Hulu promotes Tempest to general manager

Disney-backed US streamer Hulu has promoted Lauren Tempest to general manager, with immediate effect.

Reporting to Joe Earley, president of direct-to-consumer, Disney Entertainment, Tempest will expand her current remit to assume responsibility for the Hulu business.

LA-based Tempest has served as SVP of content partnerships, acquisitions and scheduling since May 2022, originally joining Hulu in 2015. In that role, Tempest oversaw Hulu’s content library, working closely with Disney Television Studios (20th Television, 20th Animation Television, ABC Signature), Hulu Originals, FX, 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures.

She also worked with the company’s third-party partners to acquire SVOD titles, which recently included top performers like Schitt’s Creek. During her time on that team, Tempest was part of the group that established a new strategic scheduling framework and drove partnerships with Disney content brands as they launched titles like The Bear and Prey.

Prior to Hulu, Tempest spent six years with NBCUniversal’s USA Network.

“As we enter our next, critical, phase of growth for Hulu, I can think of no one better to lead us through the evolution than Lauren,” said Earley. “Over the past eight years, she has proven to be an exceptional partner and leader, while continuing to deliver the most in-demand content to our subscribers.

“The relationships she has built internally and externally have helped propel us forward, which is why I, and teams across Disney Entertainment, are excited for her to officially step into this role.”

Hulu has made a pair of factual commissions this week, with orders for an unscripted series exploring the personal life of actor, comedian and singer Wayne Brady and his family, as well as a true crime docuseries exploring the six-year journey from Sherri Papini’s disappearance to her arrest.