Media

Top Disney media job may be split into two roles: sources

Disney CEO Bob Iger just created the bake-off from hell.

With the sudden and surprising exit Tuesday of Disney Media co-chair Anne Sweeney — Iger’s No. 2 — the CEO is expected to be buried in choices, both internal and external, to fill one of the most powerful positions in media.

Sweeney oversees the ABC network, Disney’s global cable channels, and the station group among other responsibilities.

Anne SweeneyReuters

Sweeney told the press — to wide disbelief — that she is leaving to pursue a career in TV directing and didn’t want to a succeed Iger as CEO.

However, some media insiders said Sweeney is exiting because she knew there was no chance of becoming Iger’s successor.

One likely option for Iger is to split Sweeney’s role in two, sources said, with one new hire running cable and international and the other the broadcast side of the business.

Two internal candidates have hit the top of the rumor mill already — Rebecca Campbell, president of ABC Owned Television Stations Group, is being eyed to run the cable and international portion of the business, and ABC News President Ben Sherwood would take on broadcast responsibilities for daytime and ABC entertainment.

If that happens, then Sherwood could become the boss of Paul Lee, the head of entertainment.

“Rebecca Campbell, the station lady, is Iger’s kind of girl. She’s been a rising star. They’re happy with her performance,” said one media executive.

Sherwood, meanwhile, is believed to want wider responsibilities beyond ABC News and could be in a position to command them given that he helped “Good Morning America,” topple NBC’s “Today Show,” for the No. 1 slot.