Eduardo Acuna was appointed to take over as Cineworld Group CEO last month.
Moshe ‘Mooky’ Greidinger and his brother Israel Greidinger have resigned from their roles with Cineworld Group, bringing to an end a nine-year association with the exhibition chain.
On Monday, July 31, Mooky and Israel resigned as directors of Cineworld Cinemas Holdings Ltd, Cineworld Cinemas Ltd, Cineworld Cinema Properties Ltd, Cine-uk Ltd and Picturehouse Cinemas Ltd, according to Companies House records.
Mooky had been CEO of Cineworld since May 2014; but, alongside Israel as deputy CEO and chief commercial officer Renana Teperberg, secured a combined payout last month approaching $35m...
Moshe ‘Mooky’ Greidinger and his brother Israel Greidinger have resigned from their roles with Cineworld Group, bringing to an end a nine-year association with the exhibition chain.
On Monday, July 31, Mooky and Israel resigned as directors of Cineworld Cinemas Holdings Ltd, Cineworld Cinemas Ltd, Cineworld Cinema Properties Ltd, Cine-uk Ltd and Picturehouse Cinemas Ltd, according to Companies House records.
Mooky had been CEO of Cineworld since May 2014; but, alongside Israel as deputy CEO and chief commercial officer Renana Teperberg, secured a combined payout last month approaching $35m...
- 8/2/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Cinema giant and Regal Entertainment owner Cineworld has successfully completed its financial restructuring process and emerged from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases in the U.S. The exhibition company unveiled the news late on Monday along with new board members, including former Warner Bros. top executive Ann Sarnoff.
Shareholders have been wiped out as part of the financial restructuring, with a new, incorporated company controlled by lenders now controlling Cineworld. The movie theater chain and its various parts reduced their indebtedness by approximately $4.53 billion, raised approximately $800 million in new equity capital, and secured new debt financing worth approximately $1.71 billion. “With this strengthened and recapitalized balance sheet, the group is well-positioned to pursue future strategic initiatives and continue providing leading cinematic experiences for customers globally, including through investments in new screen formats and enhancements to its flagship theaters,” the company said.
Earlier in the day, Cineworld had named an administrator in the U.
Shareholders have been wiped out as part of the financial restructuring, with a new, incorporated company controlled by lenders now controlling Cineworld. The movie theater chain and its various parts reduced their indebtedness by approximately $4.53 billion, raised approximately $800 million in new equity capital, and secured new debt financing worth approximately $1.71 billion. “With this strengthened and recapitalized balance sheet, the group is well-positioned to pursue future strategic initiatives and continue providing leading cinematic experiences for customers globally, including through investments in new screen formats and enhancements to its flagship theaters,” the company said.
Earlier in the day, Cineworld had named an administrator in the U.
- 8/1/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Former WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group chair and CEO Ann Sarnoff has joined the board of directors of Cineworld as the group emerges from Chapter 11 cases.
Cineworld Group and its subsidiaries had commenced Chapter 11 cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court in September 2022. On Aug. 1, 2023, the group, which operates the Regal cinemas chain in the U.S., said it had successfully completed its financial restructuring process and had emerged from its Chapter 11 cases.
While existing shareholders are largely wiped out, the restructuring moves include an $800 million rights issue to raise new capital, the release of some $4.35 billion of the group’s funded indebtedness and the provision of $1.71 billion of new debt financing. Within those new borrowings is a revolving credit facility of $250 million.
“With this strengthened and recapitalized balance sheet, the group is well-positioned to pursue future strategic initiatives and continue providing leading cinematic experiences for customers globally, including through...
Cineworld Group and its subsidiaries had commenced Chapter 11 cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court in September 2022. On Aug. 1, 2023, the group, which operates the Regal cinemas chain in the U.S., said it had successfully completed its financial restructuring process and had emerged from its Chapter 11 cases.
While existing shareholders are largely wiped out, the restructuring moves include an $800 million rights issue to raise new capital, the release of some $4.35 billion of the group’s funded indebtedness and the provision of $1.71 billion of new debt financing. Within those new borrowings is a revolving credit facility of $250 million.
“With this strengthened and recapitalized balance sheet, the group is well-positioned to pursue future strategic initiatives and continue providing leading cinematic experiences for customers globally, including through...
- 8/1/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Cineworld, owner of the Regal Cinemas movie theater chain, announced Monday that it has emerged from bankruptcy following a restructuring that among other things includes the incorporation of a new parent company, still called Cineworld.
The company has also announced a new board of directors whose members include former Warner Bros. CEO Ann Sarnoff.
With its restructuring, Cineworld said in a statement Monday that it has reduced its funded indebtedness by more than $4.5 billion, has “raised approximately $88 million in new equity capital,” and secured around $1.71 billion in new debt financing, which includes $250 million of revolving credit.
“With this strengthened and recapitalized balance sheet, the Group is well-positioned to pursue future strategic initiatives and continue providing leading cinematic experiences for customers globally, including through investments in new screen formats and enhancements to its flagship theatres,” the company said.
Alongside Eduardo Acuna, who was named Cineworld CEO June 13, and Eric Foss, who...
The company has also announced a new board of directors whose members include former Warner Bros. CEO Ann Sarnoff.
With its restructuring, Cineworld said in a statement Monday that it has reduced its funded indebtedness by more than $4.5 billion, has “raised approximately $88 million in new equity capital,” and secured around $1.71 billion in new debt financing, which includes $250 million of revolving credit.
“With this strengthened and recapitalized balance sheet, the Group is well-positioned to pursue future strategic initiatives and continue providing leading cinematic experiences for customers globally, including through investments in new screen formats and enhancements to its flagship theatres,” the company said.
Alongside Eduardo Acuna, who was named Cineworld CEO June 13, and Eric Foss, who...
- 8/1/2023
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Regal parent Cineworld has officially emerged from bankruptcy, unveiling five new board members and a strengthened balance sheet. The chain, which was flattened by Covid and high debt, filed for Chapter 11 in the Southern District of Texas last September.
It exits today having reduced that debt by about $4.53 billion and raised $800 million in new equity capital. The restructuring also saw it secure new debt financing of $1.71 billion, including a new $250- million revolving credit facility. “With this strengthened and recapitalized balance sheet, the Group is well-positioned to pursue future strategic initiatives and continue providing leading cinematic experiences for customers globally,” the company said in a statement.
As previously announced, Eduardo Acuna, former president of Cinépolis Americas and Cinépolis Do Brazil, is stepping in to replace Mooky Greidinger as chief executive Eric Foss, former CEO of Pepsi Bottling Group and Aramark, is chairman of the board.
They’re joined by additional new directors,...
It exits today having reduced that debt by about $4.53 billion and raised $800 million in new equity capital. The restructuring also saw it secure new debt financing of $1.71 billion, including a new $250- million revolving credit facility. “With this strengthened and recapitalized balance sheet, the Group is well-positioned to pursue future strategic initiatives and continue providing leading cinematic experiences for customers globally,” the company said in a statement.
As previously announced, Eduardo Acuna, former president of Cinépolis Americas and Cinépolis Do Brazil, is stepping in to replace Mooky Greidinger as chief executive Eric Foss, former CEO of Pepsi Bottling Group and Aramark, is chairman of the board.
They’re joined by additional new directors,...
- 8/1/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Board members include former Warner Bros CEO Ann Sarnoff
Cineworld emerged as expected from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday (July 31) and named a new board of directors including former Warner Bros CEO Ann Sarnoff.
The move came after Friday’s suspension of the exhibitor’s shares on the London stock exchange and marks the completion of the beleaguered company’s financial restructuring.
Eric Foss, the previously announced chairperson of the new board, said in a statement that with “a transformed balance sheet and a right-sized capital structure, Cineworld is ready and fully able to succeed in this dynamic and constantly changing movie theatre industry.
Cineworld emerged as expected from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday (July 31) and named a new board of directors including former Warner Bros CEO Ann Sarnoff.
The move came after Friday’s suspension of the exhibitor’s shares on the London stock exchange and marks the completion of the beleaguered company’s financial restructuring.
Eric Foss, the previously announced chairperson of the new board, said in a statement that with “a transformed balance sheet and a right-sized capital structure, Cineworld is ready and fully able to succeed in this dynamic and constantly changing movie theatre industry.
- 8/1/2023
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Zachary Levi is addressing the “sad but true” reality about the box office bomb of “Shazam! Fury of the Gods.”
