‘Blindsided’: Disney Fires TV Content Head Peter Rice

In a sudden turn of events, The Walt Disney Company has removed Peter Rice as its Head of TV Content, replacing him with Dana Walden.

According to Variety, multiple sources close to the situation reported that it was an “entirely business and strategy-related” decision made by Disney CEO Bob Chapek on Tuesday, June 7, and has nothing to do with Rice’s personal behavior. Be that as it may, this was a sudden decision, and one source was quoted saying, “Peter was blindsided.”

“The strength of the Walt Disney Company’s businesses coming out of the pandemic is a testament to Bob’s leadership and vision for the company’s future,” Susan Arnold, chairwoman of Disney’s board, said in a statement. “In this important time of business growth and transformation, we are committed to keeping Disney on the successful path it is on today, and Bob and his leadership team have the support and confidence of the board.”

Rice and Walden both came to Disney from 20th Century Fox via the acquisition merger with the parent company, 21st Century Fox. Under his official title, Chairman of Disney General Entertainment Content, Rice oversaw the creation of more than 300 shows annually across ABC (ABC News and ABC Studios), Disney Channel, Disney+, Hulu, and FX, to name a few. Sources told The New York Times that he had his contract renewed in August 2021, supposedly running until the end of 2024.

Speculation continues to vary on the specific intentions for Rice’s firing. However, it comes after several months of Disney dealing with a severe drop in stock price and harsh criticism from fans and politicians for Disney’s fight against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education legislation. That fight, combined with the leaked meeting footage featuring several Walt Disney Television executives admitting to pushing LGBTQ+ agendas into future children’s television programming, sparked outrage among Disney fans. Threats of subscription cancellations and an overall distaste for business with The Walt Disney Company have come to define a major part of the Mouse House’s third fiscal quarter. It is still unknown what the realized loss of customers is at this time, and numbers will likely come to light at Disney’s upcoming Q3 earnings webcast.

Rice’s firing also comes after Disney’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Geoff Morrell, was ousted in April. However, Morrell made it appear as if the decision was mutual.

We at Disney Fanatic wish Mr. Rice the best of luck in his future endeavors, as well as Ms. Walden in her new role with the company. We will continue to update our readers on Disney news as more developments come to light.