Bob Iger has shared fresh comments on the long-discussed idea of Apple and Disney merging, saying the deal never moved ahead because Apple did not show much interest in it.
In a new Financial Times profile, Disney’s former CEO reflected on major decisions from his time at the company, including acquisitions, missed deals, and the company’s close history with Apple.
Iger said Disney discussed the idea internally and also had some conversations with Apple, but those talks never turned into a serious deal. He described a possible Apple and Disney merger as “truly transformational and equal,” which shows how strongly he viewed the idea.
Apple and Disney Merger Never Happened
According to Iger, the main reason was simple. Apple did not take enough interest in the proposal, even though Disney saw real value in joining forces with the tech giant.
The idea has followed Iger for years because of Disney’s close link with Steve Jobs, who became Disney’s largest individual shareholder after the Pixar deal. Iger also wrote earlier that Apple and Disney likely would have merged if Jobs were still alive.
However, his latest comments suggest he also considered the possibility after Jobs’ death, even though Apple never moved seriously toward the deal.
For now, the Apple and Disney merger remains one of the biggest “what if” stories in tech and entertainment, especially as both companies continue to shape streaming, media, hardware, and digital services in different ways.
