Eric Schrier quits Disney exec post to launch production venture

Eric Schrier has stepped down from his role as President of Direct‑to‑Consumer International Originals, Strategic Programming and Emerging Media at Disney Entertainment Television, .

The veteran executive will remain with Disney in a producing capacity, forming a new production company based within Disney Entertainment Television.

His departure follows a wider reorganization that elevated Adam Smith to Chairman of Direct‑to‑Consumer for Disney Entertainment and moved Joe Earley to DET as President of Franchise and Content Strategy.

## Background & Context

Schrier joined FX in late 2000 as an assistant to then‑President of Entertainment Kevin Reilly, and within months was promoted to Manager of Current Series.

He rose steadily through the ranks, eventually becoming Entertainment President, and helped launch FX Productions with chairman John Landgraf; the studio produced series such as The Shield, Sons of Anarchy, The Americans, Atlanta and The Bear.

In 2022 he moved to Disney Television Studios as President, overseeing Disney+ international originals like Rivals, Alice and Steve and Perfect Crown, while also negotiating landmark deals that brought The Simpsons, Family Guy, Bob’s Burgers and American Dad! back to Fox after extended runs on other networks.

Schrier’s most recent role focused on building Disney+’s global content slate; he expanded the platform to 65 shows across 16 markets and appointed new regional heads in EMEA and LATAM, while maintaining responsibilities over business affairs, labor relations and inclusion.

The position demanded a heavy travel schedule that took him away from his young family for one to two weeks every month, and a shift toward administrative tasks that pulled him further from the writers, directors and talent he had nurtured during his tenure at FX.

Schrier’s tenure as President of Disney Entertainment Studios before the March restructuring placed him at the helm of 20th Television, where he managed the studio’s day‑to‑day operations and its slate of scripted and unscripted series.

The March restructuring also saw Dana Walden promoted to President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company, a shift that realigned Disney’s creative leadership structure and set the stage for Schrier’s transition to DET.

Schrier’s influence extended beyond content creation; he was instrumental in establishing a new production model at FX that enabled the studio to launch a viable cable studio, FX Productions, and set a precedent for future collaborations between broadcast and cable entities.

The strategic decisions he made during his tenure are expected to shape Disney’s content strategy for years to come, as the company continues to seek new ways to engage global audiences through original storytelling.

## What People Are Saying

Debra OConnell, chair of Disney Entertainment Television, wrote in the memo that “As Eric and I have been talking about the future, he shared with me his desire to return to his creative roots.” She continued, “After an extraordinary 26 years at Disney, including as one of the early architects of FX, Eric has decided this is the right moment to pursue that next chapter.” OConnell added, “I’m so pleased that we’ll continue working together through a new producing partnership with DET.” She concluded, “Eric plans to share more about what’s ahead soon, and we’re excited about what we’re going to create together.” In the same memo, OConnell also congratulated Adam Smith on his new role as chairman of Direct‑to‑Consumer for Disney Entertainment and welcomed Joe Earley to DET as President of Franchise and Content Strategy.

Schrier’s departure follows the recent exit of another FX architect, Chuck Saftler, indicating a broader shift within the studio’s leadership ranks.

In the same memo, OConnell highlighted the broader reorganization, noting that Joe Earley’s move to DET would allow him to focus on franchise strategy and international content, while Adam Smith would steer Disney’s Direct‑to‑Consumer business.

The timing of Schrier’s exit coincides with the announcement that another FX veteran, Chuck Saftler, would be stepping down, hinting at a broader realignment within the studio.

## What Happens Next

Schrier will operate as a producer across divisions including FX, Hulu/Disney+, and 20th Television, though the details of the arrangement are still being finalized. He has said he will “share more about what’s ahead soon,” suggesting that further announcements will follow in the coming weeks.

OConnell noted that Disney Entertainment Television will undergo additional reorganization in the months ahead, as part of a broader effort to align its content strategy with evolving audience preferences.

Schrier’s production company will operate under the umbrella of Disney Entertainment Television, allowing him to leverage existing studio resources while maintaining creative autonomy.

No immediate public statement has been issued by Schrier himself, and no formal announcement has detailed the scope of his future projects or the titles he intends to develop.

The industry will watch closely to see how Schrier’s new producing role translates into concrete projects, especially given his history of nurturing award‑winning series. Should the partnership with DET bear fruit, it could signal a new era of collaboration between Disney’s content production arms and its streaming platforms.

Schrier’s departure underscores Disney’s ongoing evolution, balancing executive oversight with creative exploration as it navigates a rapidly changing entertainment landscape. His move signals a renewed emphasis on original content that can be produced internally and distributed across the company’s streaming platforms.