Disney Appoints Adam Smith as DTC Chairman, Joe Earley to TV Role
WHO:
Deadline - Eric Schrier is stepping down as President of Direct-to-Consumer International Originals at Disney.
Deadline - Adam Smith has been appointed as Chairman of Direct-to-Consumer for Disney Entertainment.
Variety - Joe Earley has been named President of Disney Entertainment Television franchise and content strategy.
WHAT:
The Hollywood Reporter - Adam Smith will oversee all elements of Disney Entertainment’s direct-to-consumer business, including product, engineering, advertising technology, programming, viewer experience, partnerships, and data and analytics for Disney+ and Hulu.
The Hollywood Reporter - Joe Earley will lead strategic development for Disney Entertainment’s TV franchises, as well as content and production for international originals, production, labor relations, and creative talent development.
Deadline - Eric Schrier is launching a production company that will be based at Disney Entertainment Television.
Deadline - Adam Smith was previously a Co-President of Direct-to-Consumer alongside Joe Earley.
Variety - The leadership change is part of a restructuring of Disney's streaming leadership team.
WHERE:
Deadline - The changes are occurring within Disney Entertainment, a division of The Walt Disney Company.
WHEN:
Deadline - The announcement follows a decision made six months prior regarding the co-presidency of Smith and Earley.
WHY:
Deadline - The restructuring aims to streamline the leadership of Disney's direct-to-consumer operation.
HOW:
The Hollywood Reporter - Dana Walden stated, “Over the past two years, Adam has done an exceptional job building a world-class team of product and technology leaders and has significantly enhanced the Disney+ user experience globally.”
The Hollywood Reporter - Adam Smith expressed, “Disney has the best storytellers and the most passionate fandom in the world, and I couldn’t be prouder of what this team has built together.”
Deadline - Schrier's change of status was revealed by Debra O'Connell, chairman of Disney Entertainment Television, in an internal communication.
Variety - Smith and Earley will continue to report to Dana Walden, President and Chief Creative Officer of Disney.
(UPDATED September 18, 2026 02:09 UTC)
Adam Smith has been appointed to oversee all aspects of Disney Entertainment’s direct-to-consumer business, which includes responsibilities for Disney+ and Hulu. Meanwhile, Joe Earley will take charge of strategic development for Disney's TV franchises and international original content. Dana Walden praised Adam's exceptional work in enhancing the Disney+ user experience, while Adam himself expressed pride in the storytelling and passionate fandom that Disney represents.
--
(UPDATED September 17, 2026 22:59 UTC)
Eric Schrier is stepping down as President of Direct-to-Consumer International Originals at Disney, as announced by Debra O'Connell, chairman of Disney Entertainment Television, in an internal communication. Following his departure, Schrier will be launching a new production company that will be based at Disney Entertainment Television. This transition marks a significant change in leadership within the company.
--
(UPDATED September 17, 2026 22:00 UTC)
Adam Smith has been appointed as Chairman of Direct-to-Consumer for Disney Entertainment, while Joe Earley has been named President of Disney Entertainment Television franchise and content strategy. This leadership change is part of a restructuring aimed at streamlining Disney's direct-to-consumer operations, following a decision made six months ago regarding the co-presidency of Smith and Earley. Both Smith and Earley will continue to report to Dana Walden, President and Chief Creative Officer of Disney.