Disney extends CEO Iger's contract until the end of 2026

NEW YORK -- Disney announced Wednesday that it extended Bob Iger's contract through December 31, 2026, giving the long-running chief executive two more years to lead the entertainment giant.

Disney Chair Mark Parker said Iger -- who returned to the corner office in November 2022 -- had "once again set Disney on the right strategic path" and that the extra time would "allow ample time to position a new CEO for long-term success."

Iger, 72, won raves for his original tenure atop the California company from 2005 to 2020 before handing the reins to hand-picked successor Bob Chapek.

But Chapek suffered a number of stumbles as CEO, resulting in an abrupt shakeup late last year.

Under Iger's leadership, Disney acquired Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox. It also opened its first theme park in China -- the Shanghai Disney Resort -- and launched the Disney+ and ESPN+ streaming services.

The extension comes amid intensifying pressures in the video streaming business. Disney's service, Disney Plus, has seen subscriptions fall for the last two quarters.

Other challenges include a protracted writers' strike in Hollywood that has halted major Disney productions.

The company has also been embroiled in a messy spat with Florida Governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis. In May, Disney canceled plans for a new employee campus in central Florida amid the fight, which stems from Disney's criticism of a DeSantis-backed law banning school lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Agence France-Presse

Disney composer Sherman dies

Robert B Sherman, who composed classic Disney songs such as Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and It's a Small World (After All), has died in London at the age of 86.

With his brother Richard, the late musician wrote songs for films such as Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Jungle Book.

His death, on Monday, was announced by his son Jeffrey Sherman with a message on Facebook and confirmed by his agent Stella Richards.

'I have very sad news to convey,' his son said.

'My Dad, Robert B Sherman, passed away ... in London. He went peacefully after months of truly valiantly fending off death.

'He loved life and his dear heart finally slowed to a stop when he could fight no more.'

The Sherman brothers won two Academy Awards for Mary Poppins, including best song for Chim Chim Cher-ee.

They were nominated for several more Oscars, including for the title song from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, during their career, which spanned more than 50 years.

They were honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 1976.

The brothers enjoyed a 10-year association with Walt Disney in which they composed more than 150 songs for films, TV shows and Disneyland.

Their most famous compositions include A Spoonful Of Sugar in Mary Poppins, Trust In Me and I Wanna Be Like You from The Jungle Book, and Truly Scrumptious and Me Ol' Bamboo from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Their other Disney credits include the Winnie The Pooh series, Bedknobs And Broomsticks, The Sword In The Stone, The Aristocats and The Happiest Millionaire.

Jeffrey wrote on his Facebook page: 'I will write more about this incredible man I love and admire so much when I am better rested and composed. He deserves that.

'In the meantime, please say a prayer for him. As he said, he wanted to bring happiness to the world and, unquestionably, he succeeded.

'His love and his prayers, his philosophy and his poetry will live on forever. Forever his songs and his genius will bring hope, joy and love to this small, small world.

'I love you, Dad. Safe travels.'

source: http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=726163&vId=