Gerhard Zeiler, president of Warner Bros. Discovery international, said an HBO output deal with Sky overseas will likely not look the same if it’s renewed. Sky has licensed content through the end of 2025 but it comes as no surprise that Wbd will look to tweak that as Max expands globally. The streaming service wants a beachhead in the UK, Germany, Italy (and other markets) and needs HBO and Warner Bros. programming.
“We see it every single day — that this content is working. Every single day we see the ratings for the Warner Bros. and the HBO content which we sell to Sky.”
“Sky was always a great partner for us, and it’s still a great partner today. That’s number one. But we want, we need to, and we will launch Max in these three markets. These are three of the most important markets outside of the U.
“We see it every single day — that this content is working. Every single day we see the ratings for the Warner Bros. and the HBO content which we sell to Sky.”
“Sky was always a great partner for us, and it’s still a great partner today. That’s number one. But we want, we need to, and we will launch Max in these three markets. These are three of the most important markets outside of the U.
- 5/15/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
David Zaslav saw his total compensation package last year jump by more than $10 million to $49.7 million in 2023 — with Warner Bros. Discovery awarding him a base salary of $3 million, plus $23 million in stock awards, and non-equity incentive plan compensation (a cash bonus) of $22 million.
It’s the second rather princely CEO package in as many days in an industry known for them as Netflix yesterday unveiled a similarly sized package co-ceo Ted Sarandos.
Zaslav, however, has for years been the poster child of high CEO pay, with a hard to swallow 2021 package of nearly $247 million, swelled by $203 million worth of option awards. That number — and the others — were plastered on posters last spring as the writers guild’ labor talks got heated. CEO pay remained a rallying cry. It might again with a new set of labor talks underway and an overall contraction in the industry that’s causing pain above and below the line.
It’s the second rather princely CEO package in as many days in an industry known for them as Netflix yesterday unveiled a similarly sized package co-ceo Ted Sarandos.
Zaslav, however, has for years been the poster child of high CEO pay, with a hard to swallow 2021 package of nearly $247 million, swelled by $203 million worth of option awards. That number — and the others — were plastered on posters last spring as the writers guild’ labor talks got heated. CEO pay remained a rallying cry. It might again with a new set of labor talks underway and an overall contraction in the industry that’s causing pain above and below the line.
- 4/19/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav saw the value of his 2023 compensation package rise to $49.7 million, compared with $39.3 million in 2022 when the Discovery-WarnerMedia merger had closed.
The entertainment conglomerate disclosed latest pay details for its top executives in a regulatory filing.
Zaslav’s 2023 pay consisted of a $3 million salary, and more than $23 million in stock awards, as well as $22 million in non-equity incentive compensation and $1.6 million in other compensation, including security costs. The rise in compensation was due in part to a decision by Wbd to change its executive compensation plan to focus on cash flow, rather than stock price. In 2023 Wbd’s free cashflow rose in part due to the Hollywood strikes, which shut down productions for months.
In 2021, then-Discovery CEO Zaslav had received a pay package worth $246.6 million, a big jump from $37.7 million in 2020 and $45.8 million in 2019. That was driven by a May 2021 employment agreement that was...
The entertainment conglomerate disclosed latest pay details for its top executives in a regulatory filing.
Zaslav’s 2023 pay consisted of a $3 million salary, and more than $23 million in stock awards, as well as $22 million in non-equity incentive compensation and $1.6 million in other compensation, including security costs. The rise in compensation was due in part to a decision by Wbd to change its executive compensation plan to focus on cash flow, rather than stock price. In 2023 Wbd’s free cashflow rose in part due to the Hollywood strikes, which shut down productions for months.
In 2021, then-Discovery CEO Zaslav had received a pay package worth $246.6 million, a big jump from $37.7 million in 2020 and $45.8 million in 2019. That was driven by a May 2021 employment agreement that was...
- 4/19/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. Discovery has been in cost-cutting mode — except when it comes to paying top execs.
David Zaslav, president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, had a 2023 pay package worth $49.7 million, up 26.5% from the year prior, according to the company’s 2024 proxy statement filed Friday. Zaslav’s compensation totaled $39.3 million in 2022, after he received an astonishing $246.6 million (which included $203 million in stock-option grants) in 2021.
