Now, Iger’s most recent statement suggests the powerful CEO has seen enough. This comes courtesy of World of Reel, citing information from CNBC’s Alex Sherman.

Iger blamed the creators at Disney for losing sight of what their jobs should be — he explained that it got worse when he left as CEO/Chairman. In his own words, Iger says “entertain first, not messages”. He adds that stories infused with “positive messages for the world” can be great, but that it shouldn’t be forced upon an audience.

Did Iger watch “South Park” like the rest of us? … Iger’s new comments are the most powerful signal that the CEO finally understands Disney’s progressive shift hurt its bottom line.

[Christian is skeptical that Iger’s actually learned a lesson here. Part of Iger’s problem is that it will take a couple of years to turn things around on film production, and at least a year on TV production, if he wants to take Disney back to a position of trust with parents. It’s not clear that Iger will survive that long at Disney, and it’s equally murky whether this is just lip service or a signal of real change. — Ed]