Disney rejigs streaming as Eric Schrier steps down

Disney has reshuffled its senior streaming ranks, with new roles for Adam Smith and Joe Earley alongside the exit of international originals chief Eric Schrier.

Smith and Earley had been co-presidents of direct-to-consumer since March, after Dana Walden was upped to become president and chief creative officer, to whom the pair reported.

The rejig will see former YouTube exec Smith become chairman of DTC with a remit to oversee all SVoD operations for Disney, reporting into Walden and Alan Bergman, chairman of Disney Entertainment, Studios.

Earley, meanwhile, is now president of Disney Entertainment Television (DET) Franchise and Content Strategy, reporting into DET chairman Debra O’Connell.

His remit includes oversight of content and production for international originals, as well as working on talent deals.

Walden and Bergman said Smith had “significantly enhanced the Disney+ user experience globally,” adding that they “are confident that he is the right leader to meet the critical moment we’re in and take us to the next level.”

Disney chief exec Josh D’Amaro revealed earlier this year that the company plans to transform Disney+ into “the digital centerpiece” of the company, while investment in international originals is set to triple.

International reshuffle

Schrier, meanwhile, had been president of Disney Entertainment Studios and supported the international content slate at Disney+, which named Angela Jain as its EMEA chief last year.

He took on oversight of direct-to-consumer for international originals in March, following Walden’s promotion, and reported into Earley in that role.

Schrier, who has been with Disney for 26 years, is now set to launch a label within Disney Entertainment Television.

“As Eric and I have been talking about the future, he shared with me his desire to return to his creative roots,” O’Connell wrote in a note to staff.

“After an extraordinary 26 years at Disney, including as one of the early architects of FX, Eric has decided this is the right moment to pursue that next chapter. I’m so pleased that we’ll continue working together through a new producing partnership with DET.”

Further details of Schrier’s label are yet to be revealed, she added.

The veteran exec has been with Disney, Hulu and FX for almost three decades, working on shows ranging from The Shield and Sons of Anarchy to The Bear and Rivals.