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.

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