For 2023, Zaslav had a base salary of $3 million, stock awards valued at $23.1 million, a cash bonus of $22 million and $1.6 million in other compensation.
Other Wbd senior execs also saw double-digit pay hikes in 2023. CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels earned $17.1 million (up 26%); chief revenue and strategy officer Bruce Campbell, $18.3 million (up 33%); Jb Perrette, president/CEO of global streaming and games, $20.1 million (up 43%); and president of international Gerhard Zeiler, $13.3 million (up 30%).
Cash bonuses and stock awards for Zaslav and Wbd’s other named executive officers are tied to free cash flow targets.
David Zaslav, president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, had a 2023 pay package worth $49.7 million, up 26.5% from the year prior, according to the company’s 2024 proxy statement filed Friday. Zaslav’s compensation totaled $39.3 million in 2022, after he received an astonishing $246.6 million (which included $203 million in stock-option grants) in 2021.
For 2023, Zaslav had a base salary of $3 million, stock awards valued at $23.1 million, a cash bonus of $22 million and $1.6 million in other compensation.
Other Wbd senior execs also saw double-digit pay hikes in 2023. CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels earned $17.1 million (up 26%); chief revenue and strategy officer Bruce Campbell, $18.3 million (up 33%); Jb Perrette, president/CEO of global streaming and games, $20.1 million (up 43%); and president of international Gerhard Zeiler, $13.3 million (up 30%).
Cash bonuses and stock awards for Zaslav and Wbd’s other named executive officers are tied to free cash flow targets.
- 4/19/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
The wait for Max’s European launch is nearly over.
The Warner Bros Discovery streaming service will launch in the Nordics, Iberia, and Central and Eastern Europe — where HBO Max is already available — on May 21, with launches in Poland, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium following closely after. House of the Dragon season 2 will debut in Europe on June 17.
This means the streamer will be available in 25 countries in Europe and 65 overall, having first launched in the U.S. in May last year. Pricing wasn’t revealed.
HBO Max, which Max replaced in the U.S., is currently offers in some European territories but is being phased out. The launches in France and Belgium mark the first new territory launches for Wbd in two years. In Belgium and the Netherlands, the service will be known as HBO Max.
Notably, Max will be the only platform to stream all live coverage of...
The Warner Bros Discovery streaming service will launch in the Nordics, Iberia, and Central and Eastern Europe — where HBO Max is already available — on May 21, with launches in Poland, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium following closely after. House of the Dragon season 2 will debut in Europe on June 17.
This means the streamer will be available in 25 countries in Europe and 65 overall, having first launched in the U.S. in May last year. Pricing wasn’t revealed.
HBO Max, which Max replaced in the U.S., is currently offers in some European territories but is being phased out. The launches in France and Belgium mark the first new territory launches for Wbd in two years. In Belgium and the Netherlands, the service will be known as HBO Max.
Notably, Max will be the only platform to stream all live coverage of...
- 3/21/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The New Zealand studios of Warner Bros Discovery. (Photo via Google Street View)
Nearly 300 journalists and other workers at New Zealand’s television news program Newshub are set to lose their jobs over the next few months after parent company Warner Bros Discovery (Wbd) decided to pull the plug on the operation.
The layoffs were announced during Newshub’s 6 p.m. broadcast on Thursday (1 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time), during which presenters at the program said they were devastated to learn about the operation’s impending closure.
“We’ve had cuts and survived cuts in the past, but to lose the whole news operation — an entity so entwined in the fabric of our society here in Aotearoa — it’s absolutely heartbreaking,” Mike McRoberts, a news anchor on the program, said during the broadcast.
Newshub journalist Michael Morrah said the announcement came “completely out of the blue,” characterizing it as...
Nearly 300 journalists and other workers at New Zealand’s television news program Newshub are set to lose their jobs over the next few months after parent company Warner Bros Discovery (Wbd) decided to pull the plug on the operation.
