Disney Names Karl Holmes as Senior Vice President of Direct to Consumer and General Manager for Disney+ in Europe, Middle East, and Africa

EMEA, and Joe Earley, President, Direct-to-Consumer, Disney Entertainment.

Karl Holmes is taking the helm as the SVP, Direct to Consumer & General Manager of Disney+ in EMEA, starting in January 2025. With an impressive background at Sky, 21st Century Fox, and Tata Sky, Karl brings a wealth of experience in the direct-to-consumer realm to this role.

Based in London, Karl will lead the regional team overseeing Disney+ business operations. Reporting to Jan Koeppen, President of The Walt Disney Company EMEA, and Joe Earley, President of Direct-to-Consumer at Disney Entertainment, Karl will play a key role in continuing the success of Disney+ in the region.

Jan Koeppen praised Karl’s ability to drive long-term success in consumer-facing businesses and expressed confidence that under Karl’s leadership, the Disney+ team will thrive. Karl himself expressed excitement to join Disney after a successful decade at Sky, highlighting Disney’s storytelling prowess and his eagerness to make it accessible to an even wider audience.

With his diverse experience at Sky, including leadership roles in Marketing, Operations, Finance, and Data, Karl is well-equipped to take on this new challenge. During his tenure at Sky, he held executive positions in Europe, the UK, and Ireland, showcasing his versatility and expertise in various facets of the business.