Disney CEO D'Amaro Faces Cable Spin-Off Decision as ABC/Hulu Oscars Viewership Falls 9.1%
New CEO Josh D'Amaro must decide whether to spin off Disney’s general entertainment cable channels, a declining asset that Comcast and Paramount recently reconsidered. Disney’s Oscars telecast on ABC and Hulu attracted 17.9 million viewers in 2026, a 9.1% drop from 19.7 million last year.
1. CEO Appointment and Strategic Focus
Josh D'Amaro, promoted from the Parks division, steps in as Disney’s new CEO with a mandate to drive revenue and profit growth. His Parks background signals an emphasis on high-margin operations while he assembles top creative talent, including new Chief Creative Officer Dana Walden.
2. Cable Channel Spin-Off Dilemma
D'Amaro faces a pivotal choice on Disney's general entertainment cable channels, labeled a declining asset. Recent cable spins by Comcast and Paramount encountered setbacks, raising questions about market timing and value retention.
3. Oscars Telecast Ratings Slip
The 2026 Oscars on ABC and Hulu drew 17.9 million viewers, down 9.1% from the previous year’s 19.7 million peak. This decline interrupts a recent rebound in live awards engagement and underscores shifting audience preferences.
4. Implications for Ad Revenue and Digital Strategy
Lower live viewership may pressure advertising rates across Disney’s linear networks, accelerating the shift toward streaming monetization. The performance gap highlights the need for digital distribution pivots as legacy TV assets underperform.