Disney Folding ABC Signature Into 20th TV as Part of Major Reorg

Disney’s TV units are undergoing a major reorganization.

The media giant announced Tuesday that it will shutter its ABC Signature studio, combining its operations with 20th Television. Additionally, the comedy and drama development teams at Hulu and ABC are merging.

Karey Burke, president of 20th TV, will continue to lead the combined studio. Simran Sethi has been upped to president scripted programming for Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment and will head development efforts. The reorganization will also result in about 30 layoffs, Disney says.

Also among the moves, ABC Signature business affairs head Josh Sussman has been promoted to lead a combined unit for Disney Entertainment Television. Jordan Helman, head of scripted content for Hulu, has been upped to executive vp drama, Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment, reporting to Sethi.

ABC Signature president Tracy Underwood will move to an overall producing deal with Disney Television Studios. Erin Wehrenberg, senior vp comedy at ABC Entertainment, is departing. The comedy team will report to Sethi for the time being.

“Streamlining our creative functions regrettably means reductions to our valued team,” Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich wrote in a memo to staff (read it in full, below). “These are painstaking decisions, and I’d like to acknowledge how profoundly grateful I am for the contributions made by our departing colleagues. This kind of change is never easy, but I know our team will navigate through this moment with the utmost respect and care for one another.”

Disney TV Studios and Business Operations president Eric Schrier wrote in a separate note (also below), “We are extremely fortunate to have this extraordinary group of executives leading an all-star team, whose collective commitment to creative risk-taking and delivering quality content will continue to drive our business into the future.”

ABC Signature — formerly ABC Studios and before that, Touchstone Television — is the second TV studio to shutter in the past two months, following the August closing of Paramount Television Studios. ABC Signature’s current productions include Grey’s Anatomy, High Potential and Jimmy Kimmel Live at ABC, The Amazing Race (with CBS Studios) at CBS, Criminal Minds: Evolution (also with CBS Studios) at Paramount+ and How to Die Alone (with Onyx Collective) at Hulu.

As has been the case at other legacy media companies, Disney is looking for ways to streamline its operations and bring its streaming and linear TV operations into closer alignment. The TV studio and development reorganization comes about a week after Disney made some corporate-level layoffs.

Schrier’s and Erwich’s memos are below.

Schrier:

Team,  

I’d like to share some organizational changes designed to help streamline our team while continuing to deliver the highest caliber shows.  

Effective today, the ABC Signature banner will sunset and its operations will be combined into 20th Television.   

20th Television will continue to be overseen by Karey Burke, who has been a vital and strategic leader across many divisions of the company. Over the past three years, she has built upon the studio’s unparalleled success in delivering groundbreaking hits.  

Tracy Underwood will transition from her role as president, ABC Signature, to a new overall producing deal with Disney Television Studios. Tracy is an exceptional leader whose passion and deep relationships with creative partners has contributed greatly to our organization, and we are excited about continuing our relationship with her as a producer. I am confident she will continue to flourish.  

Additionally, Josh Sussman has been promoted and will now lead our business affairs team, reporting into me. Josh is a thoughtful strategist who has been an integral part of Disney Television Studios since 2016. 

We are extremely fortunate to have this extraordinary group of executives leading an all-star team, whose collective commitment to creative risk-taking and delivering quality content will continue to drive our business into the future.   

Unfortunately, combining these functions means having to say goodbye to some of our colleagues and friends. These are exceedingly difficult decisions made with the utmost thought and consideration. I know change is challenging and that you all will handle it with respect and compassion.  

Looking at what lies ahead, I am confident in this remarkable team’s ability to elevate our business. Please reach out to your HR business partner with any questions, and I am here for you if you need anything at all.  

With gratitude,   
Eric

Erwich:

Team,   

Today, we are announcing some important organizational changes that will bring our linear and streaming creative teams together and establish a one-stop shop for our creative partners. This is designed to maximize one of our distinct advantages, which is the ability to launch content on both linear and streaming.  

Effective immediately, the ABC and Hulu scripted content teams will be combined under the direction of Simran Sethi, who has been elevated to president, Scripted Programming, Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment. This promotion is in recognition of the excellent work Simran has done as the head of the ABC scripted programming team. Jordan Helman will serve as EVP, drama, Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment, adding broadcast drama to his portfolio. He will report to Simran.  

On the comedy side, Erin Wehrenberg will be leaving the company. We are so thankful to Erin for her creativity and leadership overseeing ABC comedy development and current over the past few years, and wish her well in her next chapter. The comedy team will report to Simran in the interim as we determine next steps.  

Streamlining our creative functions regrettably means reductions to our valued team. These are painstaking decisions, and I’d like to acknowledge how profoundly grateful I am for the contributions made by our departing colleagues. This kind of change is never easy, but I know our team will navigate through this moment with the utmost respect and care for one another.   

As we look toward the future, I have great confidence that your combined passion and innovation will continue to position our company as a leader in entertainment.  

Thank you for everything you do each and every day. I am so proud to work alongside you.   

Craig