Disney+ Announces New European Shows, Featuring ‘Murder On Lake Garda’ and Duffy Documentary, with Plans for Increased Global Investment
Disney+ EMEA Plans Expansion of Local Content: Insights from Angela Jain
Angela Jain, the newly appointed head of content at Disney+ EMEA, has announced ambitious plans to increase the platform’s slate of original productions in the region. In her first interview since taking on the role, Jain emphasized the commitment to greenlighting more local shows, supported by additional funding.
Jain made these remarks just before addressing attendees at Series Mania, a prominent event for drama producers, executives, and press held in Lille, France. The need for new programming comes at a time when many traditional broadcasters face economic challenges amid ongoing industry consolidation.
Jain, who previously worked at ITV Studios, officially joined Disney+ in June, succeeding Liam Keelan. She expressed enthusiasm for Disney+’s growth trajectory, stating, “The level of ambition is enormous.” Jain highlighted the unique opportunity to collaborate with creative professionals across key European markets including Spain, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland. “There’s a clear message to the creative community that we want to do more with them,” she added.
Disney+ currently leans towards scripted content in its European offerings, but Jain plans to rebalance the focus. “Part of what I’m going to do is rebalance that,” she explained, noting her experience with unscripted projects like Love Island. She aims to expand unscripted content, including returning series, reality shows, and observational documentaries. “The joy of doing unscripted is that you can hopefully, in success, commission in volume, and the shows can return quicker,” Jain remarked.
Despite this expansion of unscripted programming, Jain assured that the quantity of drama will remain intact. Disney+ showcased several new series at Series Mania, including Murder on Lake Garda, based on a bestselling novel, and a documentary about British singer Duffy. Other projects include Abandoned, focusing on three children found alone at a train station, and The Strange Story of Gustav Maier, a Turkish drama that merges humor with fantasy elements.
Jain emphasized that the goal is to enhance the frequency of local originals, which will provide viewers with more access to relatable content. “What we want… is greater frequency of our local originals, so they’re not so spread out. That’s definitely part of the Disney+ growth strategy,” she explained.
Notable successes for Disney+ in local markets have included Bref 2 in France and Rivals in the UK, yet Jain acknowledged that the platform has yet to produce a widely popular global hit. “What will define a show’s success is how well it performs in the local market,” she stated, highlighting the importance of cultural impact.
Creative autonomy is key in Jain’s role, allowing her to collaborate closely with U.S. executives while retaining decision-making power on programming. She expressed that the creative process requires a balance of structure and spontaneity, remarking, “This isn’t a science; it’s art meets science.”
Additionally, Disney+ has established partnerships with local broadcasters across Europe, including the UK’s ITV and Germany’s ZDF Studios. Jain reiterated openness to innovative collaboration, stating, “If the relationship and partnership works for both of us, we’re completely open to that.”
As Jain forges ahead in her new role, the future of Disney+ EMEA’s local content strategy looks promising, aiming to enrich the platform while resonating with diverse audiences across Europe.
