Debra OConnell Adds ABC News Oversight As President Of News Group & Networks For Disney Entertainment

Nellie Andreeva
·2 min read

Disney veteran Debra OConnell has been elevated to the new role of president, News Group and Networks, Disney Entertainment.

In the restructure, OConnell adds ABC News to her existing purview that includes the ABC Owned Television Stations and P&L responsibilities across the Disney multiplatform linear entertainment networks, including ABC, Disney Channels, FX Networks, Freeform and National Geographic Channels. She will continue to report to Dana Walden, co-chairman, Disney Entertainment.

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ABC News President Kim Godwin, who has extended her contract, will join Chad Matthews, president, ABC Owned Television Stations, in reporting to OConnell.

“Debra is an excellent executive who has succeeded in a wide range of leadership roles around our company and knows very well the extraordinary power of ABC News and its world-class journalists,” Walden said. “This new role gives her oversight across all our linear operations, where she will be able to optimize our iconic brands and shepherd them into the future. I look forward to having her lead these incredibly talented teams as we build on our success.”

OConnell, a respected, 27-year veteran of The Walt Disney Company, most recently served as president, Networks and Television Business Operations for DET.

Previously, OConnell led WABC-TV New York as president and general manager, where she had overall management responsibility for the station and all of its ancillary businesses as well as Live with Kelly and Ryan. Under her leadership, the long-running hit series became the No. 1 syndicated daytime talk show for the first time in franchise history. In her previous executive roles, she served as EVP, Sales and Marketing, of Disney|ABC’s consolidated advertising sales group; president, National TV Sales, ABC Owned Television Stations; and vice president of marketing at WABC-TV.

OConnell is on the board of directors for A&E Networks, National Geographic Partners and TVB, a not-for-profit trade association representing America’s local broadcast television industry.

“I consider it a privilege to advocate for the best networks, the best news organization and the best stations in the world, and thank Dana for her leadership and trust,” OConnell said. “I’m excited to work with Kim, Chad and these exceptional teams on strategies to superserve our viewers for years to come.”

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