Disney is creating a new hub for international content creation under the direction of Rebecca Campbell as chairman for international content and operations. The move is part of the company’s push to grow its global direct-to-consumer business. The company said it had 179 million total subscriptions across Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu at the end of last year, and that it plans to more than double the number of countries Disney+ is in to over 160 by fiscal 2023. The company will also invest “significantly” into the creation of original local and regional content, with more than 340 titles already in various stages of development and production.
Campbell will focus on local and regional content production for Disney’s streaming services, while still overseeing the company’s media teams worldwide. The International Content and Operations group will be home to a fourth content-creation engine for the company, alongside the Studios Content, General Entertainment Content and Sports Content groups.
As part of the executive reshuffle, Michael Paull has been promoted to the newly created role of president for Disney Streaming, with accountability for Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ and Star+. Disney plans to soon name a new head for Disney+, to succeed Paull.
Joe Early will meanwhile take over as president of Hulu, from his previous position as executive VP for marketing & operations at Disney+. Russell Wolf will continue as head of ESPN+.
