Disney plans major TV unit overhaul

The Walt Disney Company (DIS) is preparing a significant restructuring of its television business that could lead to hundreds of job cuts and the consolidation of multiple divisions. The plan represents a new phase in efforts to streamline Disney’s (DIS) media operations and adjust to changes in how audiences watch content.

The restructuring was reported on Oct. 1, 2026, and is described as targeting the core organization of Disney’s U.S. television operations. While large in scale, the effort is still being defined, with senior executives yet to complete the final structure.

A central goal of the overhaul is to organize Disney’s television business around streaming customers rather than legacy broadcast and cable brands. This would move decision-making away from traditional linear-TV structures and toward platforms that serve on-demand viewers.

As part of this shift, executive layers that oversee programming for Disney+, Hulu and linear channels are expected to be affected. The reorientation reflects an emphasis on aligning content and management more directly with streaming audiences.

Units including ABC Entertainment, 20th Television, Hulu Originals and Freeform have been identified as likely to be touched by the restructuring. These areas have historically operated with distinct leadership and mandates within Disney’s broader television portfolio.

Reports indicate that the changes could result in the consolidation of these operations, reducing overlapping roles and simplifying reporting lines. The potential for hundreds of layoffs underscores the scale of the planned reorganization across the television group.

People familiar with the matter have said that senior executives are still finalizing details of the restructuring. The plan may not be completed before the end of the year, suggesting a phased or evolving implementation process.

Disney has not immediately responded to questions about the restructuring, leaving open how quickly specific changes will be communicated to employees or partners. The lack of a fixed timeline highlights the complexity of reshaping such a large business unit.

Disney Entertainment Television Chairman Debra O’Connell is leading the overhaul, placing the initiative under the purview of the company’s top television executive. Her role centers on designing a structure that reflects Disney’s current strategic priorities in media.

Disney President and Chief Creative Officer Dana Walden has described the company’s approach as centralizing divisions that previously ran independently into a single television business. She has said that Disney is evaluating how it is organized and how large that organization should be, framing the restructuring as part of a broader review of scale and efficiency.