Stephanie Azam, who served as the head of content at Disney+ Canada, has announced her departure from the company after nearly one year. The news comes as part of a larger reorganization effort at The Walt Disney Co. in response to changing industry dynamics. As the head of content, Azam was responsible for content planning, acquisitions, and licensing for Disney+ in Canada, which is a division of the Disney ABC Television Group.
Before joining Disney+, Azam held various positions in the Canadian film industry. She was previously the vice president of development acquisitions at indie producer Sphere Films. Prior to that, she worked as the national director of feature films at Telefilm Canada, where she oversaw the financing, development, and marketing of English language indie films.
Disney recently announced its plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 7,000 jobs, indicating that the restructuring effort is impacting all areas of the company. Azam’s departure aligns with these changes as Disney aims to adapt to the evolving streaming landscape and prioritize its content strategy.
Notably, Azam’s exit also takes place amidst a broader pause in investments by Disney+ Canada and other U.S. streaming platforms in local film and TV content. This pause comes in response to the passage of Bill C-11 by the Canadian government, which mandates spending obligations on foreign streamers and social media platforms to support Canadian content.
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To regulate these new obligations, the CRTC, Canada’s TV and telecom regulator, will establish investment requirements for U.S. streamers and define what qualifies as Canadian content. This includes clarifying the status of user-generated content on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook in relation to local spending requirements.
Simultaneously, the Canadian federal government will hold separate hearings to update the country’s broadcast laws and provide clarity on what constitutes a Canadian film or TV program. These hearings aim to modernize regulations and establish guidelines for American players as they invest in independent Canadian productions, a role that Azam previously managed at Disney+ Canada.
The details of Azam’s departure and the reasons behind it have not been disclosed. However, Variety was the first to report on her exit, suggesting that it is a significant development within the company.
As Disney+ Canada moves forward, it will face the challenge of navigating the new regulatory landscape while continuing to deliver compelling content to its Canadian audience. The departure of Stephanie Azam marks a shift in leadership and highlights the evolving nature of the streaming industry as companies adapt to changing regulations and market dynamics. Disney+ will need to make strategic decisions to ensure its continued success in the Canadian market and maintain its position as a leading streaming platform.