The layoffs were announced during Newshub’s 6 p.m. broadcast on Thursday (1 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time), during which presenters at the program said they were devastated to learn about the operation’s impending closure.
“We’ve had cuts and survived cuts in the past, but to lose the whole news operation — an entity so entwined in the fabric of our society here in Aotearoa — it’s absolutely heartbreaking,” Mike McRoberts, a news anchor on the program, said during the broadcast.
Newshub journalist Michael Morrah said the announcement came “completely out of the blue,” characterizing it as...
- 2/28/2024
- by Matthew Keys
- The Desk
Exclusive: There’s more change in the executive ranks at Warner Bros. Discovery.
Meredith Gertler and Lisa Holme have decided to leave the company and, separately, Vanessa Brookman has been promoted.
Gertler, who is EVP of Global Content Strategy, Planning and Analysis, has been with the company for nearly 20 years, starting in marketing at HBO before becoming SVP, Program Strategy and Planning for the premium cable network. She then moved up to become EVP, Content Strategy and Planning in 2018 and EVP, Global Streaming Content Strategy last year.
In her most recent role, she was responsible for shaping the company’s global streaming content portfolio and long-term content investment strategy as well as overseeing the teams responsible for content and promotion scheduling across HBO, Max and Discovery+.
In an internal memo, seen by Deadline, Jb Perrette, who is CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games, said that Gertler “helped carry...
Meredith Gertler and Lisa Holme have decided to leave the company and, separately, Vanessa Brookman has been promoted.
Gertler, who is EVP of Global Content Strategy, Planning and Analysis, has been with the company for nearly 20 years, starting in marketing at HBO before becoming SVP, Program Strategy and Planning for the premium cable network. She then moved up to become EVP, Content Strategy and Planning in 2018 and EVP, Global Streaming Content Strategy last year.
In her most recent role, she was responsible for shaping the company’s global streaming content portfolio and long-term content investment strategy as well as overseeing the teams responsible for content and promotion scheduling across HBO, Max and Discovery+.
In an internal memo, seen by Deadline, Jb Perrette, who is CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games, said that Gertler “helped carry...
- 12/14/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
“The notion that the strikes saved the company is wildly overstated,” Bob Bakish said of Paramount today.
The Paramount Global boss acknowledged that “the strike is accretive to cash in 2023 and that is true for the [whole] industry” but rubbished the notion of the labor action saving the company, calling it an “overstatement.”
“We are playing the hand we were dealt,” said Bakish as he accepted the Mipcom Cannes Personality of the Year Award. “Necessity is the mother of invention but I would say we want this strike to be over so we can resume work. The notion that it saved the company is wildly overstated.”
Bakish cited how Paramount has had to innovate due to the content well drying up, with reality series extended in length and cable shows like Yellowstone airing on CBS.
He acknowledged that “things broke down a bit last week” between the AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA but...
The Paramount Global boss acknowledged that “the strike is accretive to cash in 2023 and that is true for the [whole] industry” but rubbished the notion of the labor action saving the company, calling it an “overstatement.”
“We are playing the hand we were dealt,” said Bakish as he accepted the Mipcom Cannes Personality of the Year Award. “Necessity is the mother of invention but I would say we want this strike to be over so we can resume work. The notion that it saved the company is wildly overstated.”
Bakish cited how Paramount has had to innovate due to the content well drying up, with reality series extended in length and cable shows like Yellowstone airing on CBS.
He acknowledged that “things broke down a bit last week” between the AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA but...
- 10/17/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Some European crew evacuated in wake of Israel-Hamas conflict.
Filming on Palestinian-American filmmaker Cherien Dabis’ upcoming feature All That’s Left Of You in Jaffa, the mixed city just south of Tel Aviv in Israel, has been disrupted by the ongoing conflict in the region.
Dabis was on a tech recce in Jaffa for her third feature, a historical drama chronicling one Palestinian family over three generations, when the October 7 Hamas attacks took place, sparking Israeli retaliation in Gaza.
“We had to evacuate all of our foreign crew,” Dabis told Screen. “We were hearing bombs and fighter jets overhead. The...
