Dana Walden takes over as Disney chairman of entertainment, Peter Rice out

Walt Disney Television’s former chairman of entertainment, Dana Walden, has been confirmed as chairman of Disney General Entertainment (DGE) after incumbent Peter Rice was ousted from the role.

Peter Rice

CEO Bob Chapek is said to have removed Rice earlier this week as part of a strategic reshuffle.

In his role, Rice had oversight of Disney+, Hulu and Star and its cable and broadcast networks. The DGE portfolio includes 20th Television, ABC Entertainment, ABC News, ABC Signature, Disney Branded Television, Freeform, FX, Hulu Originals, National Geographic and Onyx Collective.

Both Rice and Walden joined Disney in 2019 when the company acquired 21st Century Fox’s television and film assets in 2019.

Previously, Rice was president of 21st Century Fox and chairman and CEO of Fox Networks Group, while Walden was co-head of 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Television Group.

Rice’s unexpected departure represents a major shake-up by Chapek, who officially succeeded longtime Disney head Bob Iger last year.

Chapek himself has encountered a number of speed bumps since taking Disney’s top job, including a lawsuit with US actor Scarlett Johansson over lost theatrical revenues after blockbuster Black Widow was released simultaneously in cinemas and on Disney+. Disney and Johansson eventually reached a settlement.

He was also criticised for Disney’s response to an anti-gay bill in Florida, which caused outrage at the company earlier this year. Chapek later apologised but there are lingering suggestions that his position is not guaranteed in the long term.

After news of Rice’s dismissal broke, Disney’s board of directors issued a statement saying that Chapek and his team “have the support and confidence of the board.”

In a statement announcing Walden’s promotion and Rice’s departure, Chapek said: “Dana is a dynamic, collaborative leader and cultural force who in just three years has transformed our television business into a content powerhouse that consistently delivers the entertainment audiences crave,” said Chapek.

Dana Walden

“Her well-earned reputation for championing creative talent and developing programming that truly captures the cultural zeitgeist has resulted in hit after hit, from ABC’s Abbott Elementary and Onyx Collective’s Academy Award-winning Summer of Soul, to Hulu originals like Only Murders in the Building, Dopesick, The Dropout and The Kardashians. She and Peter have worked closely together for years to create the best programming in the industry, and I can think of no one better than Dana to lead Disney General Entertainment to even greater heights.”

Walden said: “It is an incredible honour to be asked to lead this amazingly talented team — they are truly the absolute best in every respect — and I am grateful to Bob for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“Disney General Entertainment’s culture of creative excellence and originality has made us home to many of the most talented creators in the business. I am humbled to lead this team, and I am confident that together, we will continue to build on the foundation of culture-defining entertainment we have achieved so far.”

In a departing memo to staff, Rice said: “I am so proud of the work we have done together, the friendships we have forged and the consistent success we have celebrated. We have the honor of working in the world’s greatest and most creative industry at a time of enormous change.

“In the midst of this, together we have created amazing and award-winning television shows and I am eternally grateful for your kindness and generosity on the journey.”