SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF. — Now that it is an affiliate of The Walt Disney Co., the Board of Directors at NYSE-traded FuboTV Inc. has opted to make a change at the top.
As of today, David Gandler is no longer Chief Executive Officer. That role has gone to a “seasoned media executive with decades of experience in leadership roles at several prominent global media organizations.”
Tapped to succeed Gandler is Alisa Bowen.
If that’s a familiar name, it is because she is the former President of Disney+.
Previously, Bowen was a founding member of Disney’s Streaming Leadership team, spearheading “the global vision, operational buildout and scaling” of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. Prior to joining Disney, Bowen held leadership positions at News Corporation, Dow Jones and Thomson Reuters.
It is anticipated that Bowen will also serve as a board member, as Gandler has resigned in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement and will no longer stand for election at the July 28 annual shareholders meeting.
“Following the combination with Hulu + Live TV last year, Fubo has reached a pivotal moment in its strategic evolution, with a compelling Pay TV platform, strong content portfolio and unique integration in the Disney ecosystem,” said Andy Bird, Disney’s Chairman of the Board. “Alisa’s appointment is the culmination of a thoughtful process led by the independent directors of the Board to find the next leader to advance Fubo’s strategy and performance. Alisa is a proven operator who brings nearly 30 years of product, digital and operational experience, including leadership across Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. She has an established track record of driving global subscriber growth and profitability, and we look forward to benefiting from her experience and expertise as Fubo enters its next chapter.”
Bowen said she’s “excited to lead Fubo in its next phase as we sharpen its strategy across sports, news and entertainment, accelerate growth and drive profitability, while delivering even greater value to Fubo and Hulu + Live subscribers, our advertisers and our content partners. I look forward to working closely alongside this talented leadership team to strengthen Fubo as an industry leader and create significant value for all of our shareholders.”
Meanwhile, Bird thanked Gandler for his leadership and dedication as a co-founder of Fubo, saying he “brought a pioneering vision and leadership that were instrumental in building Fubo into the platform it is today, leading the combination with Hulu + Live and providing a strong foundation for future growth. We appreciate all that he has done for the Company and wish him the best.”
Gandler commented, “It has been an honor to lead Fubo since co-founding the company, and I am incredibly proud of everything our team has accomplished over the past 11 years. We have built a dynamic streaming platform centered around innovative multichannel video programming distribution into one of the largest Pay TV providers in the United States. Today, Fubo has best-in-class programming partnerships, innovative service offerings and preeminent live sports and entertainment content and is well positioned for the future. I look forward to following the Company’s continued growth and success in the months and years ahead.”
