In a filing with the SEC on Friday, it was revealed Disney CEO Bob Iger had stepped down from Apple’s board of directors.
The resignation came on September 10, the day of Apple’s special event where the company detailed the price and launch date of the Apple TV+ streaming service, which will be in direct competition with Iger’s Disney+ streaming service, coming in November.
Both Apple and Disney will be competing for original content and Iger remaining on the board was seen as a potential conflict of interest.
In a statement, Iger said “It has been an extraordinary privilege to have served on the Apple board for 8 years, and I have the utmost respect for Tim Cook, his team at Apple, and for my fellow board members,” according to CNBC.
“Apple is one of the world’s most admired companies, known for the quality and integrity of its products and its people, and I am forever grateful to have served as a member of the company’s board,” added Iger.
The Disney CEO was a close friend of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, with the latter sitting on Disney’s board up until his death in 2011. Disney also purchased Jobs’ animation studio, Pixar, in 2006. Jobs had asked Iger to join Apple’s board after his death, which the Disney CEO eventually did.
Apple said in a statement, “Bob has been an exemplary board member for nearly eight years, and for as long as he has led Disney he has been one of Apple’s most trusted business partners. He is a dedicated, visionary CEO and a role model for an entire generation of business leaders. More than anything, Bob is our friend. He leads with his heart and he has always been generous with his time and advice. While we will greatly miss his contributions as a board member, we respect his decision and we have every expectation that our relationship with both Bob and Disney will continue far into the future.”
Disney+ launches in Canada on November 12, at the price of $8.99 CAD per month. Apple TV+ launches on November 1 in Canada at $5.99 CAD per month, but those buying select Apple products will get one year of the service for free.
“Customers who purchase any new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch starting September 10 can enjoy one year of Apple TV+ for free,” explains Apple.
