Ben Sherwood & John Skipper
Ben Sherwood
Title: President, ABC/Disney Television Group; Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks
John Skipper
Title: President of ESPN, Co-Chair Disney Media Networks
Years in Cable: 19 years at ESPN
Education: BA, University of North Carolina; MA, Columbia University
Sherwood continues to take a hands-on approach overseeing Disney’s TV operations, including the ABC network, Freeform and Disney Channel. When ABC Entertainment group chief Paul Lee abruptly resigned in February, he acted quickly to promote Channing Dungey to fill the post. Sports fan Skipper focused on delivering live events across platforms in 2015, sealing deals to keep ESPN DVR-proof. ESPN’s eight nets produced 51,214 live and original hours of programming in 2015, and ESPN was the No. 1 network in primetime across households for the second consecutive year while ESPN Digital reached 94.4 million unique users.
John Skipper
What does the future look like for skinny bundles and flexible packaging? With the inclusion of ESPN, bright.
Last show I watched not on my network(s): Men’s basketball tournament (see education)
What was your first job? Secretary at Rolling Stone magazine
Favorite charity event you work with: the V Fund
What was the last costume that you wore and why? Other than a basketball uniform
and the occasional suit, I do not believe I have ever worn a costume.
Best way to spend a Saturday night: Watching the NBA on ESPN on ABC
My cable industry mentor and why: George Bodenheimer
I watch the majority of programming on this device: Television
My favorite newfound hobby: Listening to vinyl again
Favorite vacation spot: Paris
My typical breakfast is: Coffee
My Starbucks order: Breakfast, please.