Warner Bros. Discovery is making large adjustments to its U.S. Networks management.
On Friday, information broke that a number of main execs are exiting the corporate amid an ongoing restructuring.
These leaving embrace Jane Latman, HGTV and Meals Community dwelling and meals content material president; Nancy Daniels, who was answerable for Turner channels and Discovery channels; Matthew Butler, group svp of Journey Channel; and Scott Lewers, who oversees franchise sequence expansions and tentpole programming on the Discovery and Turner channels.
Kathleen Finch, chairman and CCO, U.S. Networks Group, introduced the information in a memo to employees on Friday, saying the corporate must make “further changes for the long run” because it evolves to “a extra streamlined working mannequin.”
“I’m saying a reorganization at this time that can in the end allow our enterprise to run extra successfully and collaboratively throughout all of the manufacturers and enterprise capabilities whereas sustaining our strong tradition of content material creation and highly effective storytelling,” Finch wrote.
Latman had been on the firm for practically 20 years, in line with Finch’s memo. Because of the exec’s departure, inventive oversight for programming content material falls on executives Betsy Sanner Ayala for Meals Community and Loren Ruch for HGTV. Each will report on to Finch.
In the meantime, Daniels had been on the firm for 15 years, initially overseeing TLC programming. The exec’s former Discovery Channel duties transfer to Howard Lee, who has content material management for TLC and Journey Channel, and oversight for TNT, TBS and Tru goes to Jason Sarlanis, who oversees ID and HLN crime content material.
“Whereas it’s undoubtedly troublesome to say goodbye to long-time colleagues and mates, the reorganization we’re enterprise will in the end allow our content material groups to share sources, work extra collaboratively throughout manufacturers and genres and maximize our capacity to innovate and create throughout this dynamic time for our business,” Finch mentioned.
The WBD shakeups proceed
The adjustments are simply the newest main shakeups at Warner Bros. Discovery.
Not too long ago, CNN, beneath the course of community chairman Chris Licht, rolled out layoffs and large cuts, which included ending reside programming on HLN. Exec Channing Dungey’s Warner Bros. Tv Group additionally reportedly decreased its workforce by 26% by way of layoffs in October.
In the meantime, HBO Max continues its large programming and employees cuts as Warner Bros. Discovery prepares to merge the streamer with Discovery+ within the spring.
Plus, after former DC Movies head Walter Hamada’s exit in October, James Gunn and Peter Safran got here on to function co-chairmen and CEOs of DC Studios, already reportedly making large adjustments, which can embrace dropping Patty Jenkins’ Surprise Girl 3 in addition to a slew of star-studded DC tasks.
Following WarnerMedia and Discovery’s $43 billion merger in April, CEO David Zaslav took on a mission to chop $3 billion from the finances. That quantity later rose to $3.5 billion, which means much more adjustments are probably coming.
