Disney is undertaking another significant restructuring of its television leadership, with Adam Smith taking sole oversight of the company’s direct-to-consumer operations while veteran television executive Eric Schrier moves into a new producing partnership.
The changes represent another step in Disney’s effort to streamline its television and streaming operations as Disney+ becomes an increasingly important part of the company’s entertainment strategy.
Smith, who previously shared the direct-to-consumer leadership role with Joe Earley, has been named chairman of direct-to-consumer for Disney Entertainment. In the expanded position, he will report to Disney president and chief creative officer Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, chairman of Disney Entertainment, Studios.
Earley, meanwhile, will leave his position as co-president of direct-to-consumer and take on a newly established role as president of Disney Entertainment Television franchise and content strategy. He will report to Debra OConnell, chairman of Disney Entertainment Television.
The restructuring also affects Schrier, a longtime Disney television executive and one of the early architects of FX. After 26 years with Disney, he will move away from his executive position and return to producing through a new partnership with Disney Entertainment Television.
In a memo to employees, OConnell said Schrier had expressed a desire to return to his creative roots.
“As Eric and I have been talking about the future, he shared with me his desire to return to his creative roots,” she wrote. “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. Eric plans to share more about what’s ahead soon, and we’re excited about what we’re going to create together.”
Smith to oversee Disney’s global streaming operation
Smith’s promotion gives him full responsibility for Disney’s global entertainment subscription video-on-demand business. According to Disney, his responsibilities will include strategy, development and innovation across the company’s streaming platforms, advertising technology and emerging technologies.
He will oversee Disney+ and Hulu, with responsibility spanning product development, engineering, advertising technology, programming strategy, viewer experience, partnerships, data and analytics.
The move comes as Disney continues to position Disney+ as a central component of its broader entertainment ecosystem. The company is seeking a structure that places its direct-to-consumer operations under a single dedicated leader as the streaming business continues to expand.
Disney said further details about the leadership changes would be announced later.
Smith joined Disney in 2024 after more than two decades at Google and YouTube. He initially became chief product and technology officer for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, before being promoted in March to co-president of direct-to-consumer alongside Earley.
Walden praised Smith’s work in technology and product development since his arrival at the company.
“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 Walt Disney Company president and chief creative officer Dana Walden said. “Alan Bergman and I are pleased to recognize the tremendous impact he has had on our direct-to-consumer business since he joined Disney, and we are confident that he is the right leader to meet the critical moment we’re in and take us to the next level.”
Smith said the company’s next phase would focus on connecting Disney+ more closely with the wider Disney entertainment portfolio.
“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,” Smith said. “We’ve established real momentum, and our vision ahead is clear: make Disney+ the connection point for fans everywhere to engage with the full breadth and depth of the broader Disney ecosystem. I’m grateful for this team, energized by what’s ahead, and excited for our next chapter.”
Earley takes charge of franchise strategy and international originals
Earley’s new position shifts his focus from the overall direct-to-consumer operation toward the development and commercial expansion of Disney Entertainment Television’s franchises.
As president of Disney Entertainment Television franchise and content strategy, he will be responsible for identifying ways to maximize the value of the company’s television franchises, develop new opportunities for audience engagement and support business growth.
His portfolio will also include content and production for international originals, production operations, labor relations and creative talent development.
Earley joined Disney in 2019, initially taking responsibility for global Disney+ marketing and operations ahead of the streaming service’s launch. He became president of Hulu in 2022 and was named head of Disney’s direct-to-consumer division in April 2023.
Before joining Disney, Earley worked at Fox.
Walden described Earley as an important contributor to the company’s streaming business and welcomed his move to Disney Entertainment Television.
“Joe has been an exceptional leader for our direct-to-consumer business over the past four years, and I am deeply grateful for his partnership and meaningful contributions,” Walden said. “He is a talented executive with a rare combination of business acumen and creative instincts, and Debra OConnell and I could not be more excited to welcome him to the leadership team at Disney Entertainment Television.”
Schrier returns to his creative roots
Schrier’s move marks another transition for an executive whose career has been closely associated with some of television’s most prominent cable and streaming productions.
Before taking his most recent position in early 2026 as president of direct-to-consumer international originals, strategic programming and emerging media, Schrier served as president of Disney Television Studios and Business Operations for Disney General Entertainment.
He moved to the studio side after more than two decades at FX, where he ultimately became president of FX Entertainment.
During his years at FX, Schrier was involved with more than 100 original series. His credits include acclaimed and commercially successful programs such as “Nip/Tuck,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Archer,” “Sons of Anarchy,” “Justified,” “The Americans,” “Atlanta,” “Fargo,” “Snowfall” and “The Bear.”
His return to producing will allow him to move back toward the creative development and production work that defined much of his career at FX, while maintaining a relationship with Disney through the new producing pact.
The leadership changes come as Disney continues to adjust its television and streaming structure around the changing economics and audience habits of the entertainment industry. With Disney+ and Hulu operating as major components of Disney’s direct-to-consumer strategy, the company is placing greater emphasis on integrating technology, programming, advertising, franchises and audience data.
For Disney, the latest moves separate those responsibilities more clearly: Smith will lead the global direct-to-consumer operation, Earley will concentrate on television franchises and content strategy, and Schrier will return to producing.
The company has indicated that additional details about the broader leadership structure will be disclosed at a later date.