As Hollywood actors get ready to join the Writers Guild of America on picket lines, Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Bob Iger had some harsh words Thursday about the walkouts set to further paralyze the entertainment industry.
Hours before SAG-AFTRA's national board was set to vote on a strike, Iger told CNBC's David Faber that the guilds are being "unrealistic" in their demands. He said their actions come at the "worst time" as studios struggle to adapt to the disruption of the media landscape, including the transition to streaming video, the decline of traditional TV and an uncertain economic climate.
"It's very disturbing to me," Iger said. "We've talked about disruptive forces on this business and all the challenges that we're facing and the recovery from COVID — which is ongoing, it's not completely back. This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption."