Filming on Palestinian-American filmmaker Cherien Dabis’ upcoming feature All That’s Left Of You in Jaffa, the mixed city just south of Tel Aviv in Israel, has been disrupted by the ongoing conflict in the region.
Dabis was on a tech recce in Jaffa for her third feature, a historical drama chronicling one Palestinian family over three generations, when the October 7 Hamas attacks took place, sparking Israeli retaliation in Gaza.
“We had to evacuate all of our foreign crew,” Dabis told Screen. “We were hearing bombs and fighter jets overhead. The...
- 10/16/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Some European crew evacuated in wake of Israel-Hamas conflict.
Filming on Palestinian-American filmmaker Cherien Dabis’ upcoming feature All That’s Left Of You has been disrupted by the ongoing conflict in the region.
Dabis was on a tech recce in Jaffa for her third feature, a historical drama chronicling one Palestinian family over three generations, when the October 7 Hamas attacks took place, sparking Israeli retaliation in Gaza.
“We had to evacuate all of our foreign crew,” Dabis told Screen. “We were hearing bombs and fighter jets overhead. The tensions were really high for the first days we stayed there before evacuating.
Filming on Palestinian-American filmmaker Cherien Dabis’ upcoming feature All That’s Left Of You has been disrupted by the ongoing conflict in the region.
Dabis was on a tech recce in Jaffa for her third feature, a historical drama chronicling one Palestinian family over three generations, when the October 7 Hamas attacks took place, sparking Israeli retaliation in Gaza.
“We had to evacuate all of our foreign crew,” Dabis told Screen. “We were hearing bombs and fighter jets overhead. The tensions were really high for the first days we stayed there before evacuating.
- 10/16/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
“It felt like we were reconnecting after a long time,” To Leslie star Andrea Riseborough said today of working with Domhnall Gleeson on Alice & Jack, Channel 4 & PBS Masterpiece’s upcoming romantic drama that premiered at Mipcom Cannes.
Riseborough and Gleeson have worked plenty together down the years including on Never Let Me Go and Shadow Dancer, but hadn’t partnered on a project for some years until the series.
During an Alice & Jack Q&a this evening at Mipcom Cannes, chaired by Deadline’s Joe Utichi, Riseborough said it “felt like were reconnecting after a long time” and this had been obvious from the first scene that the pair did together.
“It was so catapulted and so real,” she added. “It’s strange to be both young and old with someone but I’ve done that with Domhnall and our relationship kind of reflects Alice and Jack’s meeting.
Riseborough and Gleeson have worked plenty together down the years including on Never Let Me Go and Shadow Dancer, but hadn’t partnered on a project for some years until the series.
During an Alice & Jack Q&a this evening at Mipcom Cannes, chaired by Deadline’s Joe Utichi, Riseborough said it “felt like were reconnecting after a long time” and this had been obvious from the first scene that the pair did together.
“It was so catapulted and so real,” she added. “It’s strange to be both young and old with someone but I’ve done that with Domhnall and our relationship kind of reflects Alice and Jack’s meeting.
- 10/16/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery thinks the iron is hot, and it’s time to strike by expanding its flagship streaming service to new markets.
European streaming audiences are the next target for streaming executives. Data recently released by Ampere Analysis shows that Western Europe is set to overtake North America as the second-largest streaming market in the world by 2024, and Warner Bros. Discovery wants to ensure its streamers are a big part of the equation.
European launch of Max begins in spring of 2024. Nordic territories will see the rollout first, with France and other territories coming later in the year. Max is the only streaming service to show a profit besides Netflix. 7-Day Free Trial $9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com
Get 20% Off Your Next Year of Max When Pre-Paid Annually
Max Heads to Europe
Wbd international head Gerhard Zeiler and Wbd streaming chief for Europe, the Middle East and Africa Leah Hooper...
European streaming audiences are the next target for streaming executives. Data recently released by Ampere Analysis shows that Western Europe is set to overtake North America as the second-largest streaming market in the world by 2024, and Warner Bros. Discovery wants to ensure its streamers are a big part of the equation.
