel plans to leave the show in May 2027 after 24 years were denied by ABC, which called such claims speculative, while Kimmel's show has faced political pressures and FCC scrutiny related to controversial jokes.
- Walden attributed the underperformance of the live-action "Moana" film to its release proximity to the highly successful animated "Moana 2," noting the competitive market and the importance of timing to build audience demand.
- Despite the live-action "Moana" box office results, Disney leverages its intellectual property across multiple platforms like theme parks, merchandise, and streaming, aiming to create enduring content with long-term value.
- Addressing recent layoffs at Disney, Walden explained they were part of ongoing organizational evaluations amid industry challenges, emphasizing a voluntary retirement program that provided executives with options while focusing on future growth and adaptation.