Disney Names Smith Streaming Chairman, Earley TV President
Disney Names Smith Streaming Chairman, Earley TV President
Anonymous
Key Points
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Adam Smith said his goal is to make Disney+ “the connection point for fans everywhere” to engage with the full breadth of Disney’s ecosystem, adding that the streaming business has built “real momentum.”
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Dana Walden credited Smith with building “a world-class team of product and technology leaders” and significantly improving the Disney+ user experience globally, describing his promotion as recognition of his impact on the direct-to-consumer business.
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Before joining Disney, Joe Earley held roles at Fox spanning content, communications, marketing and operations; he was named president of Hulu in 2022.
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The broader March leadership overhaul also appointed Debra O’Connell as chairman of Disney Entertainment Television, alongside naming Smith and Earley as direct-to-consumer co-presidents.
Disney has promoted Adam Smith to chairman of its Direct-to-Consumer division, giving him control of the company's global streaming business including Disney+ and Hulu, according to Señal News. Smith, who joined Disney in 2024 after more than 20 years at Google and YouTube, will oversee product, engineering, advertising, programming, and platform innovation. The move is part of a broader leadership restructuring led by Dana Walden, Disney's president and chief creative officer.
Smith Takes Control of Disney's Streaming Push
Adam Smith's appointment reflects Disney's focus on making its streaming services more competitive. Adweek reports that Smith will drive strategy, development, and innovation across the company's subscription video business. Smith said his goal is to make Disney+ "the connection point for fans everywhere" to engage with Disney's full ecosystem. Señal News notes he will oversee the company's global streaming operations, from product design to viewer experience and data analytics.
Earley Leads Television Franchise Strategy
Joe Earley, who joined Disney in 2019, takes on the newly created role of president of Disney Entertainment Television Franchise and Content Strategy. Señal News explains that Earley will lead strategic development of Disney's television franchises while overseeing content and production for international originals. He previously served as president of Hulu starting in 2022 and brings experience from Fox in content, communications, marketing, and operations.
Walden Recognizes Smith's Impact on User Experience
Dana Walden praised Smith's contributions since his arrival at Disney. Adweek reports that Walden credited Smith with building "a world-class team of product and technology leaders" and significantly improving the Disney+ user experience worldwide. The promotion reflects recognition of his impact on the direct-to-consumer business during a critical period for the streaming industry.
Broader Television Leadership Overhaul Underway
The March restructuring extends beyond Smith and Earley's appointments. What's On Disney Plus reports that Debra O'Connell was named chairman of Disney Entertainment Television as part of the broader overhaul. The reorganization consolidates Disney's streaming and television operations under clearer leadership lines, positioning the company to better compete in an increasingly crowded streaming market.
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