The Dcu sequel film underperformed at the box office, and Levi took to Twitter to discuss the film with fans. One Twitter user responded to Levi, “I’ve liked you since ‘Chuck’ and its unfortunate the disappointment of the box office of ‘Shazam 2.’ But I don’t think Snyder fans should take the blame, after all they’re a minority, right? I think too many chefs on the kitchen for WB. You & David are cool guys.”
Levi responded, “Hmmm. Where did you get the idea that I’m blaming the Snyder fans?”
Another fan wrote, “But there is no denying that at the moment there are many Snyder fans who are happy for the failure of your film and many of them wish that everything that is to come...
The Dcu sequel film underperformed at the box office, and Levi took to Twitter to discuss the film with fans. One Twitter user responded to Levi, “I’ve liked you since ‘Chuck’ and its unfortunate the disappointment of the box office of ‘Shazam 2.’ But I don’t think Snyder fans should take the blame, after all they’re a minority, right? I think too many chefs on the kitchen for WB. You & David are cool guys.”
Levi responded, “Hmmm. Where did you get the idea that I’m blaming the Snyder fans?”
Another fan wrote, “But there is no denying that at the moment there are many Snyder fans who are happy for the failure of your film and many of them wish that everything that is to come...
- 3/21/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Click here to read the full article.
On Oct. 24, the head of Hollywood’s most beloved charity, the century-old Motion Picture & Television Fund, warned of its “imminent demise” if it didn’t raise at least 10 million by the end of this year. CEO Bob Beitcher wrote in an open letter sent to industry members the next day that, since the onset of the pandemic, the organization, which provides social services and residential options for currently employed and retired entertainment workers, had incurred a massive operating shortfall largely stemming from Covid-related expenses and lost earnings from philanthropic events.
“Never sufficiently endowed, MPTF has always survived year to year and deficit to deficit,” he explained in the letter, which also ran as an ad in The Hollywood Reporter. “We are now operating in dangerous territory, rapidly depleting our cash reserves.” Beitcher argued that the organization’s capacity to help the thousands...
On Oct. 24, the head of Hollywood’s most beloved charity, the century-old Motion Picture & Television Fund, warned of its “imminent demise” if it didn’t raise at least 10 million by the end of this year. CEO Bob Beitcher wrote in an open letter sent to industry members the next day that, since the onset of the pandemic, the organization, which provides social services and residential options for currently employed and retired entertainment workers, had incurred a massive operating shortfall largely stemming from Covid-related expenses and lost earnings from philanthropic events.
“Never sufficiently endowed, MPTF has always survived year to year and deficit to deficit,” he explained in the letter, which also ran as an ad in The Hollywood Reporter. “We are now operating in dangerous territory, rapidly depleting our cash reserves.” Beitcher argued that the organization’s capacity to help the thousands...
- 11/8/2022
- by Gary Baum and Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
The Motion Picture & Television Fund, the prominent Hollywood charity founded over 100 years ago by Mary Pickford, “desperately” and “urgently” needs donations amid a steep drop in cash reserves, its president and CEO is telling industry leaders.
“Coming through the pandemic, every member of the MPTF fiduciary team has been forced to take a hard look at our financial circumstances; and right now, things don’t look good,” Bob Beitcher wrote to industry leaders in an email on Tuesday. “Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, MPTF has incurred a staggering operating shortfall—the result of Covid-related costs for residents and staff on our campus in Woodland Hills, nursing shortages and lower occupancy rates, and lost revenues from our major events during the pandemic—all costing us over 20 million.” Deadline was the first to report on the message.
According to an auditor...
The Motion Picture & Television Fund, the prominent Hollywood charity founded over 100 years ago by Mary Pickford, “desperately” and “urgently” needs donations amid a steep drop in cash reserves, its president and CEO is telling industry leaders.
“Coming through the pandemic, every member of the MPTF fiduciary team has been forced to take a hard look at our financial circumstances; and right now, things don’t look good,” Bob Beitcher wrote to industry leaders in an email on Tuesday. “Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, MPTF has incurred a staggering operating shortfall—the result of Covid-related costs for residents and staff on our campus in Woodland Hills, nursing shortages and lower occupancy rates, and lost revenues from our major events during the pandemic—all costing us over 20 million.” Deadline was the first to report on the message.
According to an auditor...
- 10/25/2022
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Another wave of Warner Bros Discovery post-merger layoffs is coming.
We hear multiple divisions of the merged company will be impacted, with Warner Bros. Television Group considered a main target. The staff reductions are expected this week, as soon as (and likely) Tuesday. Speculation about the imminent downsizing started spreading like wildfire Monday morning. Reps for Wbd and Wbtvg declined comment.
The number of layoffs is unclear but appears to be substantial. The HBO/HBO Max programming operation in August laid off 14 of staff — about 70 people — the vast majority of them on the Max side, with the areas of Max Non-Fiction Originals, International, Acquisitions, Casting and Live-Action Family Originals as the most heavily impacted.
Like with HBO/HBO Max, the Wbtvg cuts are expected to be accompanied by structural changes spearheaded by Chairman Channing Dungey.
A new round of Wbd layoffs was expected in the fall as the goal has...
We hear multiple divisions of the merged company will be impacted, with Warner Bros. Television Group considered a main target. The staff reductions are expected this week, as soon as (and likely) Tuesday. Speculation about the imminent downsizing started spreading like wildfire Monday morning. Reps for Wbd and Wbtvg declined comment.
The number of layoffs is unclear but appears to be substantial. The HBO/HBO Max programming operation in August laid off 14 of staff — about 70 people — the vast majority of them on the Max side, with the areas of Max Non-Fiction Originals, International, Acquisitions, Casting and Live-Action Family Originals as the most heavily impacted.
Like with HBO/HBO Max, the Wbtvg cuts are expected to be accompanied by structural changes spearheaded by Chairman Channing Dungey.
A new round of Wbd layoffs was expected in the fall as the goal has...
- 10/10/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva and Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
After the banner year of 2021, L.A.’s high-end real estate market is seeing challenges, including some softening of prices, continued low inventory and rising interest rates (an average 30-year fixed mortgage rate today is about 5.8 percent compared with about 2.9 percent a year ago). “It will take some time for buyers to acclimate to the interest rate increases; it’s all cyclical,” says Hilton & Hyland’s Justin Paul Huchel. But for L.A.’s top agents, these setbacks are an opportunity to refocus on a core value: finding clients their perfect home. Despite the market softening, agents profess that they aren’t worried. According to Redfin, the median sale in Beverly Hills still clocks in at 3.8 million, up 15.4 percent from last year. And agents aren’t hurting financially, either. Although marketing, staff and office space must be factored in, many of the area...
After the banner year of 2021, L.A.’s high-end real estate market is seeing challenges, including some softening of prices, continued low inventory and rising interest rates (an average 30-year fixed mortgage rate today is about 5.8 percent compared with about 2.9 percent a year ago). “It will take some time for buyers to acclimate to the interest rate increases; it’s all cyclical,” says Hilton & Hyland’s Justin Paul Huchel. But for L.A.’s top agents, these setbacks are an opportunity to refocus on a core value: finding clients their perfect home. Despite the market softening, agents profess that they aren’t worried. According to Redfin, the median sale in Beverly Hills still clocks in at 3.8 million, up 15.4 percent from last year. And agents aren’t hurting financially, either. Although marketing, staff and office space must be factored in, many of the area...
- 9/10/2022
- by Hadley Meares, Virginia K. Smith and Edited by Degen Pener
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
At HBO Max, the Bat-folk can’t catch a break. Weeks after the decision to kill the effectively completed straight-to-streaming movie “Batgirl,” HBO Max canceled “Batman: Caped Crusader” and “Merry Little Batman,” among four other animated projects. The good news for these six newly scrapped Warner Bros. Animation projects is they are still full steam ahead in production and being shopped elsewhere, a person with knowledge of the situation told IndieWire — unlike “Batgirl,” which will never see the light of day.
A second source told IndieWire that HBO Max has made the choice to spend some time away from the kids-and-family sandbox. It’s a crowded and expensive field, and HBO Max isn’t a breakout brand for that type of programming. Disney+ and Netflix will vie for the kids’ market, one with no opportunity for ad revenue — both made a pledge to let the programming run commercial free — in...
A second source told IndieWire that HBO Max has made the choice to spend some time away from the kids-and-family sandbox. It’s a crowded and expensive field, and HBO Max isn’t a breakout brand for that type of programming. Disney+ and Netflix will vie for the kids’ market, one with no opportunity for ad revenue — both made a pledge to let the programming run commercial free — in...
