FT News Briefing Who will be Disney’s next CEO?
65 snips
Feb 3, 2026 
Sarah White, FT Paris correspondent covering French banking, and Chris Grimes, FT Los Angeles bureau chief covering Hollywood, discuss Disney’s looming leadership choice and who might steer its future. They compare internal contenders and debate whether the company should stay integrated or split its businesses. The conversation also touches on wider industry and strategic stakes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
France Passes Budget Via Constitutional Route
- France passed a deficit-cutting budget for 2026 after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu survived a no-confidence vote.
- Lecornu used constitutional powers to enact the budget without parliamentary support, then faced the required no-confidence motion.
Two Internal Paths For Disney's Future
- Disney's CEO contest centers on two internal candidates: Josh DeMauro (parks) and Dana Walden (TV/streaming).
- The choice signals whether growth will prioritize experiences or content/streaming integration.
Parks Shine, TV Remains A Headache
- Bob Iger fixed several problems after returning, with parks performing especially well.
- Other divisions still require restructuring amid the secular decline of traditional TV.