Disney Announces Major Shakeup To Its Television Division
The Walt Disney Company has announced a major shakeup to its television division, as ABC and Hulu will combine their scripted drama and comedy teams as part of a broader reorganization.
According to a new report from Variety, Simran Sethi will oversee the combined teams as president of Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment. She was currently serving as executive vice president of programming and content strategy for ABC Entertainment and Freeform.
Additionally, ABC Signature will be dissolved and folded into 20th Television. Karey Burke will continue to lead that division.
How the Reorganization Will Play Out
As part of the reorganization, Tracy Underwood, the current head of ABC Signature, will transition to an overall producing deal at 20th Television. Underwood has served as president of ABC Signature since last year.
Photo: Disney
As for the other former ABC Signature executives, Josh Sussman, who served as executive vice president of business affairs and operations for the division, will lead the newly combined business affairs team.
Erin Whrenbeg, who served as ABC Signature’s head of comedy, will now depart the company.
Finally, Josh Helman will not add broadcast drama to his list of responsibilities as the new executive vice president of drama for Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment.
Photo: Disney
“We are extremely fortunate to have this extraordinary group of executives leading an all-star team, whose collective commitment to creative risk-taking and delivering quality content will continue to drive our business into the future,” Eric Schrier, president of Disney Television Studios & Business Operations, Disney General Entertainment, said in a note to staff.
Disney Will Lay Off 30 Employees
According to Variety, roughly 30 Disney television employees will be laid off as part of the reorganization. This will be the second time the television unit has been downsized this year. In July, Disney laid off 140 television employees.
The Walt Disney Company
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