- 8/23/2022
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Warner Bros. Discovery has let go of four top executives, including Karen Grant-Selma and Jennifer Giddens, at the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), Variety has learned exclusively.
Grant-Selma serves as general counsel for the network, while Giddens is chief marketing officer.
Additionally, Nicole Nichols, OWN’s executive vice president of communications, is exiting her role at the network. She also heads communication for Harpo Productions, Winfrey’s production company, and serves as Winfrey’s personal representative. She will now transition into focusing on these roles full-time.
MaryBeth Cunin, head of programming and scheduling for OWN, is also on her way out.
The news adds to a long string of high-profile exits since David Zaslav took over as the CEO of a post-merger Wbd. However, most major departures before this have come from the Warner Bros. side of the equation — WarnerMedia CEO and chairman Ann Sarnoff and global communications head Johanna Fuentes,...
Grant-Selma serves as general counsel for the network, while Giddens is chief marketing officer.
Additionally, Nicole Nichols, OWN’s executive vice president of communications, is exiting her role at the network. She also heads communication for Harpo Productions, Winfrey’s production company, and serves as Winfrey’s personal representative. She will now transition into focusing on these roles full-time.
MaryBeth Cunin, head of programming and scheduling for OWN, is also on her way out.
The news adds to a long string of high-profile exits since David Zaslav took over as the CEO of a post-merger Wbd. However, most major departures before this have come from the Warner Bros. side of the equation — WarnerMedia CEO and chairman Ann Sarnoff and global communications head Johanna Fuentes,...
- 8/19/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
If there was one thing that the turbulent week at Warner Bros. Discovery displayed, it’s just how quickly conventional wisdom can change from one regime to the next, when each is trying to gin up the stock price for Wall Street.
Wbd chief David Zaslav was busy. On the eve of a rumored layoff bloodbath across the company to cut at least 3 billion of debt off the books, there was the abrupt and cruel cancelation of Batgirl and the HBO Max animated feature Scoob! with the latter message delivered while the co-directors were in Morocco as one of them was getting married.
There has also been rampant speculation there may be further trims of the HBO Max development slate of J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot after Abrams’ big-ticket series Demimonde was scrapped in one of the new regime’s first moves. It’s clear that current DC Films head...
Wbd chief David Zaslav was busy. On the eve of a rumored layoff bloodbath across the company to cut at least 3 billion of debt off the books, there was the abrupt and cruel cancelation of Batgirl and the HBO Max animated feature Scoob! with the latter message delivered while the co-directors were in Morocco as one of them was getting married.
There has also been rampant speculation there may be further trims of the HBO Max development slate of J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot after Abrams’ big-ticket series Demimonde was scrapped in one of the new regime’s first moves. It’s clear that current DC Films head...
- 8/7/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr, Peter White and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav addressed the company’s controversial decision this week to cancel releases for “Batgirl” and “Scoob!: Holiday Haunt,” during the company’s Q2 earnings call on Thursday.
“We’re not going to launch a movie until it’s ready,” Zaslav said during the Q&a portion of the call, when asked directly about “Batgirl” getting the ax. “We’re not going to launch a movie to make a quarter and we’re not going to put a movie out unless we believe in it.”
During the presentation, Zaslav repeatedly pointed to the company’s DC superhero properties — including Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman — as central to the company’s broader content strategy. To better marshal those properties, Zaslav cited his previously reported goal of putting together a team with a “10-year plan focusing just on DC,” similar to the approach Disney has taken with Marvel Studios,...
“We’re not going to launch a movie until it’s ready,” Zaslav said during the Q&a portion of the call, when asked directly about “Batgirl” getting the ax. “We’re not going to launch a movie to make a quarter and we’re not going to put a movie out unless we believe in it.”
During the presentation, Zaslav repeatedly pointed to the company’s DC superhero properties — including Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman — as central to the company’s broader content strategy. To better marshal those properties, Zaslav cited his previously reported goal of putting together a team with a “10-year plan focusing just on DC,” similar to the approach Disney has taken with Marvel Studios,...
- 8/4/2022
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Updated: Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah responded to Warner Bros.’ decision to shelve “Batgirl” via an Instagram statement shared on Wednesday afternoon.
“We are saddened and shocked by the news. We still can’t believe it,” the duo said. “As directors, it is critical that our work be shown to audiences, and while the film was far from finished, we wish that fans all over the world would have had the opportunity to see and embrace the final film themselves. Maybe one day they will insha’Allah.”
The statement continued, “Our amazing cast and crew did a tremendous job and worked so hard to bring Batgirl to life. We are forever grateful to have been part of that team. It was a dream to work with such fantastic actors like Michael Keaton, Jk Simmons, Brendan Fraser, Jacob Scipio, Corey Johnson, Rebecca Front and especially the great Leslie Grace,...
“We are saddened and shocked by the news. We still can’t believe it,” the duo said. “As directors, it is critical that our work be shown to audiences, and while the film was far from finished, we wish that fans all over the world would have had the opportunity to see and embrace the final film themselves. Maybe one day they will insha’Allah.”
The statement continued, “Our amazing cast and crew did a tremendous job and worked so hard to bring Batgirl to life. We are forever grateful to have been part of that team. It was a dream to work with such fantastic actors like Michael Keaton, Jk Simmons, Brendan Fraser, Jacob Scipio, Corey Johnson, Rebecca Front and especially the great Leslie Grace,...
- 8/3/2022
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
The death of “Batgirl” on Tuesday sent immediate shockwaves through Hollywood. The film — with a 75 million budget that grew to 90 million due to Covid-related overages — had finished shooting months ago and was in test screenings as directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah worked through the post-production process. Star Leslie Grace (“In the Heights”) had given multiple interviews expressing her enthusiasm for landing the title role and working with co-stars Michael Keaton (as Batman), J.K. Simmons and Brendan Fraser.
In other words, the movie was nearly finished, and already building awareness among fans. Why would Warner Bros. Discovery throw all that away?
According to sources with knowledge of the situation, the most likely reason: taxes.
Several sources note that “Batgirl” was made under a different regime at Warner Bros., headed by Jason Kilar and Ann Sarnoff, that was singularly focused on building its streaming service, HBO Max. That effort included...
In other words, the movie was nearly finished, and already building awareness among fans. Why would Warner Bros. Discovery throw all that away?
According to sources with knowledge of the situation, the most likely reason: taxes.
Several sources note that “Batgirl” was made under a different regime at Warner Bros., headed by Jason Kilar and Ann Sarnoff, that was singularly focused on building its streaming service, HBO Max. That effort included...
- 8/3/2022
- by Adam B. Vary and Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery is heading into a very important week. The company, whose regime just crossed the 100-days-in-office mark, reports its Q2 earnings Thursday, when CEO David Zaslav and his team are expected to lay out more concrete plans for the combined entity than they did on the Q1 earnings call, held just a couple of weeks after the 43 billion Discovery-WarnerMedia merger had been completed. That could include more details about how the two companies’ streaming services, HBO Max and Discovery+, would be combined and under what name; about the company’s theatrical-streaming film strategy; and how a promised 3 billion in savings (a number many expect to go higher) would be achieved.
August had long been rumored to be the month of mass layoffs, with the first wave now expected as early as next week as the honeymoon period for the new regime is coming to an end. This...
August had long been rumored to be the month of mass layoffs, with the first wave now expected as early as next week as the honeymoon period for the new regime is coming to an end. This...
- 8/1/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva, Peter White and Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Casey Bloys, chief content officer for HBO and HBO Max, has renewed his deal with Warner Bros. Discovery for five more years, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Bloys became HBO programming chief in May 2016 and in August 2020 took over original content duties for HBO Max, WarnerMedia’s new streaming platform. His new deal follows WarnerMedia merging with Discovery to create Warner Bros. Discovery, led by CEO David Zaslav.
Significantly, Bloys reupping his contract stands in contrast to a slew of WarnerMedia execs who departed ahead of or after the Warner Bros. Discovery merger being completed. That exodus includes Ann Sarnoff, the chair and CEO of Warner Bros., and Jason Kilar, the CEO of WarnerMedia, in addition to HBO Max chief Andy Forssell, chief revenue officer Tony Goncalves, chief technology officer Richard Tom and chief financial officer Jennifer Biry.
Other top executives to have left include Jim Cummings,...
