Richard Plepler

Here's Bob Iger talking to Kara Swisher in 2022 during a brief window of time when he was not Disney CEO.

And Netflix wasn't just using Disney's movies to grow. There were those ABC shows like Lost and Grey's Anatomy that Disney had licensed to Netflix. And Disney even began making original Marvel shows for the streamer.

And Netflix wasn't just using Disney's movies to grow. There were those ABC shows like Lost and Grey's Anatomy that Disney had licensed to Netflix. And Disney even began making original Marvel shows for the streamer.

And Netflix wasn't just using Disney's movies to grow. There were those ABC shows like Lost and Grey's Anatomy that Disney had licensed to Netflix. And Disney even began making original Marvel shows for the streamer.

This was Disney feeding its very own DNA directly into the Netflix machine, giving over its precious IP to engineer specific shows designed to convince consumers to sign up for Netflix.

This was Disney feeding its very own DNA directly into the Netflix machine, giving over its precious IP to engineer specific shows designed to convince consumers to sign up for Netflix.

This was Disney feeding its very own DNA directly into the Netflix machine, giving over its precious IP to engineer specific shows designed to convince consumers to sign up for Netflix.

By supplying great content to Netflix, Disney was getting paid. But it was also building Netflix's business, helping it become a primary pick for home entertainment. Disney thought its identity as an entertainment company would keep it relevant over a tech company. But as more and more people turned to Netflix for entertainment, it all got a little confusing for Disney.

By supplying great content to Netflix, Disney was getting paid. But it was also building Netflix's business, helping it become a primary pick for home entertainment. Disney thought its identity as an entertainment company would keep it relevant over a tech company. But as more and more people turned to Netflix for entertainment, it all got a little confusing for Disney.

By supplying great content to Netflix, Disney was getting paid. But it was also building Netflix's business, helping it become a primary pick for home entertainment. Disney thought its identity as an entertainment company would keep it relevant over a tech company. But as more and more people turned to Netflix for entertainment, it all got a little confusing for Disney.

But the lines were beginning to blur. Was Disney's partner actually the competition? Disney thought it had some time to figure things out. Here's Matthew Ball, an author and independent analyst today. Ball has been watching the streaming war since he was the head of strategy for Amazon Studios.

But the lines were beginning to blur. Was Disney's partner actually the competition? Disney thought it had some time to figure things out. Here's Matthew Ball, an author and independent analyst today. Ball has been watching the streaming war since he was the head of strategy for Amazon Studios.

But the lines were beginning to blur. Was Disney's partner actually the competition? Disney thought it had some time to figure things out. Here's Matthew Ball, an author and independent analyst today. Ball has been watching the streaming war since he was the head of strategy for Amazon Studios.

But between 2012, when Disney made its movie deal with Netflix, and 2015, when Bob Iger called HBO's Richard Plepler, viewing habits rapidly changed. Internet speeds in the US more than doubled within the space of a few years, making streaming feasible for more people.

But between 2012, when Disney made its movie deal with Netflix, and 2015, when Bob Iger called HBO's Richard Plepler, viewing habits rapidly changed. Internet speeds in the US more than doubled within the space of a few years, making streaming feasible for more people.

But between 2012, when Disney made its movie deal with Netflix, and 2015, when Bob Iger called HBO's Richard Plepler, viewing habits rapidly changed. Internet speeds in the US more than doubled within the space of a few years, making streaming feasible for more people.

And devices from companies like Roku and Apple took off, making it easier than ever to watch streaming services like Netflix directly on your TV set instead of on a computer or iPad. And within that same period, Netflix started to stand out as a destination for original, top-of-the-line shows. It outbid traditional studios to make House of Cards with top-tier talent.

And devices from companies like Roku and Apple took off, making it easier than ever to watch streaming services like Netflix directly on your TV set instead of on a computer or iPad. And within that same period, Netflix started to stand out as a destination for original, top-of-the-line shows. It outbid traditional studios to make House of Cards with top-tier talent.

And devices from companies like Roku and Apple took off, making it easier than ever to watch streaming services like Netflix directly on your TV set instead of on a computer or iPad. And within that same period, Netflix started to stand out as a destination for original, top-of-the-line shows. It outbid traditional studios to make House of Cards with top-tier talent.

created a viral sensation with Orange is the New Black. And yes, it began production on a series of Disney Marvel originals, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and more. With Disney's help, Netflix had torn down the wall between content companies and tech companies.