Key Points
- Disney promoted Jimmy Zasowski to President of Platform Distribution for Disney Entertainment and ESPN.
- Zasowski will lead carriage negotiations with cable, satellite and streaming distributors for Disney’s linear networks and apps.
- The move comes as Disney navigates frequent distribution disputes and accelerates its direct-to-consumer strategy.
The Walt Disney Company has promoted one of its senior executives in charge of distribution to a new role within the entertainment giant.
On Thursday, Disney announced Jimmy Zasowski was taking on the role of President of Platform Distribution at Disney Entertainment and ESPN, where he will lead negotiations with cable, satellite and streaming television providers on carriage of Disney’s traditional linear networks and direct-to-consumer streaming apps.
The promotion appears to be a response to a senior Disney executive moving over to YouTube last year, just a few months before the two companies engaged in a two-week distribution dispute that saw ESPN and other Disney-owned networks removed from YouTube TV.
Zasowski will have more of a hand in those distribution negotiations — and settling disputes with pay TV distributors when they arise. In addition to YouTube TV, Disney-owned channels have been removed from DIRECTV, Dish Network, Sling TV and Charter’s Spectrum TV after the company demanded more money for its programming. In some of those cases, the disputes were settled when Disney agreed to bundle access to their streaming apps with their linear networks.
Zasowski will execute more of those deals at a time when Disney has pushed more of its focus on distributing premium entertainment and sports content through its apps, including Disney Plus and the new ESPN Unlimited plan.
“Jimmy is a skilled strategist, excellent dealmaker, and a thoughtful, collaborative leader who will advance the company’s distribution efforts to the next level,” Disney Entertainment co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a joint statement on Thursday.
They continued: “We have full confidence in his ability to lead this global organization, build on the strength of the team, and drive results as consumer viewing habits and the media landscape continue to evolve.”
Zasowski has worked for Disney since 2009, most recently taking on the role of Executive Vice President of Platform Distribution Strategy, focused largely on traditional networks and streaming.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the best distribution and content sales team in the industry,” Zasowski said. “I look forward to building upon the successful partnerships that we have across the globe and further expanding access to Disney’s best-in-class content in this dynamic marketplace.”
