Disney chief Bob Iger. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
On Monday evening, as "Monday Night Football" faced its second consecutive blackout on YouTube TV, leaving about 10 million subscribers without access to the game, Bob Iger appeared on ESPN’s "ManningCast." During the brief interview, the Disney chief made no mention of the ongoing standoff between his company and Google’s pay-television service. And neither Peyton nor Eli Manning posed a question that might have prompted an answer.
That notable silence has defined Iger’s approach to the dispute since it erupted on October 30. Aside from corporate statements, Disney’s leadership has largely remained mum. But behind closed doors, Iger has not been entirely quiet. Indeed, according to people familiar with the matter, he addressed the impasse last week while visiting New York City for the 50th anniversary of “Good Morning America.”
During a visit with ABC’s "World News Tonight" team, Status has learned, Iger…
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Tim Davie speaks outside the BBC Broadcasting House. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
BBC Pushes Back: Outgoing BBC Director General Tim Davie tried to rally staffers Tuesday, urging them on a call "to fight for our journalism" after Donald Trump threatened to sue the broadcaster for $1 billion. Davie’s remarks followed days of turmoil over the editing of Trump’s January 6 speech in a “Panorama” documentary and Trump’s subsequent attacks on the BBC. While Davies, who resigned along with BBC News chief Deborah Turness, acknowledged "we have made some mistakes that have cost us,” he struck a defiant tone, telling staff they need to push back against claims of systemic bias within the institution. "This narrative will not just be given by our enemies, it's our narrative," he said. The call was moderated by a member of the BBC’s communications team and not a journalist, leading to "some disquiet" among staffers. But while Trump’s legal threat looms large over the Beeb ahead of a Friday deadline to provide a “full and fair” retraction, his lawsuit and billion-dollar claim may not have merit. "‘Panorama’ wasn't broadcast in the USA, and BBC iPlayer isn't available,” media lawyer Mark Stephens told BBC Breakfast. “So it's not clear that any U.S. court would have jurisdiction to hear the claim.”
► Would Mark Thompson be interested in a second stint as BBC director general? There has been some chatter about it in media circles. Asked about the matter, a CNN spokesperson told Status…
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