After 18 years at Disney, Anne Sweeney announced that she will leave the company in Jan to pursue a career in television directing. She is currently co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president of Disney/ABC Television Group.

“… As wonderful as the experience has been, there has always been a nagging voice in the back of my head pushing me to step out of the comfort zone of the executive ranks and more directly into the creative arena that enticed me to TV in the first place,” Sweeney said in a statement Tues. “I finally listened to that voice and thought, ‘if not now, when?’ I know my decision to step back from all of this to learn the art of Directing may seem surprising, but to me it’s a long realized dream.”

Disney chief Bob Iger applauded Sweeney’s accomplishments as well as her decision to follow her dream and looks forward to “having her direct one of our shows in the future.”

Sweeney joined the company in 1996 as president of Disney Channel and evp of Disney/ABC Cable Networks.Previously, she was chairman and CEO of FX Networks, since 1993.

More in CableFAX Daily tonight.

The Daily

Subscribe
Wednesday–September 17

Wrestlepalooza: ESPN Is New WWE Home, But Not For All Pay TV Subs

ESPN will air “Wrestlepalooza,” its first WWE premium live event [PLE], on Saturday, but not all ESPN subs will have access to the event.

Read the Full Issue
The Skinny is delivered on Tuesday and focuses on the cable profession. You'll stay in the know on the headlines, topics and special issues you value most. Sign Up

Jobs

Seeking an INDUSTRY JOB or hiring for one?
VIEW JOBS

In conjunction with our sister brand, Cynopsis, we are offering hiring managers a deep pool of media-savvy, skilled candidates at a range of experience levels and sectors. The result will be an even more robust industry job board, to help both employers and job seekers.

Contact us at marketing@cynopsis.com, for more information about posting a job on the website and our Jobs newsletter, sent twice weekly to 85,000 media professionals.