Disney has hired a new executive from Meta to lead a product engineering group in preparation for the launch of its flagship ESPN streaming service. Andre Rohe, formerly vp of engineering at Meta, joined Disney Entertainment & ESPN in January. He will serve as evp of product engineering and report to Adam Smith, the chief product/tech officer. Rohe brings years of experience from YouTube and Google, specializing in recommendation and product personalization.
According to Smith, Rohe is a talented technologist with a collaborative spirit. Rohe expressed excitement to work with Adam and lead the team of engineers in shaping the future of entertainment and sports engagement. Disney has been expanding its presence in the streaming industry, with Disney+ and Hulu boasting 174 million subscribers and ESPN+ having 25 million subscribers. The company is also emphasizing its broad reach across platforms with 157 million ad-supported monthly active users.
Disney’s next venture is the launch of ESPN’s flagship streaming service, set to transition the brand from linear TV to digital. Disney CFO Hugh Johnston described the upcoming service as a more interactive and sophisticated product, focusing on increased user engagement. The goal is to provide a true digital native experience, allowing users to engage with ESPN through features like ESPN Bet directly on the app.