Casey Bloys, chief content officer for HBO and HBO Max, has renewed his deal with Warner Bros. Discovery for five more years, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Bloys became HBO programming chief in May 2016 and in August 2020 took over original content duties for HBO Max, WarnerMedia’s new streaming platform. His new deal follows WarnerMedia merging with Discovery to create Warner Bros. Discovery, led by CEO David Zaslav.
Significantly, Bloys reupping his contract stands in contrast to a slew of WarnerMedia execs who departed ahead of or after the Warner Bros. Discovery merger being completed. That exodus includes Ann Sarnoff, the chair and CEO of Warner Bros., and Jason Kilar, the CEO of WarnerMedia, in addition to HBO Max chief Andy Forssell, chief revenue officer Tony Goncalves, chief technology officer Richard Tom and chief financial officer Jennifer Biry.
Other top executives to have left include Jim Cummings,...
- 7/18/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kristin Brown, Jennifer Driscoll, Larry Laque and Doug Seybert are also out have joined the growing list of executives leaving Warner Bros Discovery as part of the company’s post-merger streamlining, TheWrap has learned.
Their ouster comes less than 2 hours after it was made public that executive vice president Corie Henson and Food Network executive Todd Weiser have left.
Brown was a senior vice president of communications at Investigation Discovery and Travel Channel. Driscoll was a senior vice president of communications at the company, and first joined Discovery in 2015. Laque joined Discovery in 2003 and at the time of his exit was co-chief information officer and executive vice president in facilities and real estate. And Seybert, senior vice president of marketing, joined Discovery in 2009.
Also Read:
Warner Bros. Discovery Exec Corie Henson to Depart
WarnerMedia and Discovery completed a 43 billion merger in April; The closure announcement followed several executive exits at WarnerMedia,...
Their ouster comes less than 2 hours after it was made public that executive vice president Corie Henson and Food Network executive Todd Weiser have left.
Brown was a senior vice president of communications at Investigation Discovery and Travel Channel. Driscoll was a senior vice president of communications at the company, and first joined Discovery in 2015. Laque joined Discovery in 2003 and at the time of his exit was co-chief information officer and executive vice president in facilities and real estate. And Seybert, senior vice president of marketing, joined Discovery in 2009.
Also Read:
Warner Bros. Discovery Exec Corie Henson to Depart
WarnerMedia and Discovery completed a 43 billion merger in April; The closure announcement followed several executive exits at WarnerMedia,...
- 6/17/2022
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Larry Laque, Kristin Brown, Jessica Driscoll and Doug Seybert are exiting their roles at Warner Bros. Discovery, Variety has learned.
They join Corie Henson and Todd Weiser, who were also learned to be leaving the company on Thursday. These firings are the latest additions to a long list since the company’s merger was made official on April 8, after which CEO David Zaslav committed to cutting 3 billion in costs over the next three years. Most recent was the departure of Brett Weitz as general manager of TBS, TNT and TruTV, which was announced on May 11.
However, Laque, Brown, Driscoll and Seybert are some of the first high-profile names to leave from the Discovery side, as many of Wbd’s other exits — such as chairman and CEO Ann Sarnoff and global communications head Johanna Fuentes — were at Warner Bros. before the merger.
Laque has been at Discovery for almost 20 years, most...
They join Corie Henson and Todd Weiser, who were also learned to be leaving the company on Thursday. These firings are the latest additions to a long list since the company’s merger was made official on April 8, after which CEO David Zaslav committed to cutting 3 billion in costs over the next three years. Most recent was the departure of Brett Weitz as general manager of TBS, TNT and TruTV, which was announced on May 11.
However, Laque, Brown, Driscoll and Seybert are some of the first high-profile names to leave from the Discovery side, as many of Wbd’s other exits — such as chairman and CEO Ann Sarnoff and global communications head Johanna Fuentes — were at Warner Bros. before the merger.
Laque has been at Discovery for almost 20 years, most...
- 6/17/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
TV executive Corie Henson is leaving Warner Bros. Discovery amid the company’s general restructuring under CEO David Zaslav, which stems from the completion of the Discovery-WarnerMedia merger.
Henson’s post was executive vice president, head of unscripted programming for TBS, TNT and truTV. In the role, she oversaw and spearheaded unscripted creative development and production for all three cable brands. Prior to joining WarnerMedia in December 2019, Henson was the EVP of Alternative Entertainment at Fox Broadcasting Company, where she shepherded all development and franchises such as “The Masked Singer,” “MasterChef,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Hell’s Kitchen,” in addition to the Teen Choice Awards, Fox’s New Year’s Eve with Steve Harvey and all live event specials.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Todd Weiser is also departing the company. Weiser led Food Network and Cooking Channel’s programming and development departments beginning in 2019. He...
Henson’s post was executive vice president, head of unscripted programming for TBS, TNT and truTV. In the role, she oversaw and spearheaded unscripted creative development and production for all three cable brands. Prior to joining WarnerMedia in December 2019, Henson was the EVP of Alternative Entertainment at Fox Broadcasting Company, where she shepherded all development and franchises such as “The Masked Singer,” “MasterChef,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Hell’s Kitchen,” in addition to the Teen Choice Awards, Fox’s New Year’s Eve with Steve Harvey and all live event specials.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Todd Weiser is also departing the company. Weiser led Food Network and Cooking Channel’s programming and development departments beginning in 2019. He...
- 6/17/2022
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- The Wrap
In 2004, Disney’s cable networks executive Anne Sweeney was named co-chair, Disney Media Networks, and president, Disney/ABC Television Group. The promotion, announced by then-Disney CEO Bob Iger, to whom Sweeney reported, set off a decade-long reign of Sweeney as one of the most powerful women in entertainment, with a vast TV portfolio encompassing a broadcast network and cable networks, Disney’s TV studio and news.
When Iger announced that he planned to step down in 2016 (he ultimately did not leave and ended up postponing his retirement four times since 2013), Sweeney had to be considered a contender as one of the most senior executives under Iger who was coming up the same route he had taken to the top job, via Disney’s TV operation.
But in 2014, Sweeney announced her exit to become a TV director. (She actually never went into directing.) According to insiders at the time, the fact...
When Iger announced that he planned to step down in 2016 (he ultimately did not leave and ended up postponing his retirement four times since 2013), Sweeney had to be considered a contender as one of the most senior executives under Iger who was coming up the same route he had taken to the top job, via Disney’s TV operation.
But in 2014, Sweeney announced her exit to become a TV director. (She actually never went into directing.) According to insiders at the time, the fact...
- 6/10/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jay Levine is leaving his post as the Chief Strategy Officer and EVP Business Operations of Warner Bros. The well-liked executive worked 13 years for the studio before his position was diminished following the studio’s merger with Discovery.
The highly-respected studio veteran rose quickly through the ranks to join the corporate suite under Barry Meyer and Kevin Tsujihara to become the top executive under Ann Sarnoff. Levine led strategy and operations for WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, which included WB Pictures Group, HBO, and HBO Max Programming, WB Television Group, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, WB Animation, TBS, TNT, DC, Consumer Products, Global Brands & Experiences, and other traditional and digital content businesses.
Levine worked closely with all of the main creative divisions, having partnered with Toby Emmerich at WB Pictures, Casey Bloys at HBO & HBO Max and Channing Dungey at Wbtv in development, production, finance, business affairs, marketing, and distribution.
The highly-respected studio veteran rose quickly through the ranks to join the corporate suite under Barry Meyer and Kevin Tsujihara to become the top executive under Ann Sarnoff. Levine led strategy and operations for WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, which included WB Pictures Group, HBO, and HBO Max Programming, WB Television Group, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, WB Animation, TBS, TNT, DC, Consumer Products, Global Brands & Experiences, and other traditional and digital content businesses.
Levine worked closely with all of the main creative divisions, having partnered with Toby Emmerich at WB Pictures, Casey Bloys at HBO & HBO Max and Channing Dungey at Wbtv in development, production, finance, business affairs, marketing, and distribution.
- 5/23/2022
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Johanna Fuentes, Warner Bros. Communications Chief for the past two years, and Tom Ascheim, President of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classic, are exiting following the studio’s recent merger with Discovery.
The exit of Brett Weitz, General Manager of TNT, TBS and TruTV, was announced earlier today.
Fuentes joined the studio in May 2020 from Showtime, where she previously served as executive vice president of worldwide communications. She started with Warner Bros. as EVP Worldwide Corporate Communications, and three months later, upon the founding of the WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, was elevated to Head of Global Communications for the group. In this role, Fuentes managed communications during the company’s strategic focus behind HBO Max, the launch of day-and-date theatrical releases across Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO Max. She also led the Studios and Networks Group’s internal and external messaging related to the pandemic.
