News Broadcasting
Disney’s Eisner tags No. 2 Iger as the successor
MUMBAI: Disney’s CEO Michael Eisner has finally broken his silence and has anointed company’s second-in-command, the president and COO, Bob Iger as his successor.
In the protracted fight to oust Eisner from control of Disney, a chief complaint about the longtime chairman was that he had refused to name a successor. The news comes months after the ouster movement failed to entirely uproot Eisner.
Eisner, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, said that Iger was his choice to take over the media and entertainment empire at his retirement, which could come in 2006 when his contract expires.
According to media reports, Eisner is quoted as saying about Iger that, “There’s nobody who has a better education and training to do that job.”
While Iger has responded favourably, as has told Times. “I have a right to be taken seriously. I feel I know the company well. I have the knowledge. There comes a time when it’s appropriate to say, ‘Hey, this is a job I’m interested in.’ “
But all depends on how seriously Disney board will take suggestion and how well both Eisner and Iger do over the coming year, the reports indicate.
In March, Eisner was effectively demoted from chairman and CEO to CEO as a defensive measure by the board to prevent his full ouster when a huge no-confidence vote was delivered by major stockholders at the company’s annual meeting.
But there are likely to be some conflicting views as the reports indicate that the former No. 2 at Viacom, Mel Karmazin is also being considered for the post, the reports indicates.
The reports indicate that the biggest barrier to Iger’s claim to the CEO slot will be his performance overseeing ABC, thus far. ABC has finished fourth among households and adults 18-49 last season, dipping 19 percent versus the previous year among 18-49s. A big part of the problem, has been the tendency of both Eisner and Iger to micro-manage, often with disastrous results.
But the network has been widely hailed for its new programming slate for the 2004-’05 season, which may be the strongest of any network based purely on content and a strong cookie point for Iger, indicate the reports.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
