Facebook COO, Twitter CEO to exit Disney's board

AN FRANCISCO: Following their respective companies' push into generation of video content on their platforms, Facebook Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sheryl Sandbergand Twitter CEO Jack Dorseyare leaving Walt Disney's board, a regulatory filing has revealed.

"Given our evolving business and the businesses Sandberg and Dorsey are in, it has become increasingly difficult for them to avoid conflicts relating to board matters," Fortune quoted a Disney spokesperson as saying late on Friday.

The departures of Sandberg and Dorsey -- who is also the CEO of digital payments firm Square -- from Disney's board comes at a time when both Facebook and Twitter have been emphasising in promoting video content on their social networking and messaging services -- a territory in which Disney is a prime player.

In the recent years, Twitter has signed deals with the NFL and MLB, among other sports leagues, to livestream certain games.

Facebook also pushed video, including debuting its "Watch" feature in August last year. "Watch" is intended to stream original programming created by users and celebrities.

Meanwhile, Disney was also reportedly pushing its content online.

The report said apart from its plans to create its own video streaming service in 2019 that is dedicated to movies and television shows, Disney also intended to debut an ESPN Plus streaming service this year.

Disney said former Starbucks CEO Orin Smith and private equity investor Robert Matschullat would exit the entertainment giant's board.

"Matschullat and Smith will be departing pursuant to company policies that limit board service to 15 years and set the retirement age at 74, respectively," the spokesperson was quoted as saying.