The Walt Disney Company has named Rochelle Knock as its new vice president for Disney+ and Networks and country head for sub-Saharan Africa, with her tenure set to commence in December 2025. Transitioning from her role as head of customer value management at Yoco Technologies, Knock brings a wealth of expertise in media, telecommunications, and digital payments to drive Disney’s strategic ambitions across the region. As reported by Variety, this appointment marks a significant step in reinforcing the company’s 60-year legacy on the continent, where it operates two offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, employing 60 staff to serve 40 sub-Saharan countries.
In her capacity as country head, Knock will spearhead Disney’s business growth strategy in sub-Saharan Africa, fostering collaboration across teams to capitalise on emerging opportunities. Her remit includes overseeing the direct-to-consumer streaming service Disney+, as well as managing family and factual linear networks. She will also work closely with the platform distribution team and support broader business development initiatives managed at the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regional level. Ensuring alignment with Disney’s global brand, franchise priorities, and storytelling ethos will be central to her role, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This strategic focus comes as Disney+ continues to expand its subscriber base in South Africa, where it launched in 2022 and now commands a 15% share of the streaming market, trailing only Netflix’s 42%, per TechCentral.
Simon Amselem, senior vice president for direct-to-consumer and networks and country manager for Iberia and sub-Saharan Africa, highlighted Knock’s appointment as a pivotal moment for Disney’s regional aspirations. He praised her deep industry insight and proficiency in customer value and product management, noting their alignment with Disney’s goal of expanding its storytelling reach to new audiences across the continent. Knock expressed enthusiasm for leading Disney’s African operations and collaborating with EMEA colleagues to deliver sustained growth. She underscored the dynamic potential of the media landscape and her intent to build on Disney’s established presence to amplify its beloved brands, as conveyed in BusinessWire.
Disney’s footprint in Africa, primarily anchored in South Africa, spans over six decades, delivering entertainment, information, and inspiration through its diverse portfolio. The company’s streaming platform, Disney+, has gained traction by offering a mix of global blockbusters like The Lion King and Marvel franchises alongside local content partnerships, such as collaborations with South African filmmakers to produce region-specific documentaries and series. According to Screen Africa, Disney+ added 200,000 subscribers in South Africa in 2024 alone, driven by bundled offerings with mobile networks like MTN and Vodacom, which cover 70% of the country’s mobile market. The company’s linear networks, including Disney Channel and National Geographic, reach 12 million households across the region, bolstered by MultiChoice’s DStv platform, per Broadband TV News.
Knock’s appointment leverages her extensive track record in steering growth for some of Africa’s most prominent brands. At Yoco Technologies, a leading digital payments provider, she orchestrated customer lifecycle strategies that boosted retention by 25% and expanded product adoption among small businesses, as noted in FinTech Magazine. Her prior tenure at MultiChoice Group saw her serve as executive head of product and base management and later customer value management, where she led initiatives across product development, consumer marketing, data analytics, and operations. At MultiChoice, she was instrumental in growing DStv’s subscriber base by 10% through targeted campaigns and analytics-driven personalisation, contributing to a 15% revenue uptick in the pay-TV segment, according to MyBroadband.
The African media market, valued at R150 billion annually, is witnessing rapid evolution, with streaming services projected to grow at a 12% compound annual rate through 2030, driven by rising smartphone penetration and affordable data plans, per Statista. Disney faces stiff competition from Netflix, which commands 2.5 million South African subscribers, and Amazon Prime Video, alongside local players like Showmax, which relaunched in 2024 with a focus on African originals. Knock’s challenge will be to deepen Disney+’s penetration in urban and rural markets while navigating economic constraints, where only 20% of South Africans can afford premium subscriptions, as reported by Business Day. Her experience in data-driven engagement at MultiChoice and Yoco positions her to enhance Disney’s omnichannel strategy, integrating streaming, linear TV, and merchandising to maximise consumer touchpoints.
This leadership transition coincides with Disney’s broader EMEA restructuring, which aims to streamline operations and prioritise high-growth markets like Africa, where urbanisation and a youthful demographic—60% of the population is under 25—offer significant upside. The company’s investment in local content, including co-productions with Nollywood and South African studios, has yielded hits like Mufasa: The Lion King, set for a December 2025 release, expected to drive cinema and streaming uptake, per FilmAfrica. Knock’s role will also involve strengthening partnerships with regional broadcasters and telecoms, ensuring Disney’s content remains accessible amid rising demand for culturally resonant storytelling.
As Disney navigates a competitive landscape marked by economic volatility and digital disruption, Knock’s appointment signals a strategic intent to blend global brand power with localised innovation. Her leadership is poised to elevate Disney’s influence in sub-Saharan Africa, delivering stories that resonate while driving sustainable commercial growth.