Disney’s streaming service has a new leader at the helm. The company, which has recently begun a major restructuring in all quarters, including a significant number of layoffs, has announced that Joe Earley — formerly president of Hulu — is taking on the role of president of direct-to-consumer for Disney Entertainment. This move follows the departure of Michael Paull, who had been with Disney for six years.
The newly developed Disney Entertainment division is headed by Dana Walden and Alan Bergman and oversees all of the company’s global streaming businesses and content decisions for Disney+ and Hulu. These responsibilities were previously under the purview of Kareem Daniel’s Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution division which was dissolved last month.
NEW: Joe Earley, the current president of Hulu, will take over as president of streaming for Disney Entertainment, the company announced on Wednesday. He will remain president of Hulu until a successor is named. pic.twitter.com/Se8U4jzexU
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 5, 2023
Earley will report directly to co-chairmen Walden and Bergman, and will continue to serve as the top executive in charge of Hulu until a replacement is identified. Alisa Bowen, who was promoted to President of Disney+ last fall after overseeing global business operations for Disney’s streaming platforms, will continue to lead the service.
“Joe has proven himself to be an extraordinary asset and is uniquely positioned for this role as we guide Disney’s streaming strategy into the future,” Bergman and Walden said in a joint statement.
The statement further said: “His vast industry experience and deep understanding of what sets our prestigious portfolio of brands apart will be essential as we build on our robust direct-to-consumer efforts. Joe is a talented, passionate leader, committed to creative excellence, and we look forward to partnering with him in this next chapter.”
In his new position, Earley will work closely with content teams across the company to further expand the streaming efforts for both Disney+ and Hulu. He has had a varied and successful career in the entertainment industry. He joined Disney in January 2019, specifically to lead the marketing and operations efforts for the launch of Disney+ later that year. His work was instrumental in the successful rollout of the streaming service in November. In 2021, he added the responsibility of content curation as Disney+ expanded its reach worldwide.
“Helping launch Disney+ was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and Hulu has been inspiring and rewarding,” Earley said in the wake of the announcement. “I’m incredibly grateful to Dana and Alan for their confidence and the opportunity to lead both of these incredible teams during this time of transformation across the streaming landscape.”
In January 2022, Earley was appointed as the President of Hulu, a move that showcased his abilities as an effective leader in the streaming industry. Prior to joining Disney, Earley served as President of the Jackal Group, overseeing its television, film, commercial theater, and digital divisions. During his time there, he was responsible for the production of popular shows like Tidying Up with Marie Kondo and the animated feature film The Addams Family for MGM.
Earley’s career began in production and development with producer Gale Anne Hurd, and he spent several years in media relations at HBO. However, it was at Fox where Earley spent the majority of his career, working in various roles for over two decades. His last position at Fox was as the COO for Fox Television Group.
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Bob Iger, the now CEO of The Walt Disney Company, made significant changes to Disney’s organizational structure upon his return, including the formation of the Disney Entertainment business unit in February. This move was part of a broader reorganization that dismantled the former Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution (DMED) division. The new unit is headed by Dana Walden and Alan Bergman and is responsible for managing all content decisions for Disney+ and Disney-controlled Hulu, among other global streaming businesses.
These changes in Disney’s streaming leadership are coming less than a year before the company must decide whether to buy Comcast out of Hulu, sell its stake, or spin off the streamer. Starting in January 2024, Disney can require Comcast to sell its 33% stake in Hulu, and Comcast can also force the sale.
Bob Iger has stated that Disney is currently looking at all options and that the company is being cautious in its approach. The streaming landscape is rapidly evolving, and before making any significant investment or commitment to the business, Disney wants to fully understand where the market is headed.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Disney’s streaming strategy, the company remains confident in its ability to compete in the crowded streaming market. Its strong portfolio of content and talented executive team position Disney well for continued success. As the industry continues to shift, Disney’s focus on innovation and strategic decision-making will ensure it remains a major player in the years to come.
