Fire Anne Sweeney from Disney-ABC
TMC
Description
Unfortunately Anne Sweeney, a thoroughly decent and bright executive,
has absolutely no feel for or interest in, for that matter,
broadcasting. She doesn't understand creation of prime time
programming or the unique relationship with affiliate stations. While,
in her world, cable and satellite MSO's are called "affilia...tes,"
that relationship is dramatically different and less synergistic than
that between a broadcast network and an affiliated station. Both
create content, have unique brands and specific relationships with
viewers.
Ironically David Westin has been a stronger advocate and protector of
ABC News than Ms. Sweeney is of the ABC Network. She easily embraced
the rationale for taking NFL games off ABC for the benefit of ESPN.
While this makes financial sense when isolated it hurt ABC's ability
to promote new programming and train large younger audiences to tune
to ABC stations.
I doubt if Ms. Sweeney even defines herself, professionally, by her
association with ABC or its success. I get the impression that ABC to
her is an assigned chore with which she would like to do well. She is
badly cast in her role as chief executive of a broadcast network and
fault lies with the casting director; Robert Iger. However I can't
think of anyone left at Disney suitable to lead ABC except Iger. In a
strange and self-destructive manner the company has systematically
purged itself of broadcast talent in favor of cable talent, like Ms.
Sweeney and George Bodenheimer.
ABC cannot remedy its problems with the current structure.