It's not yet clear how the Walt Disney restructuring will affect the FOX Networks Group and the FOX Networks Group Africa (FNG Africa) in the light of Disney buying 21st Century Fox's entertainment assets. That transaction still needs to clear the approval of American regulators.
Under the restructuring, the Walt Disney International regional managers, including Rebecca Campbell, president for Disney for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, as well as those in Latin America and Asia, will now report to Kevin Mayer who has been appointed as the chairperson of the new unit that will be known as Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International.
"Delivering our great stories and characters directly to consumers on all high-quality devices around the world will provide the company with meaningful new revenue streams and opportunities for growth," says Kevin Mayer in a Disney statement.
Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International will be responsible for Disney's upcoming subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service that when it launches in 2019 may or may not be available in Africa and South Africa (and will have implications for for instance the new Star Wars live action series).
Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International will also be responsible for Disney's ESPN+ direct-to-consumer offer, Disney’s shareholding in Hulu, worldwide distribution of content from Disney's Burbank studio and the domestic American TV channels, international networks businesses, global advertising sales and the technology unit BAMTech.
Disney has channel carriage agreements with for instance MultiChoice in South Africa and Africa for its pay-TV channels and sells a raft of content - TV and film - to broadcasters ranging from free-to-air broadcasters like e.tv and the SABC, to pay-TV broadcasters like M-Net.
Also moving over in the Disney restructuring is Janice Marinelli, currently president of Disney-ABC Home Entertainment and Domestic Television. She will now lead global distribution of film and television, plus the Movies Anywhere digital locker operation, and will report to reports to Kevin Mayer.
Disney senior vice president Agnes Chu, who is currently overseeing original programming for the Disney SVOD service, is moving to the new unit and will continue in her role.
The as-yet-unnamed Disney streaming service will launch witth content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel Entertainment and Lucasfilm content, as well as original programming.
"With our unparalleled studio and media networks serving as content engines for the company, we are combining the management of our direct-to-consumer distribution platforms, technology and international operations to deliver the entertainment and sports content consumers around the world want most, with more choice, personalisation and convenience than ever before," says Bob Iger, Disney CEO.
The Walt Disney reorganisation is effective immediately.
