Disney hires ITV Studios’ Angela Jain as head of content for Disney+ EMEA
The Walt Disney Company has hired Angela Jain, currently director of unscripted at ITV Studios, as head of content for its Disney+ streaming service in EMEA.
Starting in September, Jain will lead Disney’s EMEA content strategy for original productions on Disney+, including commissioning, production management, business affairs and Disney+ originals-branded acquisitions.
She will report to Eric Schrier, president of Disney Television Studios and global original television strategy.
During Jain’s tenure at ITV, she has held senior roles on both the network and studios side, including controller of digital channels and acquisitions, MD of Lifted Entertainment and, most recently, ITV Studios’ first director of UK unscripted, overseeing the company’s 11 production labels.
Prior to that role, she was controller of ITV2, where she commissioned Love Island as well as shows like Plebs, The Big Reunion and Timewasters. Jain was also previously controller at Channel 4’s youth-skewing network E4, ordering shows such as The Inbetweeners, Misfits and Dead Set, alongside acquiring Glee and The Big Bang Theory.
The newly created Disney role follows a recent earnings call during which the company emphasised the importance of international markets and its investment in local originals that complement its global slate. Across Europe, Disney+ has committed to increasing its local originals output over the next four years.
Local Disney+ productions in EMEA include Rivals, The Stolen Girl, Bref, This is Not Hollywood and Invisible, with The Lost Station Girls, Alice and Steve and Call My Agent Berlin among its forthcoming content.
Schrier said: “Angela’s appointment to lead original content in EMEA is an essential piece of our ambitious plan to grow our local slate for Disney+. Her expertise and experience will help build on our recent success and elevate our storytelling, bringing customers more local stories that complement our incomparable movies and shows from our global studios.”
Jain added: “It is an irresistible opportunity to join Disney, return to commissioning and work alongside Eric Schrier and his talented team. The growth and vision to expand original productions is invigorating, and I look forward to collaborating with the very best creative talent to produce shows of real excellence and ambition for Disney+.”