She will...
The exit of Brett Weitz, General Manager of TNT, TBS and TruTV, was announced earlier today.
Fuentes joined the studio in May 2020 from Showtime, where she previously served as executive vice president of worldwide communications. She started with Warner Bros. as EVP Worldwide Corporate Communications, and three months later, upon the founding of the WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, was elevated to Head of Global Communications for the group. In this role, Fuentes managed communications during the company’s strategic focus behind HBO Max, the launch of day-and-date theatrical releases across Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO Max. She also led the Studios and Networks Group’s internal and external messaging related to the pandemic.
She will...
- 5/12/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Johanna Fuentes is leaving as Head of Global Communications for Studios and Networks Group after a transitional period. The departure is a result of a decision to decentralize the communications functions of the recently formed Warner Bros. Discovery whose communications teams will be announced later.
Fuentes, a seasoned PR executives who previously headed corporate communications for Showtime Networks, started with Warner Bros. in May 2020 as EVP Worldwide Corporate Communications. Three months later, upon the founding of the WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, she was elevated to Head of Global Communications for the group.
In her role, she navigated major divisional realignments, key executive changes, talent deals, the launch of day-and-date theatrical releases across Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO Max, and the introduction of new business models. Additionally, she led the Studios and Networks Group’s internal and external messaging related to the pandemic.
Fuentes was hired...
Fuentes, a seasoned PR executives who previously headed corporate communications for Showtime Networks, started with Warner Bros. in May 2020 as EVP Worldwide Corporate Communications. Three months later, upon the founding of the WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, she was elevated to Head of Global Communications for the group.
In her role, she navigated major divisional realignments, key executive changes, talent deals, the launch of day-and-date theatrical releases across Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO Max, and the introduction of new business models. Additionally, she led the Studios and Networks Group’s internal and external messaging related to the pandemic.
Fuentes was hired...
- 5/12/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Johanna Fuentes is about to exit her post as head of global communications for WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group. Tom Ascheim, former head of the Kids and Family division, is also leaving in the latest round of high-level executive changes spurred by the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger.
Fuentes joined the studio in 2020 as executive vice president of worldwide communications after a long tenure in communications at Showtime. She is expected to remain at Warner Bros. for about another month to help with the post-merger transition. AT&T spun off its WarnerMedia unit into a merger with Discovery that was completed last month.
Fuentes spearheaded a significant amount of turf during her two years at the studio, reporting directly to former chairman Ann Sarnoff as well as Christy Haubegger, chief enterprise and inclusion officer for WarnerMedia, both of whom have also left in the wake of the transaction.
Fuentes joined Warner Bros.
Fuentes joined the studio in 2020 as executive vice president of worldwide communications after a long tenure in communications at Showtime. She is expected to remain at Warner Bros. for about another month to help with the post-merger transition. AT&T spun off its WarnerMedia unit into a merger with Discovery that was completed last month.
Fuentes spearheaded a significant amount of turf during her two years at the studio, reporting directly to former chairman Ann Sarnoff as well as Christy Haubegger, chief enterprise and inclusion officer for WarnerMedia, both of whom have also left in the wake of the transaction.
Fuentes joined Warner Bros.
- 5/12/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Tom Ascheim is leaving his post as President Of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classic two years after he joined WarnerMedia and a month after that company’s merger with Discovery was completed. He is one of two senior programming executives on the WarnerMedia side of the company who are departing after their positions have been eliminated following the merger, along with Brett Weitz, General Manager of TNT, TBS and TruTV. Both will stay on for a brief transition period.
In his role, Ascheim, a respected veteran TV executive, oversaw Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang, the studios of Cartoon Network and Warner Bros Animation in Los Angeles, and had global responsibility for the Turner Classic Movies channel. Iconic IP, series and characters under his purview included Looney Tunes, DC’s animated Super Heroes, Rick and Morty, Craig of the Creek, the classic Hanna-Barbera library, Tom and Jerry,...
In his role, Ascheim, a respected veteran TV executive, oversaw Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang, the studios of Cartoon Network and Warner Bros Animation in Los Angeles, and had global responsibility for the Turner Classic Movies channel. Iconic IP, series and characters under his purview included Looney Tunes, DC’s animated Super Heroes, Rick and Morty, Craig of the Creek, the classic Hanna-Barbera library, Tom and Jerry,...
- 5/12/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Brett Weitz is exiting as general manager of TBS, TNT and truTV, Variety has learned.
Weitz, who was appointed to the role in January 2019, was among the group of WarnerMedia execs that came over under the new David Zaslav-selected regime at Warner Bros. Discovery, following the close of the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger in early April.
Weitz was moved under Discovery lifestyle channels chief Kathleen Finch, who assumed a newly created role of chairman and chief content officer of U.S. Networks Group, a new, consolidated organization comprising the company’s more than 40 U.S. networks. His role has now been eliminated, with Finch taking oversight of TBS, TNT and truTV.
While WarnerMedia was run by former parent company AT&T, Weitz reported to Ann Sarnoff, chair and CEO of WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, who exited just before the transaction closed, along with WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar and Andy Forssell,...
Weitz, who was appointed to the role in January 2019, was among the group of WarnerMedia execs that came over under the new David Zaslav-selected regime at Warner Bros. Discovery, following the close of the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger in early April.
Weitz was moved under Discovery lifestyle channels chief Kathleen Finch, who assumed a newly created role of chairman and chief content officer of U.S. Networks Group, a new, consolidated organization comprising the company’s more than 40 U.S. networks. His role has now been eliminated, with Finch taking oversight of TBS, TNT and truTV.
While WarnerMedia was run by former parent company AT&T, Weitz reported to Ann Sarnoff, chair and CEO of WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, who exited just before the transaction closed, along with WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar and Andy Forssell,...
- 5/11/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Another top Warner exec, John Rogovin, is heading for the exits amid a major corporate shakeout following the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery last month.
The longtime EVP, general counsel for WarnerMedia Studios and Networks, who previously served at the FCC and DOJ, said, “It’s been an incredible run for 14 years. Serving as the General Counsel of Warner Bros. has been one of the all-time great legal jobs. But now is the right time for me to move on. And I wish the new leadership and everyone all the best for continued success.”
Cases he spearheaded included the studio’s landmark Superman termination rights case.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has rejiggered the top echelons of the combined company that was created in a 43-billion deal between the former WarnerMedia’s former parent AT&T and Discovery. Rogovin’s boss, Ann Sarnoff, left, as did former Warner Media CEO...
The longtime EVP, general counsel for WarnerMedia Studios and Networks, who previously served at the FCC and DOJ, said, “It’s been an incredible run for 14 years. Serving as the General Counsel of Warner Bros. has been one of the all-time great legal jobs. But now is the right time for me to move on. And I wish the new leadership and everyone all the best for continued success.”
Cases he spearheaded included the studio’s landmark Superman termination rights case.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has rejiggered the top echelons of the combined company that was created in a 43-billion deal between the former WarnerMedia’s former parent AT&T and Discovery. Rogovin’s boss, Ann Sarnoff, left, as did former Warner Media CEO...
- 5/4/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. executive vice president and top legal boss John Rogovin has resigned his post.
The well-liked and respected Rogovin was general counsel for the former WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, which encompassed units like Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Bros. Television. That division was overseen by Ann Sarnoff, who departed the company in early April on the heels of WarnerMedia’s 43 billion merger with Discovery.
Rogovin informed staff of his decision to leave in a Wednesday email, saying “there is a complete reorganization at the newly combined company, including the legal operations, and I have decided that it’s time to move on to a new chapter after a truly fantastic run.” It was not immediately clear who, in the newly-merged structure, will absorb Rogovin’s portfolio. He will remain in place for a transitional period.
“It’s been an incredible run for 14 years. Serving as the general counsel of Warner Bros.
The well-liked and respected Rogovin was general counsel for the former WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, which encompassed units like Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Bros. Television. That division was overseen by Ann Sarnoff, who departed the company in early April on the heels of WarnerMedia’s 43 billion merger with Discovery.
Rogovin informed staff of his decision to leave in a Wednesday email, saying “there is a complete reorganization at the newly combined company, including the legal operations, and I have decided that it’s time to move on to a new chapter after a truly fantastic run.” It was not immediately clear who, in the newly-merged structure, will absorb Rogovin’s portfolio. He will remain in place for a transitional period.
“It’s been an incredible run for 14 years. Serving as the general counsel of Warner Bros.
