Eric Schrier Stepping Down As President Of DTC International Originals, Segues To Producing Deal With Disney Entertainment Television

EXCLUSIVE: Eric Schrier is departing his post as Disney‘s President of Direct-to-Consumer International Originals, Strategic Programming, and Emerging Media — but not the company. The 26-year FX/Disney veteran is launching a production company, which will be based at Disney Entertainment Television.

Disney Entertainment Television chairman Debra OConnell revealed Schrier’s change of status in an internal memo, which followed the announcement of Adam Smith’s elevation to Chairman, Direct-to-Consumer for Disney Entertainment and Joe Earley’s move to DET as President, Disney Entertainment Television Franchise and Content Strategy.

“As Eric and I have been talking about the future, he shared with me his desire to return to his creative roots,” OConnell wrote. “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. I’m so pleased that we’ll continue working together through a new producing partnership with DET. Eric plans to share more about what’s ahead soon, and we’re excited about what we’re going to create together.”

Details of Schier’s producing arrangement are still being hammered out but he is expected to work across divisions, which include FX, where he had spent most of his career to date, rising to Entertainment President; FX Productions, which he launched with FX chairman John Landgraf; Hulu/Disney+, which he supplied with international originals; and 20th Television, which he oversaw for two years as President of Disney Entertainment Studios, until the March restructuring following Dana Walden’s elevation to President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company.

It saw Schrier move to Direct-to-Consumer under Earley as President of DTC International Originals, Strategic Programming, and Emerging Media.

Building Disney+ international streaming originals’ infrastructure and slate has been a focus for Schrier over the past couple of years. He has expanded the streamer’s global content lineup to 65 shows across 16 international markets and has appointed new EMEA and LATAM heads as well as new country managers. He also has been charting Disney+ path in emerging content space while also maintaining his existing responsibilities overseeing all BA, labor relations and creative development and inclusion across DET.

The role came with a heavy travel load, taking Schrier away from his young family for 1-2 weeks every month and making him miss important events and anniversaries.

It also came with a large focus on administrative duties, pulling Schrier away from the creative process, which was at the center of his tenure at FX. He missed working with writers, directors and talent, as well as being entrepreneurial, which he did at FX where he helped establish a new production model and launch a viable cable studio in FX Productions.

The two factors, as well as him being confined within the Disney walls for the past two years, led to Schier’s decision to take on a new chapter as a producer. The timing of the decision is likely tied to the latest Disney restructuring that has Earley move to DET under OConnell, which would’ve involved Schrier moving back with him. (OConnell is expected to reorganize her unit too in the coming months.)

Schrier’s exit from the executive ranks comes just a couple of weeks after another key FX architect, Chuck Saftler, also announced his departure.

At age 50, Schrier has plenty of runway ahead of him as he puts an end to a 25-year executive career spent entirely at FX/Disney. He joined FX in late 2000 as an assistant to then-President of Entertainment Kevin Reilly. Just months later, in July 2021, Schrier was promoted to Manager of Current Series and rose steadily through the ranks to Entertainment President. Some of the series that he was closely involved in include The Shield, Sons of Anarchy, The Americans, Atlanta and The Bear.

Since leaving FX to become President of Disney Television Studios in 2022, Schrier oversaw such Disney+ international originals as Rivals, Alice and Steve and Perfect Crown and the upcoming The Remarried Princess. He spearheaded major Disney TV Studios deals with networks and talen,t including the blockbuster four-season pickup of four 20th Animation series by Fox: The Simpsons, Family Guy, Bob’s Burgers as well as American Dad! in its return to the network after an 11-year run on TBS.

Additionally, he helped Walden manage the DTC business and its turnaround to profitability and create the combined Disney Entertainment division.

Here is OConnell’s memo:

Team,

Following Dana’s note a short time ago, I first want to congratulate Adam Smith on his new role as chairman, Direct-to-Consumer for Disney Entertainment. Adam is an exceptional leader and partner, and I’m thrilled for him as he takes on this expanded responsibility. I also want to congratulate Joe Earley on his new role and share how incredibly happy I am to welcome him to Disney Entertainment Television – although for so many of us, Joe needs little introduction.

Joe and I have worked closely together since he joined the company in 2019, and I know firsthand what a thoughtful, creative and deeply collaborative partner he is. He knows our businesses and our teams incredibly well, and brings a rare combination of strategic thinking, sharp instincts and genuine passion for our content and brands.

As president, DET Franchise and Content Strategy, Joe will now lead the strategic development of our franchises, building on some of our greatest strengths – our incredible IP and rich content library – to deepen engagement with audiences and create new opportunities for growth. He will also oversee DET production, labor relations and creative talent development and inclusion, along with our international content, bringing our global titles and local originals together under Disney Entertainment Television. Joe’s experience makes him uniquely suited to build on our success, and I couldn’t be happier to have him alongside us in this new role. We’ll have more to share in the coming weeks. In the meantime, I know many of you have worked with Joe over the years, and I hope you’ll join me in welcoming him to the leadership team at DET.

I would also like to share an update about Eric Schrier. As Eric and I have been talking about the future, he shared with me his desire to return to his creative roots. 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. I’m so pleased that we’ll continue working together through a new producing partnership with DET. Eric plans to share more about what’s ahead soon, and we’re excited about what we’re going to create together.

We have tremendous momentum across our organization powered by exceptional creative teams, some of the most beloved franchises in entertainment, and stories that connect with fans around the world. Thank you for everything you do to make that possible. I’m looking forward to everything we’ll continue to accomplish together!

All the best,
Debra