European launch of Max begins in spring of 2024. Nordic territories will see the rollout first, with France and other territories coming later in the year. Max is the only streaming service to show a profit besides Netflix. 7-Day Free Trial $9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com
Get 20% Off Your Next Year of Max When Pre-Paid Annually
Max Heads to Europe
Wbd international head Gerhard Zeiler and Wbd streaming chief for Europe, the Middle East and Africa Leah Hooper...
- 10/16/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Around 70 delegates from Israel had been due to attend TV market, but majority have been unable to make it.
TV market Mipcom kicked off today with a reduced Israeli contingent and ‘elevated’ security measures in place following the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel.
Lucy Smith, director of Mipcom, said that around 70 delegates from Israel were due to be attending but that the majority had been unable to make it.
“We are very heartened that there are several with us here today, and others who are continuing to exhibit with the support of their international teams,” said Smith, speaking ahead of...
TV market Mipcom kicked off today with a reduced Israeli contingent and ‘elevated’ security measures in place following the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel.
Lucy Smith, director of Mipcom, said that around 70 delegates from Israel were due to be attending but that the majority had been unable to make it.
“We are very heartened that there are several with us here today, and others who are continuing to exhibit with the support of their international teams,” said Smith, speaking ahead of...
- 10/16/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Launch of scripted focused label announced at Mipcom.
Actor, director and producer Eva Longoria has teamed with producer Cris Abrego to launch scripted focused outfit Hyphenate Media Group.
The new venture will invest in creator-led enterprises as well as develop and produce its own slate of original programming. Abrego will serve as the CEO of the company, and Longoria as chief creative officer.
Banijay, where Abrego has been chairman of the Americas since 2020, has made a strategic investment in the new business to accelerate its growth.
The launch announcement was made by Abrego and Longoria during a keynote at Mipcom.
Actor, director and producer Eva Longoria has teamed with producer Cris Abrego to launch scripted focused outfit Hyphenate Media Group.
The new venture will invest in creator-led enterprises as well as develop and produce its own slate of original programming. Abrego will serve as the CEO of the company, and Longoria as chief creative officer.
Banijay, where Abrego has been chairman of the Americas since 2020, has made a strategic investment in the new business to accelerate its growth.
The launch announcement was made by Abrego and Longoria during a keynote at Mipcom.
- 10/16/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
The project stars American actress/model Devon Ross.
The production of director Dominik Sedlar’s Second World War feature Vindicta is underway in Croatia.
The film stars Devon Ross (HBO’s Irma Vep), Jack Bandeira, Sam Hazeldine (Peaky Blinders), Pip Torrens, Suzanne Bertish and Anna Madeley.
Austrian producer Veit Heiduschka, who has produced several of Michael Haneke’s films including Happy End, Amour, The White Ribbon and Hidden, is producing alongside Croatia Film’s creative director Zeljko Zima, Stephen Ollendorff, Alan Green, Wendy Benge and Sedlar.
It is Croatian-born US filmmaker Sedlar’s third successive feature with a Second World...
The production of director Dominik Sedlar’s Second World War feature Vindicta is underway in Croatia.
The film stars Devon Ross (HBO’s Irma Vep), Jack Bandeira, Sam Hazeldine (Peaky Blinders), Pip Torrens, Suzanne Bertish and Anna Madeley.
Austrian producer Veit Heiduschka, who has produced several of Michael Haneke’s films including Happy End, Amour, The White Ribbon and Hidden, is producing alongside Croatia Film’s creative director Zeljko Zima, Stephen Ollendorff, Alan Green, Wendy Benge and Sedlar.
It is Croatian-born US filmmaker Sedlar’s third successive feature with a Second World...
- 10/16/2023
- by Priyanca Rajput
- ScreenDaily
Wbd’s international head Gerhard Zeiler emphasised the importance of the theatrical window in Mipcom keynote.
Warner Bros Discovery (Wbd) is to roll out its Max platform in 22 countries in Europe from spring 2024, followed by launches in France and Belgium later in the year.
However, there was no news about plans for the UK market where HBO has a licencing deal with Sky.
The launches were announced during a Mipcom keynote today by Warner Bros Discovery’s (Wbd) international head Gerhard Zeiler, alongside SVP head of streaming Emea Leah Hooper Rosa.
