Disney is gaining traction in streaming and its executives are seeking fresh approaches to close the distance with Netflix in the race for viewer attention.

Since the 2019 debut of Disney+, the direct-to-consumer unit has evolved from an expensive experiment into a reliable source of earnings.

CEO Josh D'Amaro is placing renewed emphasis on streaming through investments such as AI-driven advertising features on Disney+. He has also appointed TV executive Dana Walden as the firm's inaugural chief creative officer and selected Adam Smith and Joe Earley to serve as co-presidents of the DTC division.

Business Insider has obtained updated internal charts that detail the leaders supporting Disney's streaming efforts, with particular focus on product and technology roles.

Smith, who also oversees product and technology for Disney Entertainment, arrived from YouTube in September 2024. He maintains eight direct reports, one of whom is Andre Rohe, executive vice president of product engineering.

Smith has shared several updates with streaming teams, covering plans for a unified app experience, adjustments to commerce and data groups, and advancement of the Disney+ AI advertising tool, which he recently described as a clear area of progress.

Rohe has clarified Disney's AI objectives for technical staff, cautioning against overuse of tools simply for the sake of appearing productive.

Disney's Position in the Streaming Landscape

Disney's platforms recorded their strongest monthly share of television viewing in nearly three years during March 2026 and achieved their best comparative performance against Netflix in almost twelve months, according to Nielsen data. This modest improvement follows a period of limited growth.

Disney+ and Hulu now generate profits supported by a committed subscriber base. The company reported $582 million in streaming operating income in the most recent quarter and counted 196 million subscriptions at the end of September 2025.

Even after multiple price increases, Disney+ and Hulu maintain some of the lowest churn rates in the sector aside from Netflix, with fewer than 4 percent of subscribers canceling in May, per Antenna figures.

To drive further engagement, D'Amaro is merging Disney+ and Hulu into a single destination while pursuing operational efficiencies. The flagship service is also exploring short-form video content, aligning with similar moves by Peacock, Netflix, and Paramount+.

To illustrate the product and technology structure, Business Insider is sharing portions of Disney's internal streaming organization chart drawn from employee-provided records.

Direct Reports to Smith

The following individuals report directly to Smith, listed alphabetically: Andre Rohe (EVP, Product Engineering), Christopher Lawson (EVP, Content Platforms and Operations), Danette Dugas (Senior Executive Assistant), Dimitri Kontopidis (Executive Director of Product and Tech Strategy and Operations), Erin Teague (EVP, Product Management), Meghan Borsic (SVP, Design), Michael Cupo (SVP, Business Operations), and Tony Donohoe (EVP, Ad Platforms).

Direct Reports to Rohe

The following individuals report directly to Rohe, listed alphabetically: Andrew Hyde (VP, Product Software Engineering), Christopher Shattuck (Head of India Product and Tech), Christopher Sword (Director of Data Analytics), Devika Chawla (SVP, Product Software Engineering), Dominique Charrette (VP, Data Analytics), Jay Donnell (SVP, Product Software Engineering), Justin Altwies (Director of Product Engineering and Business Operations), Mali Sonnier (Senior Executive Assistant), Mayank Sachan (VP, Growth Engineering), Mehran Bozorgi (SVP, Product Software Engineering), Nicholas Brookins (SVP, Media Engineering), and Zachary Cava (VP, Product Software Engineering).