LaBerge has played a crucial role in the development of Disney’s streaming services, particularly in integrating advertising into Disney+ and unifying Hulu and Disney+ within one streaming application. His contributions have been instrumental in the success of Disney’s streaming platforms. In addition, he has also been a key figure behind ESPN’s streaming services, including ESPN+ and the upcoming sports streaming application co-owned by Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox.
LaBerge first joined Disney in the late 1990s as part of the company’s takeover of Starwave, a Paul Allen-founded company that partnered with ESPN before Disney fully acquired it in 1998. Over his 20 years at Disney, he has set the vision and strategic leadership for Disney’s use of technology to enable storytelling and innovation.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro and Disney Entertainment co-Chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman thanked LaBerge for his contributions over his time at Disney. They expressed confidence that his transition to a role at PENN Entertainment would continue to benefit both companies. A search for LaBerge’s successor is already underway, with Chris Lawson, Disney’s executive vice president of content operations, set to take over on an interim basis.