Max will initially launch in the 22 countries across the Nordic region,...
Warner Bros Discovery (Wbd) is to roll out its Max platform in 22 countries in Europe from spring 2024, followed by launches in France and Belgium later in the year.
However, there was no news about plans for the UK market where HBO has a licencing deal with Sky.
The launches were announced during a Mipcom keynote today by Warner Bros Discovery’s (Wbd) international head Gerhard Zeiler, alongside SVP head of streaming Emea Leah Hooper Rosa.
Max will initially launch in the 22 countries across the Nordic region,...
- 10/16/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Warner Bros. Discovery will launch its Max streaming service across 22 European countries starting in the spring.
Gerhard Zeiler, president of international at Warner Bros. Discovery, and Leah Hooper Rosa, Wbd head of streaming for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (Emea), made the announcement on Monday from international television market MIPCOM, where Zeiler was giving the opening keynote address.
Rosa said the initial European rollout will be across Wbd’s continental footprint, including the Nordic and Iberian regions, as well as the Netherlands and Central and Eastern Europe. The second wave, she said, would include France and Belgium later in 2024. Still missing are the U.K., German and Italian markets, where HBO has lucrative existing output deals with European pay giant Sky.
Max’s European offering will also include live-streamed sports content via Wbd’s Eurosport channel, including coverage of the tennis Grand Slam tournaments, cycling’s Tour de France...
Gerhard Zeiler, president of international at Warner Bros. Discovery, and Leah Hooper Rosa, Wbd head of streaming for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (Emea), made the announcement on Monday from international television market MIPCOM, where Zeiler was giving the opening keynote address.
Rosa said the initial European rollout will be across Wbd’s continental footprint, including the Nordic and Iberian regions, as well as the Netherlands and Central and Eastern Europe. The second wave, she said, would include France and Belgium later in 2024. Still missing are the U.K., German and Italian markets, where HBO has lucrative existing output deals with European pay giant Sky.
Max’s European offering will also include live-streamed sports content via Wbd’s Eurosport channel, including coverage of the tennis Grand Slam tournaments, cycling’s Tour de France...
- 10/16/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Warner Bros. Discovery (Wbd) Max streamer will launch in 22 European countries in spring 2024 and France and Belgium later next year, the media outfit revealed today.
Opening Mipcom Cannes with a keynote, interntional boss Gerhard Zeiler and Emea Head of Streaming Leah Hooper Rosa brought highly-anticipated news of the rollout of the new streamer in the continent, which is rebranding from HBO Max with a bigger offering.
The Nordics, the Netherlands, Iberia and Cee, which already have HBO Max, will gain access to the rebranded streamer in the spring.
There will then be a “second wave” of launches later next year including in France and Belgium, which currently don’t have HBO Max, although Wbd has an output deal with Amazon locally in France.
The streamer will air the Paris Olympics next summer alongside holding the wealth of content owned by Wbd including HBO shows, Warner and DC movies. The...
Opening Mipcom Cannes with a keynote, interntional boss Gerhard Zeiler and Emea Head of Streaming Leah Hooper Rosa brought highly-anticipated news of the rollout of the new streamer in the continent, which is rebranding from HBO Max with a bigger offering.
The Nordics, the Netherlands, Iberia and Cee, which already have HBO Max, will gain access to the rebranded streamer in the spring.
There will then be a “second wave” of launches later next year including in France and Belgium, which currently don’t have HBO Max, although Wbd has an output deal with Amazon locally in France.
The streamer will air the Paris Olympics next summer alongside holding the wealth of content owned by Wbd including HBO shows, Warner and DC movies. The...
- 10/16/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery will be launching its streaming service Max in France, one of its top European markets, next summer, Variety has learned.
The launch in France and in Belgium will follow a rollout in 22 countries across the Nordics, Iberia, Spain, the Netherlands and Central Eastern Europe in the spring. The European plan was unveiled in broad strokes by Gerhard Zeiler, president of international at Warner Bros. Discovery, and Leah Hooper, Warner Bros. Discovery’s European head of streaming, during a keynote at Mipcom Cannes on Monday.
