Disney Focuses on Growing Direct-to-Consumer Business

Disney is creating a new hub for international content creation to support the ongoing expansion of The Walt Disney Company’s direct-to-consumer business worldwide and increase the expanding projects of local and regional content for its streaming services.  

The announcement was made on Thursday by Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer for The Walt Disney Company. In addition, the company is making several key executive appointments to its Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution (DMED) segment under the leadership of its Chairman, Kareem Daniel.  

“Disney’s direct-to-consumer efforts have progressed at a tremendous pace in just a few short years, and our organization has continued to grow and evolve in support of our ambitious global streaming strategy,” Chapek said.  

“Rebecca has played a vital role in orchestrating our global platform expansion, and I’m excited that she will be leading our new International Content group, bringing her expertise and talent to oversee the growing pipeline of original local and regional content for our streaming services while continuing to lead our international operations. Likewise, with a relentless focus on serving consumers, Kareem has developed an industry-leading team of seasoned executives who are uniquely equipped to take our streaming business into Disney’s next century.”  

The company streaming business expanded rapidly since the launch of Disney+ in late 2019, with 179 million total subscriptions across Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu as of the end of fiscal 2021, as well as plans to more than double the number of countries Disney+, is into over 160 by fiscal 2023.  

Also, Disney is investing substantially in creating original local and regional content for its streaming services, with more than 340 titles already in many stages of development and production.  

The Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution segment provides the Company’s storytelling to audiences worldwide across theatrical, streaming, and linear platforms. It is also responsible for monetizing content from the Company’s content engines.  

It also includes P&L management and operations of the Company’s portfolio of streaming services; its linear television channels and the ABC-owned stations; theatrical film distribution; content licensing, and distribution; in addition to its global advertising sales.