(Corrects headline to clarify OConnell is named chairman of entertainment TV, not the entertainment arm; corrects paragraph 4 to note Dana Walden is both president and chief creative officer of Disney)
March 16 (Reuters) – Walt Disney named insider Debra OConnell as the chairman of Disney Entertainment Television on Monday, adding that she will oversee brands including ABC Entertainment, Disney Branded Television, Hulu Originals and National Geographic Content.
The media giant unveiled the new leadership structure for its entertainment arm to bring together the company’s streaming, film, and television businesses, along with its games and digital entertainment division.
OConnell most recently served as president of the ABC News Group and has been with the media giant for nearly three decades. In her new role, she will continue to oversee ABC News and ABC-owned television stations.
The appointment comes just a month after Disney named Dana Walden as president and chief creative officer.
Under the new structure, executive vice president of the games business, Sean Shoptaw, and the entire organization will join Disney’s entertainment segment.
The company said bringing the games business under the new entertainment arm would mark a strategic shift that aligns the business more closely with Disney+ and Hulu, aiming to expand engagement.
Shoptaw has been with Disney for over 12 years.
Both OConnell and Shoptaw will report to Walden, who will assume the new position on March 18.
(Reporting by Vallari Srivastava in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)
