Disney CEO Bob Iger has labeled the recent proxy battle with Nelson Peltz as a "distraction," revealing that the company's primary focus now lies in selecting his successor. 

Speaking on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" just a day after winning over the activist investor, Iger expressed relief that the victory would allow him to dedicate more time to executing the company's strategic priorities.

Despite Disney implementing various plans and actions when the board battle with Nelson Peltz was ongoing, Disney CEO Bob Iger believes that Peltz's efforts did not influence the company's long-term plans for choosing Iger's successor, making business investments, or developing content. 

At Wednesday's investor meeting, shareholders overwhelmingly supported Disney, giving Iger 94% of the overall vote. Both Peltz and another activist, Blackwells, failed to secure board seats in their respective bids.

Nelson Peltz clarifies his motivations during the proxy battle with Disney. He emphasizes that his primary concern was ensuring that Disney had a strong and effective leadership succession plan in place, indicating that his actions were driven by a desire for the company's long-term success rather than any personal animosity towards Disney CEO Bob Iger.

Peltz also rejects asserting that his activism directly influenced recent Disney stock value increases. On the contrary, Bob Iger contends that the market's positive response to Disney's performance drove the stock gains rather than any external factors, such as Peltz's involvement.

READ NEXT: Disney CEO Bob Iger Prevails: Shareholders Overwhelmingly Elect Director Nominees, Thwarting Nelson Peltz's Board Takeover Bid

What's Next for Disney? 

Iger also emphasizes that the board's primary focus continues to be on selecting his replacement, with scheduled meetings of the succession committee expected to continue throughout 2024. VCPost earlier reported that the current front-runner is Dana Walden, which would be a historic feat for Disney to be led by a woman.

Disney CEO Bob Iger is also reviewing the obstacles encountered by his predecessor, Bob Chapek, who took on the role in 2020. 

Iger specifically mentions disruptions such as the shutdowns of film and TV production, closures of theme parks, and the cessation of live sporting events, all of which occurred during Chapek's tenure. Iger expresses his confidence in the current leadership team's ability to manage and overcome these difficulties effectively. 

Looking ahead, Iger outlined plans for Disney's future endeavors, including a bundled sports service with Warner Bros. Discovery and Fox, alongside a standalone ESPN service to be integrated with Disney+. 

READ MORE: Disney CEO Front-Runner Is a Woman, Dana Walden