Disney is changing its streaming leadership team, which previously consisted of co-presidents Adam Smith and Joe Earley. Adam Smith has been named chairman of Direct-to-Consumer for Disney Entertainment, while Earley takes the role of president of Disney Entertainment Television franchise and content strategy.
Disney Changes Streaming Leadership Team
The news was first announced by Disney’s President & Chief Creative Officer (CCO), Dana Walden. She reports to Josh D’Amaro, Disney’s newest CEO.
When Walden first took the reins as President & CCO in March 2026, she oversaw seven executives, including Adam Smith and Joe Earley, co-presidents of Direct-to-Consumer. They shared responsibility for strategy and financial performance across Disney+ and Hulu. Earley also served as head of content strategy for Direct-to-Consumer, while Smith worked as chief product and technology officer (CPTO) for Disney Entertainment and ESPN.
Now, Adam Smith has been named chairman of Direct-to-Consumer for Disney Entertainment, while Earley is shifting into the newly created role of president of Disney Entertainment Television franchise and content strategy. They will continue to report to Walden.
The leadership change is largely due to Disney focusing on making Disney+ a main focal point for the company. The goal is to create an internal structure with a single, dedicated leader for the direct-to-consumer business as it continues to grow. Additional details about the leadership change will be announced later.
As chairman, Smith will be responsible for the company’s global entertainment subscription video on demand (SVOD) business. He will drive strategy, development, and continued innovation across the company’s streaming platforms, proprietary advertising technology, emerging technologies and more. Smith will also oversee Disney+ and Hulu, including product, engineering, advertising technology, programming strategy, viewer experience, partnerships, and data and analytics.
As for Earley’s new role, he will lead the strategic development of Disney Entertainment Television franchises by maximizing their value and creating new opportunities to engage audiences and drive the business forward. Earley will also oversee all content and production for international originals, production, labor relations and creative talent development.
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