From Disney+ Exec Moves to Game Adaptations: How EMEA Strategy Shapes What IP Gets Turned Into Games

Hook: Why gamers and developers should care who gets promoted at Disney+ and which slates EO Media is buying

If you’re tired of guessing which TV shows will become the next must-play game, you’re not alone. Gamers, developers and licensors all face the same problem: a flood of IP on streaming and festival slates—but only a handful are worth turning into a successful game. Two shifts in early 2026 make that filtering easier: executive moves at Disney+ EMEA and EO Media’s acquisitive 2026 slate. Read on for a practical map of what types of TV/IP executives are prioritizing for cross-media adaptation, which properties are genuinely game-ready, and how to pitch or design adaptations that stand a real chance in today’s market.

Topline: What the moves mean — the elevator brief

In late 2025 and early 2026 industry signalers—like Angela Jain reshuffling Disney+ EMEA and EO Media’s aggressive buy-in of rom-coms, holiday movies and speciality titles—aren’t just reshaping linear TV slates. They’re recalibrating the pipelines that feed game studios licensed content. The pattern is clear: executives are favoring properties that offer scalable formats, social hooks, seasonal longevity, and clear mechanics—all the hallmarks of gameable IP.

Why executive roles matter for adaptations

Executives decide which shows get commissioned, prioritized for global rollouts, and marketed hard enough to build an audience that will follow a franchise into games. When Angela Jain, Disney+’s EMEA content chief, promotes commissioners like Lee Mason (known for Rivals) and Sean Doyle (known for Blind Date), it’s not just a staffing move—it signals the kinds of formats Disney+ intends to scale across the region and beyond.

“Set the team up for long term success in EMEA,” Jain told staff—language that matters when you’re evaluating IP for cross-media return.

What that signal translates to for game-makers

• Unscripted competition formats (Rivals-style): prioritized for social, PvP and live-op gaming tie-ins.
• Dating and social formats (Blind Date-style): lean into narrative sims, social matchmaking mechanics, and creator-driven livestream features.
• Scripted originals with regional bite: local-first stories that can be globalized through mechanics (e.g., branching narratives, episodic DLC).

EO Media’s acquisitive slate — a different but complementary signal

EO Media’s Content Americas 2026 slate, heavy with rom-coms, holiday movies and speciality titles (plus Cannes-winning indies like A Useful Ghost), tells a complementary story: distributors and sales agents are still investing in emotionally predictable, seasonally resonant content that performs reliably in multiple territories.

That pattern fits a specific kind of game adaptation strategy: cozy, narrative-first experiences that monetize through seasonal events, cosmetics, or premium episodic pricing rather than aggressive live-service churn.

Three adaptation archetypes highlighted by EO Media’s slate

• Rom-coms and holiday films — ideal for dating sims, narrative mobile games, and social seasonal events.
• Speciality and arthouse titles — best as premium narrative adventures, walking sims, or boutique PC/console titles that aim for critical acclaim and festival circuits.
• Found-footage/coming-of-age — ripe for immersive horror, AR/VR experiments, or episodic mystery games targeted at niche, passionate communities.

Mapping show types to game formats — a practical framework

Below is a concise matrix to help studios, licensors and IP scouts identify the right conversion path for a property. This is a working framework you can use when evaluating a TV title for games.

Unscripted competition (e.g., Rivals)

Why it’s attractive: built-in competitive mechanics, social drama, repeatable episodic structure.

• Best game types: live PvP, team-based arenas, mobile multiplayer with seasonal ranks.
• Monetization fit: cosmetics, battle passes, seasonal tickets, event-based sponsorships.
• Localization tip: tailor challenges and in-game commentary for regional celebrity cameos to boost local uptake.

Dating shows and rom-coms (e.g., Blind Date and EO Media rom-coms)

Why it’s attractive: emotional engagement, predictable narrative arcs, repeatable seasonal spikes (e.g., Valentine’s, holidays).

• Best game types: narrative dating sims, choice-driven visual novels, social match-making apps with gamified mechanics.
• Monetization fit: premium episodes, cosmetic wardrobes, story packs, gentle live ops for seasonal date events.
• Design note: prioritize accessibility (short sessions, mobile-first UI) and strong character art to drive shareability.

Speciality and arthouse (e.g., A Useful Ghost)

Why it’s attractive: unique voice, critical cachet, festival attention that can translate to premium sales.

• Best game types: narrative adventure, walking sims, curated PC/console exclusives.
• Monetization fit: premium one-time purchase, collector's editions, DLC story expansions.
• Pitching tip: focus on craft, artist collaborations and festival cross-promotion rather than mass-market metrics.

Regional strategy: why EMEA matters differently

EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) isn’t a monolith. Angela Jain’s public priority on “long-term success in EMEA” signals an editorial push toward content that can be both local and exportable. For game makers this means three practical things:

1. Localization is non-negotiable: language variants, culturally resonant character choices and local celebrity voice work increase conversion dramatically.
2. Platform selection varies by market: mobile dominates many EMEA markets; consoles and PC remain stronger in Western Europe. Plan multi-platform roadmaps.
3. Regulatory and monetization constraints: GDPR, loot box regulations and advertising rules require earlier legal involvement in licensing talks.

