Earley will report directly to Walden and Bergman and will continue to lead Hulu until a successor is identified.
The Walt Disney Co. has promoted Joe Earley to President, Direct-to-Consumer, Disney Entertainment, effective immediately. In the new role, Earley, who most recently served as president of Hulu, will lead Disney Entertainment’s streaming businesses including Disney+ and Hulu, reporting to co-chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden.
Michael Paull, who was previously in that role for six years, is leaving the company.
In his new role, Earley will work closely with content teams around the company to continue to expand the company’s streaming efforts and drive impactful and resonant programming and engagement offerings across Disney+ and Hulu. In addition, he will continue leading Hulu until a successor is identified.
Speaking about the appointment, Bergman and Walden said: “Joe has proven himself to be an extraordinary asset and is uniquely positioned for this role as we guide Disney’s streaming strategy into the future. His vast industry experience and deep understanding of what sets our prestigious portfolio of brands apart will be essential as we build on our robust direct-to-consumer efforts. Joe is a talented, passionate leader, committed to creative excellence, and we look forward to partnering with him in this next chapter.”
Earley added: “Helping launch Disney+ was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and Hulu has been inspiring and rewarding. I’m incredibly grateful to Dana and Alan for their confidence and the opportunity to lead both of these incredible teams during this time of transformation across the streaming landscape.”
Earley joined Disney in January 2019 to oversee Disney+ marketing and operations in the lead-up to its successful November launch that year, adding responsibility for content curation in 2021 as the service expanded to dozens of markets worldwide. He was named president of Hulu in January 2022.
Earley previously served as president of The Jackal Group, leading its television, film, commercial theatre, and digital divisions. He served as a Fox executive for over two decades, including as chief operating officer for Fox Television Group.
