Alisa Bowen, current head of global business operations for Disney’s streaming platforms, has been named president of Disney+ effective immediately.
In her new role Bowen will build on the flagship streaming service, including the upcoming launch of an ad-supported tier. A Disney+ tier with ads is slated to launch December 8 at a price of $7.99 per month (the monthly cost for the ad-free version was upped from $7.99 to $10.99).
Bowen has led content and business operations for Disney’s direct-to-consumer streaming platforms, including Disney+ since the service launched in 2019, as well as Hulu, ESPN+, and Star+. She joined Disney in 2017 and was most recently EVP of Global Business Operations for Disney Streaming.
Regional leaders for Disney+ in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America will report to both Bowen and regional leadership. Bowen will still report to Michael Paull, president of Direct to Consumer at Disney Media Entertainment & Distribution.
“Alisa has been an indispensable member of our leadership team since the inception of Disney+,” said Paull in a statement. “She possesses a rare and valuable combination of deep institutional knowledge, forward-thinking innovation, and global vision rooted in a strong focus on our consumer, that is perfectly suited for this critical role, and I am confident that she will have an immediate and positive impact on the business.”
Since its launch nearly three years ago Disney+ has amassed 152.1 million total subscriptions as of the end of the third quarter fiscal year 2022, and now reaches 154 markets worldwide. In the most recent quarter Disney+ added 14.4 million subscribers, including 6 million “core” customers and around 8 million for Disney+ Hotstar, its offering in India.
“Disney+ is a phenomenal growth story and has delighted fans around the world at tremendous scale. We have a best-in-class team behind this success and I'm excited to partner with them in this new role, as we drive the next phase of Disney+ growth," commented Bowen in a statement. "Our upcoming content is incredibly exciting, and we are committed to innovation to give our fans and subscribers the best possible experience, including more choice on how they can enjoy Disney+."
Before joining Disney, Bowen was CTO of News Corp Australia where she oversaw the shift to digital subscription business models and launch of new digital advertising offerings. Prior to that she’s held leadership roles at major media organizations, including chief product officer at Dow Jones and head of Business Operations for Reuters Media.