Licensing and deal structure — what licensors are prioritizing in 2026

Across 2025–2026, licensor priorities shifted from chasing pure licensing fees to seeking partnerships that proof audience retention and lifecycle value. Execs promoted into commissioning roles—like Mason and Doyle—are focused on formats that can be syndicated, franchised, and extended into interactive experiences without diluting brand equity.

What licensors now expect from game partners

• Clear roadmap for cross-promotion during broadcast windows (watch-to-play mechanics, in-episode cues).
• Audience-first KPIs: retention, brand lift, social engagement—not just upfront license fees.
• Respect for tone and IP stewardship: plans for creative oversight, fans-first content, and quality assurance.

Deal structures that work in 2026

• Revenue-share plus minimum guarantee for proven studios.
• Co-development agreements with creative control clauses for licensors who care about narrative fidelity.
• Time-boxed exclusives (e.g., game launches during S1–S2 broadcast windows) with post-window global distribution rights.

How to pitch a TV IP to game executives right now — step-by-step

Whether you’re a developer courting Disney+ EMEA or negotiating with EO Media’s sales team, use this checklist to make your pitch actionable and compelling.

1. Start with audience overlap: present demographics and psychographics showing the cross-section between show viewers and gamers.
2. Map mechanics to moments: link concrete scenes or format beats to game mechanics (e.g., Rivals elimination rounds -> ranked match ladder).
3. Show a phased roadmap: MVP mobile launch, then cross-platform expansion and live-op calendar aligned with TV seasons.
4. Include co-marketing hooks: watch-to-play rewards, in-show teasers, talent-driven livestreams timed to episodes.
5. Propose transparent KPIs: DAU/MAU targets, retention, ARPDAU ranges, conversion from viewers to players.

Design cautions and fan-first principles

Bad adaptations cost reputations. Three guardrails to avoid common pitfalls:

• Don’t strip the tone: a rom-com’s charm fails with predatory monetization.
• Respect canon and creators: give showrunners veto rights on critical narrative beats.
• Test small, iterate fast: use soft-launches in smaller territories to validate mechanics before global rollouts.

Case studies — practical blueprints (hypothetical, but grounded in 2026 realities)

Rivals: From TV show to competitive live-op title

Concept: A 6v6 arena game that captures the social dynamics and strategic alliances of the show. Launch on mobile and console, with short-season episodes aligned to broadcast. Monetize via cosmetic passes and in-season content.

Why it works in 2026: viewers already understand the rules and social stakes. Live ops feed back into the TV show (e.g., fan-voted events) to keep audiences engaged across platforms.

Blind Date / rom-com package: A seasonal narrative sim

Concept: Episodic dating sim with branching stories, collectible outfits, and social leaderboards for creative dates. Time new chapters to holiday spikes. Use microtransactions for optional premium routes but keep core story accessible.

Why it works: EO Media’s holiday/rom-com slate signals sustained audience demand for cozy, repeatable romantic narratives that map well to mobile habits.

A Useful Ghost (arthouse): Premium indie adaptation

Concept: A short-form walking sim on PC and console that preserves the film’s atmosphere. Sell as a premium experience and promote at festivals and niche streaming channels.

Why it works: arthouse titles attract a higher ASP and goodwill; they also create prestige for both developer and licensor when handled sensitively.

Advanced strategies: cross-pollination, measurement and long-term value

To get the most from adaptations in 2026, teams need to think beyond the initial launch. Here are advanced playbooks executives and studios are using:

• Unified analytics: stitch streaming and game metrics to measure true cross-platform engagement.
• Seasonal storytelling: sync game seasons with broadcast cycles to amplify retention.
• Creator and influencer integration: use talent from the show for seasonal in-game events and livestreams.
• Community-first roadmaps: open development channels (Discord, creator betas) to build fan trust before launch.

Quick checklist: Is a TV/IP property ripe for game adaptation?

• Clear repeatable mechanics or moments that translate to gameplay
• Strong, engaged fan community on socials or forums
• Seasonal or eventable beats (holidays, competition cycles)
• Available for global localization or has exportable core premise
• Licensor open to co-marketing and shared KPIs

Actionable takeaways

• For game developers: Pitch format-first—show how your mechanics map to a show’s beats and offer a phased rollout that starts mobile-first in priority EMEA markets.
• For IP holders/executives: Prioritize adaptations that extend retention and invite community co-creation rather than short-term licensing dollars.
• For investors and publishers: Look for adaptations tied to formats with clear engagement loops (competition, romance, seasonal events) and realistic monetization that won’t alienate core fans.

Final thoughts — where this is headed in 2026

Promotions at Disney+ EMEA under Angela Jain and EO Media’s acquisitive content strategy are early templates for the next wave of transmedia deals. The winners will be properties and partners that treat games as extensions of audience experience—not cash grabs. Expect more live-op hybrids from unscripted formats, seasonal narrative packages from rom-coms and holiday titles, and selective premium adaptations from specialty indies. If you can demonstrate audience alignment, a coherent mechanics map, and a respectful monetization plan, 2026 is fertile ground for turning TV IP into lasting game IP.

Call to action

Want help turning a show or slate into a winning game plan? Subscribe to Gammer.us for weekly analysis on licensing trends, or pitch your IP to our network of vetted developers and strategists. Send a one-paragraph brief and we’ll give you a tailored adaptation pathway in our next editorial roundup.

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