Peter Rice, head of Disney’s entertainment and TV programming, including content for ABC News, was abruptly ousted a few days ago by Disney CEO Bob Chapek. The decision has reportedly caused a ripple effect that has some insiders questioning the decision.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the decision to fire Rice set off ripples of bewilderment and, for many, anger — from the uppermost circles of Hollywood influence to lower-echelon players.
“There are very few things that stun me,” says another one of the industry’s most seasoned executives. “This stuns me.”
Furthermore, insiders told the media outlet that this firing is the latest in a string of missteps by the Disney CEO. “Chapek has chosen another negative news cycle when he was just getting his feet back on the ground,” states another longtime communications exec.
There’s now speculation that the board at the company has already sent a message of something less than full belief by failing, so far, to renew Chapek’s deal with only months left before it expires.
“You let the CEO get within a year of his contract being up,” says one longtime industry power player. “That by itself is a statement of non-support. A vote of confidence is nonsense. It is the most Mickey Mouse company. It’s so dysfunctional.”
Finally, another Disney insider shares that morale in response to the Rice ousting is at a low. “It’s horrendous,” says one insider. “It’s not good for the company. Morale is terrible.”
“I wonder if Chapek has even been aware that Rice held Zoom town halls and Q&As throughout the pandemic that really made him a presence in the lives of us rank-and-file schlub,” adds another insider.
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
