Walt Disney named Debra O’Connell as president of Disney Entertainment Television on Monday, overseeing brands like ABC Entertainment, Disney Branded Television, Hulu Originals, and National Geographic Content. The media giant revealed a new management structure to bring together its streaming, cinema, and television activities, as well as its digital games and entertainment division.
O’Connell, who previously served as president of ABC News, has been with the media giant for over thirty years. She will continue to oversee ABC News and ABC-owned television networks in her new role. This appointment comes just a month after Dana Walden was named president and creative director.
Under the new structure, Sean Shoptaw, executive vice president of games, and the entire organization will join Disney’s entertainment segment. Disney stated that integrating the games business into the new entertainment branch signifies a strategic shift to align more closely with Disney+ and Hulu to enhance engagement.
Shoptaw, who has been with Disney for over 12 years, and O’Connell will report to Walden, who will assume her new role on March 18th.
