Eric Schrier Leaves Disney Executive Role for Producing Deal
After 26 years at FX and Disney, Eric Schrier is swapping the executive suite for the producer's chair.
Disney Entertainment Television chairman Debra OConnell told staff of the change in an internal memo, as reported by Deadline on 17 September 2026. Schrier will leave his current post as President of Direct-to-Consumer International Originals, Strategic Programming, and Emerging Media. Direct-to-consumer is industry shorthand for streaming services that reach viewers directly, such as Disney+.
He is not leaving Disney. Schrier is starting his own production company based at Disney Entertainment Television, meaning the new outfit will develop shows inside the Disney stable.
Two executives will divide his old remit on the organisation chart. Adam Smith has been elevated to Chairman, Direct-to-Consumer for Disney Entertainment. Joe Earley moves across to Disney Entertainment Television as President, Disney Entertainment Television Franchise and Content Strategy.
The exit closes a long run. Schrier rose to Entertainment President at FX and launched FX Productions alongside FX chairman John Landgraf. That studio arm became the engine behind much of FX's scripted slate.
He later spent two years as President of Disney Entertainment Studios, overseeing 20th Television, before a March restructuring. That shake-up also saw Dana Walden elevated to President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company.
Schrier's shift toward Disney's mainstream studios began earlier. In September 2022 he took on the role of President of Disney Television Studios and Business Operations, as reported by Deadline. By May 2025 he had left FX's executive team after two decades to lead Disney Television Studios, according to Deadline.
That period put him in charge of animation deals, reboots, talent pacts and backend strategy, the business terms that decide how profit from a hit is shared. He discussed that slate in detail in a May 2025 interview.
Abroad, he became the public face of Disney+'s local push. In his most recent streaming role, he expanded Disney+'s global line-up to 65 shows across 16 international markets. The service sharpened its focus on Korea, Japan and Australia, as reported by Deadline in November 2025.
A month later he said Disney+ was eyeing more British comedies, according to Deadline. He also appeared as a keynote speaker at Content London, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
For viewers, this means little changes right away. The shows already ordered keep their slots. What changes is who makes the next ones, with Schrier now pitching as a producer rather than approving as an executive.