Hooper also announced that Max will stream live sport in Europe with Eurosport’s rights portfolio, including Grand Slam tennis, cycling’s Grand Tours, as well as coverage of the Olympic Games which will be held in Paris starting next July and will be streamed live and on demand on Max. The streamer will offer live simulcasts of our local entertainment networks in some countries.
The launch in France and in Belgium will follow a rollout in 22 countries across the Nordics, Iberia, Spain, the Netherlands and Central Eastern Europe in the spring. The European plan was unveiled in broad strokes by Gerhard Zeiler, president of international at Warner Bros. Discovery, and Leah Hooper, Warner Bros. Discovery’s European head of streaming, during a keynote at Mipcom Cannes on Monday.
Hooper also announced that Max will stream live sport in Europe with Eurosport’s rights portfolio, including Grand Slam tennis, cycling’s Grand Tours, as well as coverage of the Olympic Games which will be held in Paris starting next July and will be streamed live and on demand on Max. The streamer will offer live simulcasts of our local entertainment networks in some countries.
- 10/16/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Another year, another crossroads for the content business. As buyers and sellers gather in Cannes this week for Mipcom, change is in the air yet again on both sides of the Atlantic.
In the U.S., the largest media conglomerates are all in rebuilding mode, even the mighty Disney. The Europe and the U.K., on the other hand, the sense of opportunity is palpable as the largest streamers fight to compete on a global scale that has opened up doors for non-English language content.
The conference will kick off with Gerhard Zeiler, Warner Bros. Discovery’s president of international, who will unveil roll out plans for its standalone service, Max, across Europe, including in France where local originals have been commissioned. Wbd made headlines in the run up to Mipcom due to an exodus of top-ranking executives that has made way to a new leadership structure for global markets.
In the U.S., the largest media conglomerates are all in rebuilding mode, even the mighty Disney. The Europe and the U.K., on the other hand, the sense of opportunity is palpable as the largest streamers fight to compete on a global scale that has opened up doors for non-English language content.
The conference will kick off with Gerhard Zeiler, Warner Bros. Discovery’s president of international, who will unveil roll out plans for its standalone service, Max, across Europe, including in France where local originals have been commissioned. Wbd made headlines in the run up to Mipcom due to an exodus of top-ranking executives that has made way to a new leadership structure for global markets.
- 10/16/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The 2023 MIPCOM Cannes international television market kicks off Monday against the backdrop of the violence in the Middle East with the Israel-Hamas War, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and a worldwide TV industry that has seen its business models, built on the promise of global streaming revenues, collapse with little to replace them.
The importance of the latter issue pales against the gravity of the two wars on the edge of Europe, but it will likely be the one most on the minds of industry execs on the Croisette, who have come to Cannes to try and figure out how to weather the downturn everyone knows is coming (or is already here).
“It’s been bad, and everyone I speak to expects it to get a lot worse,” says Ida Martins, CEO of European indie sales group Media Luna. “Coming out of Covid at [MIPCOM] last year there was hope, but...
The importance of the latter issue pales against the gravity of the two wars on the edge of Europe, but it will likely be the one most on the minds of industry execs on the Croisette, who have come to Cannes to try and figure out how to weather the downturn everyone knows is coming (or is already here).
“It’s been bad, and everyone I speak to expects it to get a lot worse,” says Ida Martins, CEO of European indie sales group Media Luna. “Coming out of Covid at [MIPCOM] last year there was hope, but...
- 10/16/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. Discovery international president Gerhard Zeiler has unveiled an expanded global remit for David Decker, the conglomerate’s president of content sales as the company continues to streamline and fine-tune its organization.
“David will, besides his domestic remit, oversee global opportunities for content licensing to major platform clients, like Netflix, Amazon, Roku and Paramount who operate worldwide,” he wrote in a staff memo on Friday.
Phil Goodhew, senior vp, commercial strategy, international TV distribution, and Allan Stenhouse, senior vp, international TV marketing, will now both report to Decker, Zeiler wrote, explaining: “Phil and Allan will work closely with the international leadership and local licensing teams, from a commercial strategy and marketing perspective, and will ensure a smooth operating rhythm and information flow across all the sales teams.”