- 5/4/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Recently commemorating its 100th anniversary, MPTF (the Motion Picture & Television Fund) is expanding its Board of Governors with four new additions from different walks of the entertainment industry: Greg Berlanti, writer, director, and producer, Berlanti Productions; Lauren Shuler Donner, producer; Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, director, entrepreneur, actor, and producer; and Ann Sarnoff, former Chair and CEO, WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group.
Together they serve on a Board for the philanthropic organization, which received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy Awards in 2021 and has announced future plans to expand its campus and services for those in the entertainment industry.
“I’m so honored to be part of the leadership of this extraordinary organization,” said Grammy winner Jackson. “Being able to give back to this industry is something we should all strive for, and I can’t wait for all the exciting changes we have in store.”
“I support MPTF because...
Together they serve on a Board for the philanthropic organization, which received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy Awards in 2021 and has announced future plans to expand its campus and services for those in the entertainment industry.
“I’m so honored to be part of the leadership of this extraordinary organization,” said Grammy winner Jackson. “Being able to give back to this industry is something we should all strive for, and I can’t wait for all the exciting changes we have in store.”
“I support MPTF because...
- 4/14/2022
- Look to the Stars
“Conversations With Friends,” the upcoming series adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel, will premiere on May 15 on Hulu, BBC announced today, in addition to dropping a new trailer for the show.
The series follows 21-year-old Frances (Alison Oliver), who, after three years, is still best friends with her ex-girlfriend, Bobbi (Sasha Lane). The two are inseparable, but at one of their poetry performances in Dublin, they meet Melissa (Jemima Kirke), an older writer who is taken by them. Bobbi and Frances begin to hang out with Melissa and her husband, Nick (Joe Alwyn), a handsome actor. Melissa and Bobbi flirt openly with one another, but Nick and Frances begin a serious affair, which tests the bond between Frances and Bobbi, forcing Frances to re-examine her vulnerabilities.
“Would it depress you to sleep with someone who loved someone else?” Frances asks Bobbi in the trailer. “Not if they love me, too,...
The series follows 21-year-old Frances (Alison Oliver), who, after three years, is still best friends with her ex-girlfriend, Bobbi (Sasha Lane). The two are inseparable, but at one of their poetry performances in Dublin, they meet Melissa (Jemima Kirke), an older writer who is taken by them. Bobbi and Frances begin to hang out with Melissa and her husband, Nick (Joe Alwyn), a handsome actor. Melissa and Bobbi flirt openly with one another, but Nick and Frances begin a serious affair, which tests the bond between Frances and Bobbi, forcing Frances to re-examine her vulnerabilities.
“Would it depress you to sleep with someone who loved someone else?” Frances asks Bobbi in the trailer. “Not if they love me, too,...
- 4/12/2022
- by Carson Burton, Sasha Urban and Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
A day prior to the glitzy world premiere of “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,” Ezra Miller, who has a key role in the upcoming “Harry Potter” spinoff sequel, was arrested for disorderly conduct and harassment.
In another timeline, Miller, known for striking red carpet outfits and zany interviews, would have been front and center to promote “The Secrets of Dumbledore,” which opens in North American theaters on April 15. Instead, that incident and other eyebrow-raising events forced Warner Bros. to downplay Miller’s involvement in the film franchise. Complicating matters is the fact that Miller also headlines next year’s DC Comics adaptation “The Flash” for Warners.
It’s the latest in a long list of controversies plaguing “Fantastic Beasts.” The fantastical series was intended to wring newfound riches from author J.K Rowling’s sprawling Wizarding World after 2011’s “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” capped off a...
In another timeline, Miller, known for striking red carpet outfits and zany interviews, would have been front and center to promote “The Secrets of Dumbledore,” which opens in North American theaters on April 15. Instead, that incident and other eyebrow-raising events forced Warner Bros. to downplay Miller’s involvement in the film franchise. Complicating matters is the fact that Miller also headlines next year’s DC Comics adaptation “The Flash” for Warners.
It’s the latest in a long list of controversies plaguing “Fantastic Beasts.” The fantastical series was intended to wring newfound riches from author J.K Rowling’s sprawling Wizarding World after 2011’s “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” capped off a...
- 4/12/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Greg Berlanti, Lauren Shuler Donner, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Ann Sarnoff have been added to the board of governors of the Motion Picture & Television Fund, the 100-year-old charitable organization that supports working and retired members of the entertainment industry through a safety net of health and social services, including temporary financial assistance, case management and residential living.
“We’re more than thrilled to have these four incredible leaders in their fields join our board of governors,” said Bob Beitcher, president and CEO of the MPTF. “Our future is truly looking bright as we move ahead to a new era of taking care of our own.”
Berlanti, the creative force behind dozens of hit television shows, was the recipient of the Producers Guild of America’s prestigious Norman Lear Achievement Award last month, and the Icg Publicists Awards’ Television Showman of the Year honor in 2019. Named one of Time magazine...
“We’re more than thrilled to have these four incredible leaders in their fields join our board of governors,” said Bob Beitcher, president and CEO of the MPTF. “Our future is truly looking bright as we move ahead to a new era of taking care of our own.”
Berlanti, the creative force behind dozens of hit television shows, was the recipient of the Producers Guild of America’s prestigious Norman Lear Achievement Award last month, and the Icg Publicists Awards’ Television Showman of the Year honor in 2019. Named one of Time magazine...
- 4/11/2022
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Wall Street appears to like what Warner Bros. Discovery is selling.
The combined media company started off its first full day of trading Monday in the green. Shares of Warner Bros. Discovery were up almost 6 on Monday nearly an hour after opening with the 9:30 a.m. Et bell at 24.08 a share.
AT&T, the telecom giant that off-loaded WarnerMedia to Discovery after four tumultuous years, also appeared to benefit. The company’s stock was up more than 5 at 19.30 on Monday at just before 10:30 a.m. Et. The AT&T stock had opened at 18.89 per share.
Discovery completed its 43 billion merger with WarnerMedia on Friday. The combined companies boast as list of top entertainment brands that includes Warner Bros. film studio, HBO, TNT, CNN, as well as Food Network, HGTV, TLC and Animal Planet. The hope is that the wider scale of the offerings will make the conglomerate better able...
The combined media company started off its first full day of trading Monday in the green. Shares of Warner Bros. Discovery were up almost 6 on Monday nearly an hour after opening with the 9:30 a.m. Et bell at 24.08 a share.
AT&T, the telecom giant that off-loaded WarnerMedia to Discovery after four tumultuous years, also appeared to benefit. The company’s stock was up more than 5 at 19.30 on Monday at just before 10:30 a.m. Et. The AT&T stock had opened at 18.89 per share.
Discovery completed its 43 billion merger with WarnerMedia on Friday. The combined companies boast as list of top entertainment brands that includes Warner Bros. film studio, HBO, TNT, CNN, as well as Food Network, HGTV, TLC and Animal Planet. The hope is that the wider scale of the offerings will make the conglomerate better able...
- 4/11/2022
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Discovery Inc. CEO David Zaslav, who will lead the merged entity Warner Bros. Discovery, is slated begin making his rounds to WarnerMedia company offices around the country to address employees this week, an individual with knowledge of WarnerMedia told TheWrap.
The merger, announced in May, closed on Friday.
Zaslav’s travel agenda will take him to WarnerMedia’s global headquarters in New York on Monday, Warner Bros. offices in Atlanta on Tuesday, WarnerMedia/HBO offices in Culver City on Wednesday, and concluding with a town hall at WarnerMedia offices on the iconic Warner Bros. Studios lot in Burbank, according to the individual. Another source who asked not to be named said the tour will also include Washington D.C.
An expected topic will be layoffs, as reports by Insider and other sources reported that the merger of AT&T’s WarnerMedia and Discovery would include at least 3 billion of annual “cost synergies,...
The merger, announced in May, closed on Friday.
Zaslav’s travel agenda will take him to WarnerMedia’s global headquarters in New York on Monday, Warner Bros. offices in Atlanta on Tuesday, WarnerMedia/HBO offices in Culver City on Wednesday, and concluding with a town hall at WarnerMedia offices on the iconic Warner Bros. Studios lot in Burbank, according to the individual. Another source who asked not to be named said the tour will also include Washington D.C.
An expected topic will be layoffs, as reports by Insider and other sources reported that the merger of AT&T’s WarnerMedia and Discovery would include at least 3 billion of annual “cost synergies,...
