Disney looking to restructure beleagured ABC network

Disney looking to restructure beleagured ABC network

Disney

MUMBAI: For quite a while now ABC has struggled to bring in the ratings and compete with the other three US broadcast networks NBC, CBS and Fox. It has also suffered major financial losses over the years.

Desperate for a turnaround its parent Disney is said to be looking at restructuring the organisation

A report in Variety has indicated that the broadcasters current chairman Lloyd Braun will leave the company. Another report in The Wall Street Journal stated that as Disney contemplates changes, the timing of such moves could be tricky as ABC prepares to present its fall schedule to advertisers next month.

Variety added that Braun has at least two years left as per his current deal. However for quite a while now industry insiders had expected that Braun would leave once the current season was over. Some analysts have attributed ABC's woes partly to its executive structure. The lack of a strong leader like CBS' Les Moonves has hurt the network they claim.

Meanwhile the Disney Channel Worldwide and ABC Cable Networks Group president Anne Sweeney could replace Braun. Another important person who could play a role in shaping the future direction of ABC is ESPN US programming head Mark Shapiro. He is said to be interested in a senior programming post at ABC.