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While the service had dabbled a little with first-run fare (rememberThe Awesomes?
Thats a pretty diverse collection of programming brands, but the breadth of Erwichs role is not accidental.
Given the breadth of Erwichs current job, I had a lot to ask him about.
It felt pretty much like a stunt to drive awareness of one of the companys biggest hits.
It was basically turning a Hulu original into ABC programming.
It felt like a notable, strategic evolution in how you programmed both platforms.
Is that the right way to look at it?
So it has a lot of the brand values that an ABC show has.
So we really put a lot of thought into how we were going to roll out the show.
And it seemed to work: Some of the episodes had a bigger audience than some first-run internet comedies.
Youve got to be thinking about doing more of this, no?
CBS obviouslyairedYellowstonefrom Paramount data pipe last fall and is putting Paramount+s Tulsa King on this summer.
Is that how you see it?
We always start with the audience.
It just requires a lot of thought and care versus just throwing something on willy-nilly.
So a great Hulu Original is something that both reflects and pierces popular culture, and is addictive.
And that will continue to be both the brand filter and the goal for Hulu Originals.
It really just depends on their mood.
So for the Hulu customer, its a small difference between whats a Hulu Original and an ABC show.
Theyre just watching shows.
Thats why theyre hits.
The Hulu Originals have probably more of a pay television sensibility.
They tend to be more highly serialized, which is not ideal for web link television.
They might be covering subject matter or have content thats not suitable for a broadcast platform.
So these things tend to sort themselves out.
I also think you have to look at what the shows are trying to accomplish for each platform.
So each show has to accomplish something different for each platform.
I think a procedural can be very broadly defined, and theres a spectrum of them.
There are procedurals where theyre literally cases that are resolved fully traditional procedurals likeThe Rookie.
And then there are ones that could be more highly serialized or play with the form.
We always start with, What does the viewer need?
Again, we are not going to get caught up on brands or budgets.
But right now, its a very efficient system.
It moved to ABC this season and has immediately boosted your Thursday numbers.
Ryans got so many ideas.
And he is doing a new show for ABC that will be on next fall.
It stars Joshua Jackson, and its called Dr. Odyssey.
Its a medical procedural set on a cruise ship.
So were certainly always hoping to do more with him.
One reason you might need more dramas is becauseThe Good DoctorandStation 19are ending this season.
Ive been doing this for a long time.
You always have to make tough choices.
So were just focused on developing and launching things and bringing them to market with tremendous focus and intent.
That strategy and that discipline has really worked for us over the last few years.
The same care and detail went into bringingOnly Murders in the Buildingout, as did theGolden Bachelor.
That laser focus is really what we are about, versus how many.
This feels like a natural point to move into your unscripted portfolio, especially at ABC.
Were you happy with the results?
Dancing With the Stars, I think, embodies what an ABC show is.
Its a show the whole family can watch together.
Its highly original and its unpredictable.
And we know that different audiences want to watch their shows at different times and different places.
One unscripted show you have renewed for next season isGolden Bachelor, which will do aGolden Bacheloretteseason.
And the most recent season of The Bachelor finished up with some of its best multiplatform ratings since 2021.
But the same thing has happened over at CBS withSurvivor.
Is it all about the proper care and maintenance of these tentpoles?
And it certainly was a show that hit the right chord at the right time.
And onThe Bachelor, Joey was an excellent bachelor one of our best in a long time.
The other big unscripted hit this season on ABC wasMonday Night Football, which was a simulcast from ESPN.
Its the first time in years the full roster of games also aired on ABC.
Can we expect the same thing next season?
We have always had and continue to have regularly scheduled games on ABC.
Lets talk about comedy.Abbott Elementarywas renewed for its fourth season just a couple days after season three premiered.
Whats your thinking about comedy on ABC going forward, especially with the big success of Abbott?
We really believe in the power of a good comedy.
You see what Abbott Elementaryhas done in terms of really transforming the comedy landscape.
It was the first broadcast comedy to win Emmys and Golden Globes in years.
So its a show were really proud of, and I think comedies have the ability to do that.
So were certainly leaning in to more.
Will you have some new ones for next season?
Is it about how much profit its making for Disney?
We have a variety of metrics.
Ill start with the most important one for us: Is this show creatively excellent?
Is it something that were proud of?
Is it distinct and original?
It definitely starts there.
That is a huge factor.
But ultimately, it becomes about how large the pie is.
Some shows are better performers on linear; some shows over-index on Hulu.
They just have to over-index somewhere.
Ultimately, it has to aggregate to a large enough number to justify the investment.
And ABC is still an important part of this equation, yes?
How important is ABCs overall health to Dana and the other top execs in Burbank?
Dana has been nothing but supportive of and an advocate for ABC.
Its a critical part of the Disney ecosystem.
And it is a massive promotional megaphone for the company.
And its the thing that you have that the tech companies dont have.
Its a tremendous advantage for us as we bring shows to market.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
