As of 2011, which company was the most profitable unit in the Disney family?

In 2011, ESPN emerged as the most profitable unit within the Disney family, significantly contributing to the company's overall revenue. ESPN's success can be attributed to its dominance in sports broadcasting, extensive viewership, and a wide range of lucrative broadcasting deals, including exclusive rights to various major sports leagues and events. This made it a cash cow for Disney, generating substantial advertising revenue and subscription fees from cable providers.

Disneyland and ABC, while important parts of Disney’s portfolio, did not match the profitability levels that ESPN achieved at that time. Disneyland, as a theme park, draws revenue primarily from admissions and associated spending, which can fluctuate based on visitor numbers and economic conditions. ABC, as a television network, faced declining advertising revenues due to competition from cable networks and the internet. Pixar, although successful in creating blockbuster animated films, didn't operate on the same scale of consistent revenue inflow that ESPN offered. Thus, ESPN's sports-centric focus and business model established it as the financial frontrunner in the Disney ecosystem during that period.