- 4/10/2022
- by Diane Haithman
- The Wrap
The final bow has been placed atop the 40 billion merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, forming one of the largest pure content players in the media business.
The AT&T spinoff maneuver formally closed late Friday, and Monday will see Warner Bros Discovery stock begin trading, under the ticker symbol “Wbd.”
Discovery CEO David Zaslav had been set as the new leader of Warner Bros Discovery since the time the deal was first proposed last May. Questions swirled for months, though, about the leadership team he would put in place. Earlier this week, he wound up favoring Discovery brass across the board (something Deadline’s reporting had predicted a month ago).
Jb Perrette, who had been head of streaming and international for Discovery, was installed as CEO and president of global streaming and interactive entertainment. Gunnar Wiedenfels, former CFO at Discovery and one of the architects of the merger, will hold the...
The AT&T spinoff maneuver formally closed late Friday, and Monday will see Warner Bros Discovery stock begin trading, under the ticker symbol “Wbd.”
Discovery CEO David Zaslav had been set as the new leader of Warner Bros Discovery since the time the deal was first proposed last May. Questions swirled for months, though, about the leadership team he would put in place. Earlier this week, he wound up favoring Discovery brass across the board (something Deadline’s reporting had predicted a month ago).
Jb Perrette, who had been head of streaming and international for Discovery, was installed as CEO and president of global streaming and interactive entertainment. Gunnar Wiedenfels, former CFO at Discovery and one of the architects of the merger, will hold the...
- 4/9/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
AT&T’s WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc. have closed their high-profile 43 million merger into new entity Warner Bros. Discovery, the companies announced on Friday.
“Today’s announcement marks an exciting milestone not just for Warner Bros. Discovery but for our shareholders, our distributors, our advertisers, our creative partners and, most importantly, consumers globally,” said Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav in a statement.
“With our collective assets and diversified business model, Warner Bros. Discovery offers the most differentiated and complete portfolio of content across film, television and streaming,” he continued. “We are confident that we can bring more choice to consumers around the globe while fostering creativity and creating value for shareholders. I can’t wait for both teams to come together to make Warner Bros. Discovery the best place for impactful storytelling.”
Discovery stakeholders had approved the deal in mid-March.
The merger will place AT&T’s Warner Bros., CNN,...
“Today’s announcement marks an exciting milestone not just for Warner Bros. Discovery but for our shareholders, our distributors, our advertisers, our creative partners and, most importantly, consumers globally,” said Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav in a statement.
“With our collective assets and diversified business model, Warner Bros. Discovery offers the most differentiated and complete portfolio of content across film, television and streaming,” he continued. “We are confident that we can bring more choice to consumers around the globe while fostering creativity and creating value for shareholders. I can’t wait for both teams to come together to make Warner Bros. Discovery the best place for impactful storytelling.”
Discovery stakeholders had approved the deal in mid-March.
The merger will place AT&T’s Warner Bros., CNN,...
- 4/8/2022
- by Diane Haithman
- The Wrap
It’s the dawning of a new day in Hollywood, as the now officially merged WarnerMedia and Discovery will open for business as Warner Bros. Discovery on Monday.
While little is known about the future of the new company, it’s clear what valuable brands, IP, executives and customers they will each be bringing to the table on their first day as a combined entity.
Founded in 1985, Discovery, Inc. has approximately 11,000 staffers at time of publication. WarnerMedia, first established as Warner Bros. in 1923, has roughly 25,000 employees.
For a detailed rundown of the Discovery side’s top leadership and org chart as it stands on Day 1, including CEO David Zaslav and his lieutenants, as well as its current development deals and talent partnerships, readers can consult this data, compiled via Variety Insight platform.
And here is the same for the WarnerMedia side, which accounts for several recent departures in top leadership,...
While little is known about the future of the new company, it’s clear what valuable brands, IP, executives and customers they will each be bringing to the table on their first day as a combined entity.
Founded in 1985, Discovery, Inc. has approximately 11,000 staffers at time of publication. WarnerMedia, first established as Warner Bros. in 1923, has roughly 25,000 employees.
For a detailed rundown of the Discovery side’s top leadership and org chart as it stands on Day 1, including CEO David Zaslav and his lieutenants, as well as its current development deals and talent partnerships, readers can consult this data, compiled via Variety Insight platform.
And here is the same for the WarnerMedia side, which accounts for several recent departures in top leadership,...
- 4/8/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Discovery completed its 43 billion acquisition of WarnerMedia from AT&T on Friday to form new company Warner Bros. Discovery.
WarnerMedia owns HBO, HBO Max, CNN, Warner Bros., DC Films, New Line Cinema, TBS, TNT, TruTV, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, Turner Sports and Rooster Teeth, among other brands, and is part owner of the CW Network along with Paramount.
Discovery is the parent of Discovery Plus, Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Turbo/Velocity, Animal Planet, Science Channel and OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network).
Here is the new leadership structure for Warner Bros. Discovery, as announced by CEO David Zaslav on Thursday.
Adria Alpert Romm will serve as Chief People and Culture Officer, having held the same role at Discovery, Inc. Casey Bloys continues as Chief Content Officer of HBO & HBO Max. Bruce Campbell will assume the new role of Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer, with responsibility for US advertising sales,...
WarnerMedia owns HBO, HBO Max, CNN, Warner Bros., DC Films, New Line Cinema, TBS, TNT, TruTV, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, Turner Sports and Rooster Teeth, among other brands, and is part owner of the CW Network along with Paramount.
Discovery is the parent of Discovery Plus, Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Turbo/Velocity, Animal Planet, Science Channel and OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network).
Here is the new leadership structure for Warner Bros. Discovery, as announced by CEO David Zaslav on Thursday.
Adria Alpert Romm will serve as Chief People and Culture Officer, having held the same role at Discovery, Inc. Casey Bloys continues as Chief Content Officer of HBO & HBO Max. Bruce Campbell will assume the new role of Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer, with responsibility for US advertising sales,...
- 4/8/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Toby Emmerich, Casey Bloys will report directly to David Zaslav.
Updated Report: The 43bn merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery has closed, resulting in entertainment giant Warner Bros Discovery which begins trading on the Nasdaq on Monday (April 11).
CEO David Zaslav has announced his executive suite including Warner Bros Pictures chairman Toby Emmerich and HBO/HBO Max chief content officer Casey Bloys (see below). Warner Media CEO Jason Kilar and WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group chairman and CEO Ann Sarnoff, among others, have departed.
The company’s goal will be to scale up and take on the might of streaming giants Netflix,...
Updated Report: The 43bn merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery has closed, resulting in entertainment giant Warner Bros Discovery which begins trading on the Nasdaq on Monday (April 11).
CEO David Zaslav has announced his executive suite including Warner Bros Pictures chairman Toby Emmerich and HBO/HBO Max chief content officer Casey Bloys (see below). Warner Media CEO Jason Kilar and WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group chairman and CEO Ann Sarnoff, among others, have departed.
The company’s goal will be to scale up and take on the might of streaming giants Netflix,...
- 4/8/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
As Discovery closes its deal for WarnerMedia, John Stankey, the AT&T chief who oversaw the telecom company’s abandoned foray into the media world, bid farewell to his soon-to-be former colleagues. Stankey led AT&T’s acquisition of DirecTV and Time Warner in 2015 and 2018, before replacing Randall Stephenson as CEO role of AT&T in July 2020.
“My respect and appreciation for those I have worked closely with is enduring, and I will miss continuing to learn and problem solve with you,” Stankey wrote. “I especially will miss marveling at the work behind the scenes to develop remarkable stories and executions that come from your daily passion. Your friendship and support when it wasn’t required will always be remembered.”
The 43 billion acquisition of WarnerMedia is expected to close as early as Friday, with the new company, rechristened Warner Bros. Discovery, open for business first thing Monday morning. That will leave David Zaslav,...
“My respect and appreciation for those I have worked closely with is enduring, and I will miss continuing to learn and problem solve with you,” Stankey wrote. “I especially will miss marveling at the work behind the scenes to develop remarkable stories and executions that come from your daily passion. Your friendship and support when it wasn’t required will always be remembered.”
The 43 billion acquisition of WarnerMedia is expected to close as early as Friday, with the new company, rechristened Warner Bros. Discovery, open for business first thing Monday morning. That will leave David Zaslav,...
- 4/8/2022
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
“We wish [a launch] could be earlier, but we will get there.”
WarnerMedia has a “pretty clear idea” of the content line-up, strategy and shape of HBO Max UK as it begins to plan for its arrival, according to head of HBO Max Global Johannes Larcher.
