Craig Hunegs: Last News

In Dana Walden’s first personnel move since being upped to Chairman of Disney General Entertainment three months ago, Walden has promoted three executives: Eric Schrier, who is taking on a new, larger role, as well as Craig Erwich and Shannon Ryan who are expanding their current responsibilities.

Walt Disney Television has hired a new President of Entertainment.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeIt’s high noon for Bryan Noon at Walt Disney Television, where he has joined as named president of entertainment, filling the position left vacant when Craig Hunegs departed the company in May. Noon previously served as vice president of original series at Netflix, until departing a year ago as part of an organizational shuffle.In his new role, Noon will report to Walt Disney Television chairman of entertainment Dana Walden, who made the announcement on Wednesday.

Craig Hunegs is leaving Disney. The President of Entertainment at Walt Disney Television has decided to step down six months after a major restructure at the company.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterAfter two years at the company, Walt Disney Television president of entertainment Craig Hunegs is departing the media giant at the end of May.The decision to leave was Hunegs’, according to a source familiar with the matter, and follows Disney’s major reorganization last fall that realigned its businesses, splitting off its content creation team from its distribution and commercialization efforts into Disney General Entertainment Content and Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, respectively.Calling Hunegs a “gifted executive,” Walt Disney Television Chairman of Entertainment Dana Walden told staff that the reorg meant changes to Hunegs’ duties and that his new role was “no longer the one he joined The Walt

Fox veteran Nissa Diederich, EVP Production for Touchstone Television, has been promoted to EVP Production, 20th Television. She will oversee production for the combined studio operation following the recent consolidation of Disney TV Studios’ 20th TV and Touchstone TV divisions. She will assume the responsibilities held by 20th TV head of production, EVP Jim Sharp, who will stay on through the end of year to assist with the transition.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterDisney has named Carlos W. Williams to head business affairs and operations for 20th Television and Freeform, where he will work with 20th TV president Karey Burke and Freeform president Tara Duncan to grow the business operations and deal-making strategies at both entities.“Carlos is a gifted dealmaker and strategist and he will be a fantastic partner to Karey and Tara as they each run and grow their already successful businesses,” said Walt Disney TV president Craig Hunegs.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterRob Mills has been upped to executive vice president of unscripted and alternative entertainment at Walt Disney Television, expanding his role to lead the newly formed alternative programming production unit, Walt Disney Television Alternative.“I am honored to be leading this new enterprise as our company continues its efforts to grow the direct-to-consumer business and build on our success at ABC,” said Mills.

Daniel Holloway Executive Editor, TVDisney Television entertainment chief Dana Walden is reshuffling her executive team as she consolidates the company’s programming operations. The moves will see Disney streamline its three distinct studios into two and integrate programming teams at ABC and Hulu.Karey Burke will move from her role as head of ABC Entertainment into a new position as president of studio 20th Television.

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorDisney Television Studios president Craig Hunegs began his tenure at Disney last year with a diplomatic mission to carve a new template for talent deals that reflect the realpolitik of the current marketplace.As Hunegs details in the latest episode of Variety podcast “Strictly Business,” the traditional construct of profit participation agreements is increasingly becoming outmoded in a marketplace where so many shows wind up staying in the walled gardens of SVOD or pay TV networks.

In a bid to better influence its content and hiring, Disney is moving Tim McNeal's creative talent development and inclusion team into its studio arm. The team will now be housed under Disney Television Studios and report directly to unit president Craig Hunegs.

Dino-Ray Ramos Associate Editor/ReporterWalt Disney Company executive Tim McNeal and his Creative Talent Development & Inclusion Team will now be housed within Disney Television Studios. The respected veteran exec will report directly to Disney Television Studios President Craig Hunegs.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterWalt Disney Company executive Tim McNeal and his creative talent development and inclusion team will now be housed within Disney Television Studios.McNeal will now report directly to Disney TV Studios president Craig Hunegs. McNeal and his team will work to increase representation for marginalized communities across the studios’ executive, talent, and production ranks.

By Nellie Andreeva