Disney has appointed Adam Smith as chairman, while Joe Earley transitions to a key role in executive changes.
Disney has officially announced a significant restructuring in its direct-to-consumer division, promoting Adam Smith to the position of chairman. This announcement was reported by The Hollywood Reporter on September 17, 2026. In this new role, Smith will oversee all aspects of Disney's direct-to-consumer business, which includes platforms like Disney+ and Hulu.
Joe Earley, formerly president of direct-to-consumer, will transition to lead Disney Entertainment Television's franchise and content strategy, reporting to Deb OConnell. This move is seen as a strategic shift aimed at streamlining Disney's direct-to-consumer efforts under Smith’s leadership.
Adam Smith, who has two years of experience with Disney following a tenure at YouTube, has been tasked with reimagining the technology and products that support Disney's streaming ambitions. Going forward, all aspects of Disney's direct-to-consumer strategy will fall under Smith, simplifying the previous organizational structure where multiple executives reported separately to senior leadership. Disney aims to make Disney+ the central focus of its digital strategy, a move that underscores the urgency of consolidating management for improved efficiency.
In a memo to staff, OConnell emphasized that a single executive overseeing Disney’s streaming operations will facilitate better coordination and execution of strategic initiatives.
Joe Earley has been a significant figure in Disney's streaming strategy since joining the company as part of its acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019. He originally served as president of Hulu and later took on additional responsibilities with Disney+. His new role will involve the strategic direction of Disney Entertainment’s TV franchises, alongside managing content production for international originals.
OConnell praised Earley's exceptional leadership during his tenure in the direct-to-consumer landscape, expressing confidence in his ability to contribute to Disney Entertainment Television’s growth. Earley’s insights into the company and strategic goals will be integral as he leads initiatives to engage audiences and explore new growth opportunities.
Additionally, Disney's structure is evolving further with Eric Schrier, a company veteran of 26 years, leaving his role as head of direct-to-consumer international originals. Schrier will not exit Disney entirely; instead, he’s taking on a producing deal with Disney Entertainment Television, which aligns with his desire to return to creative work. His departure marks the end of an era, particularly due to his instrumental role in shaping the FX brand.
As these senior leadership changes unfold, a pivotal shift in strategies to engage audiences across all Disney platforms is anticipated. Adam Smith’s leadership is expected to generate significant momentum for Disney+, aligning it with the company’s broader goals and modernizing its approach to streaming.
The new structure aims to fortify Disney's role in content distribution as expectations and consumption patterns evolve. Given the competitive landscape in streaming, these changes reflect a proactive approach to consolidating power and strategy within Disney’s entertainment offerings.
The elevation of Adam Smith and the repositioning of Joe Earley indicate Disney's commitment to enhancing its streaming services, particularly as it seeks to establish Disney+ as a key player in the digital content space. These strategic shifts could provide a more unified vision for the company's direct-to-consumer ventures, although the full implications of Schrier's exit and the restructuring remain to be seen. This shake-up sets the stage for potentially transformative developments in Disney’s content strategy, paving the way for innovative approaches in audience engagement and content delivery.
Entertainment news
EpisodeBreakdown may use automated tools to assist research, drafting, and formatting. Published pages are governed by our editorial and corrections policies, and source links are shown when they are available in the article record.
Discovery source: The Hollywood Reporter. The source identifies where the topic was discovered; EpisodeBreakdown is responsible for the commentary published on this page.
Reader response
Reactions and poll results are based on real reader responses. No account is required.