“We have plans on the shelf for when we get to the UK,” said Larcher, speaking to Screen’s sister publication Broadcast at this week’s Mip TV.
“The end of 2025 is still some way away but we certainly know what our content strategy will be. We know what the service and the product will look like.
WarnerMedia has a “pretty clear idea” of the content line-up, strategy and shape of HBO Max UK as it begins to plan for its arrival, according to head of HBO Max Global Johannes Larcher.
“We have plans on the shelf for when we get to the UK,” said Larcher, speaking to Screen’s sister publication Broadcast at this week’s Mip TV.
“The end of 2025 is still some way away but we certainly know what our content strategy will be. We know what the service and the product will look like.
- 4/7/2022
- by John Elmes Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Warner Bros. Discovery has announced its new leadership team, which will see some key executives at Warner Bros. continue in their roles after the departure of studio leadership.
Among the leadership announcements, Warner Bros. Picture Group chairman Toby Emmerich, HBO/HBO Max chief content officer Casey Bloys, and Warner Television chairman Channing Dungey will continue in their respective roles, reporting to Warner Discovery CEO David Zaslav. WarnerMedia’s international president Gerhard Zeiler will also continue in the same role.
The announcement comes a day after Warner chairman/CEO Ann Sarnoff, WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar, and HBO Max general manager Andy Forssell exited the company. The merger is expected to be completed as early as this Friday.
“We are so excited to bring the heritage and legacies of these two great companies together by creating Warner Bros. Discovery, and I am proud that our new executive management team blends world-class leaders...
Among the leadership announcements, Warner Bros. Picture Group chairman Toby Emmerich, HBO/HBO Max chief content officer Casey Bloys, and Warner Television chairman Channing Dungey will continue in their respective roles, reporting to Warner Discovery CEO David Zaslav. WarnerMedia’s international president Gerhard Zeiler will also continue in the same role.
The announcement comes a day after Warner chairman/CEO Ann Sarnoff, WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar, and HBO Max general manager Andy Forssell exited the company. The merger is expected to be completed as early as this Friday.
“We are so excited to bring the heritage and legacies of these two great companies together by creating Warner Bros. Discovery, and I am proud that our new executive management team blends world-class leaders...
- 4/7/2022
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Ahead of tomorrow’s expected close of the 43 billion WarnerMedia-Discovery merger, the executive leadership structure of the new company has been set.
David Zaslav, CEO of Discovery since 2007, will hold the same title at the combined entity. He has installed J-b Perrette to oversee streaming (in a larger version of the role he had at Discovery), while veteran unscripted programming exec Kathleen Finch will supervise all linear networks. Toby Emmerich, Casey Bloys and Channing Dungey, heads of Warner Bros Pictures, HBO and Warner Bros TV, respectively are all remaining in place. Bruce Campbell, the top distribution exec at Discovery (a crucial function given the billions in carriage fees and complex streaming deals in his purview) has been given a similar job at the new company.
The elevation of Finch, a Scripps Networks Interactive veteran and former network news producer who joined Discovery after the company bought Scripps in 2018, had been widely anticipated.
David Zaslav, CEO of Discovery since 2007, will hold the same title at the combined entity. He has installed J-b Perrette to oversee streaming (in a larger version of the role he had at Discovery), while veteran unscripted programming exec Kathleen Finch will supervise all linear networks. Toby Emmerich, Casey Bloys and Channing Dungey, heads of Warner Bros Pictures, HBO and Warner Bros TV, respectively are all remaining in place. Bruce Campbell, the top distribution exec at Discovery (a crucial function given the billions in carriage fees and complex streaming deals in his purview) has been given a similar job at the new company.
The elevation of Finch, a Scripps Networks Interactive veteran and former network news producer who joined Discovery after the company bought Scripps in 2018, had been widely anticipated.
- 4/7/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
David Zaslav will have a tight grip on the operations of Warner Bros. Discovery under the management structure unveiled for the new company that is set to emerge on Monday, Variety has learned.
Zaslav, as longtime observers predicted, has opted to have a direct-report relationship with the leaders of the businesses he doesn’t know as well as he does cable channels and advertising sales, per individuals close to the situation. Those include Casey Bloys, president of HBO/HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures chairman Toby Emmerich and Warner Bros. TV Group chief Channing Dungey.
To help manage his large number of direct reports, it’s no surprise that Zaslav has tapped trusted Discovery lieutenants for key operational roles, notably Bruce Campbell and Jb Perrette.
Campbell, who had served as Discovery’s chief development, distribution and legal officer for Discovery, will oversee all sales and revenue-generating operations for the company with...
Zaslav, as longtime observers predicted, has opted to have a direct-report relationship with the leaders of the businesses he doesn’t know as well as he does cable channels and advertising sales, per individuals close to the situation. Those include Casey Bloys, president of HBO/HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures chairman Toby Emmerich and Warner Bros. TV Group chief Channing Dungey.
To help manage his large number of direct reports, it’s no surprise that Zaslav has tapped trusted Discovery lieutenants for key operational roles, notably Bruce Campbell and Jb Perrette.
Campbell, who had served as Discovery’s chief development, distribution and legal officer for Discovery, will oversee all sales and revenue-generating operations for the company with...
- 4/7/2022
- by Cynthia Littleton and Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Toby Emmerich, Casey Bloys will report directly to David Zaslav.
David Zaslav has unveiled several members of his key executive suite, fuelling speculation that the 43bn Warner Bros Discovery merger will conclude very soon, possibly by tomorrow (April 8).
According to reports Warner Bros Pictures chairman Toby Emmerich is staying and will report directly to Zaslav, as will HBO/HBO Max chief content officer Casey Bloys, and Warner Bros TV Group head Channing Dungey.
Key Discovery executives include Bruce Campbell, the chief development, distribution and legal officer who becomes Discovery Warner Bros chief revenue and strategy officer. Savalle Sims remains as...
David Zaslav has unveiled several members of his key executive suite, fuelling speculation that the 43bn Warner Bros Discovery merger will conclude very soon, possibly by tomorrow (April 8).
According to reports Warner Bros Pictures chairman Toby Emmerich is staying and will report directly to Zaslav, as will HBO/HBO Max chief content officer Casey Bloys, and Warner Bros TV Group head Channing Dungey.
Key Discovery executives include Bruce Campbell, the chief development, distribution and legal officer who becomes Discovery Warner Bros chief revenue and strategy officer. Savalle Sims remains as...
- 4/7/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
As WarnerMedia executives continue to march out the door in Burbank ahead of the completion of its merger with Discovery, some longtime employees are anxious and stressed about future layoffs. “I’ve never seen such paranoia. It’s bad, it’s crazy,” one former senior Warner Bros. staff member who remains in contact with her former colleagues told TheWrap. “These people are palpably nervous.” She added that pandemic isolation has only made things worse: “These people have been working at home for two years. They can’t even talk to each other [in person].” On Tuesday, WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar announced that he would be leaving the post once the merger with Discovery closes, which an insider told TheWrap is expected to occur as early as Friday. Kilar’s departure had been expected since the merger was announced last May, and was followed Tuesday and Wednesday by a small avalanche of departures from his team,...
- 4/7/2022
- by Diane Haithman
- The Wrap
Total of nine senior executives to leave.
More senior WarnerMedia executives are to depart the company as the 43bn Discovery merger closes, which according to reports could be as early as this Friday (April 8).
On Wednesday a WarnerMedia spokesperson confirmed that EVP and chief human resources officer Jim Cummings is on the way out as are: CFO Jennifer Biry; the outgoing Jason Kilar’s corporate communications executive and chief inclusion officer Christy Haubegger; EVP chief revenue officer Tony Goncalves; EVP general counsel Jim Meza; and chief technology officer Richard Tom.
This follows Tuesday’s revelations that WarnerMedia CEO Kilar tendered...
More senior WarnerMedia executives are to depart the company as the 43bn Discovery merger closes, which according to reports could be as early as this Friday (April 8).
On Wednesday a WarnerMedia spokesperson confirmed that EVP and chief human resources officer Jim Cummings is on the way out as are: CFO Jennifer Biry; the outgoing Jason Kilar’s corporate communications executive and chief inclusion officer Christy Haubegger; EVP chief revenue officer Tony Goncalves; EVP general counsel Jim Meza; and chief technology officer Richard Tom.
This follows Tuesday’s revelations that WarnerMedia CEO Kilar tendered...
- 4/6/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
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