The new structure for the content licensing team follows the July announcement that Robert Blair, president of Wbd International TV Distribution, would be leaving the company.
“David will, besides his domestic remit, oversee global opportunities for content licensing to major platform clients, like Netflix, Amazon, Roku and Paramount who operate worldwide,” he wrote in a staff memo on Friday.
Phil Goodhew, senior vp, commercial strategy, international TV distribution, and Allan Stenhouse, senior vp, international TV marketing, will now both report to Decker, Zeiler wrote, explaining: “Phil and Allan will work closely with the international leadership and local licensing teams, from a commercial strategy and marketing perspective, and will ensure a smooth operating rhythm and information flow across all the sales teams.”
The new structure for the content licensing team follows the July announcement that Robert Blair, president of Wbd International TV Distribution, would be leaving the company.
- 10/13/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In the past few minutes, Warner Bros Discovery has set out plans for its new look international sales team following Robert Blair’s exit.
Wbd International President Gerhard Zeiler sent an internal memo revealing the new Wbd International TV Distribution structure, which will be in place following next week’s Mipcom.
This follows Zeiler’s conversations with Wbd’s international licensing teams, including those from the long-serving Blair’s team, local units and U.S. execs on the future shape of the sales division.
The resulting restructure will see Phil Goodhew, SVP Commercial Strategy, International TV Distribution and Allan Stenhouse, SVP International TV Marketing, now reporting to David Decker, President of Content Sales. The pair will work closely with International leadership and local licensing teams from both a commercial strategy and marketing perspective, to “ensure a smooth operating rhythm and information flow across all the sales teams,” wrote Zeiler.
Decker,...
Wbd International President Gerhard Zeiler sent an internal memo revealing the new Wbd International TV Distribution structure, which will be in place following next week’s Mipcom.
This follows Zeiler’s conversations with Wbd’s international licensing teams, including those from the long-serving Blair’s team, local units and U.S. execs on the future shape of the sales division.
The resulting restructure will see Phil Goodhew, SVP Commercial Strategy, International TV Distribution and Allan Stenhouse, SVP International TV Marketing, now reporting to David Decker, President of Content Sales. The pair will work closely with International leadership and local licensing teams from both a commercial strategy and marketing perspective, to “ensure a smooth operating rhythm and information flow across all the sales teams,” wrote Zeiler.
Decker,...
- 10/13/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Questions (and concerns) about AI will come to the foreground at this year’s Mipcom international co-production and content market, which runs Oct. 16–19 in Cannes. Alongside the thousands of buyers and preeminent audiovisual execs expected to hit the mart, immersive producers, media regulators and legal experts will take the stage for an Oct. 17 “Unlocking AI” summit meant to address ethical concerns and better contextualize those two anxiety-inducing vowels on everyone’s mind.
“We are staging this summit because AI has universal importance in each of the 100 different countries that attend Mipcom,” says event director Lucy Smith. “And we hope our contributors can both demonstrate and demystify [the new technology].”
Hewing along more traditional lines, October’s edition will kick off with an event screening of the Secuoya Studios’ “Zorro,” a small screen comeback for the swashbuckling Don Diego de la Vega — here played by “Elite” and “1899” star Miguel Bernardeau — in a production...
“We are staging this summit because AI has universal importance in each of the 100 different countries that attend Mipcom,” says event director Lucy Smith. “And we hope our contributors can both demonstrate and demystify [the new technology].”
Hewing along more traditional lines, October’s edition will kick off with an event screening of the Secuoya Studios’ “Zorro,” a small screen comeback for the swashbuckling Don Diego de la Vega — here played by “Elite” and “1899” star Miguel Bernardeau — in a production...
- 10/12/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The major U.S. studios heading to Mipcom are proving global streaming and third-party licensing “can co-exist and work together,” says the event’s director.
Lucy Smith, Director of the Entertainment Division at Mipcom Cannes organizer Rx France, told Deadline the “assumption of recent years that streaming would somehow upend what happens in distribution” had faded — a boon for the traditionally sales-focused market.
The likes of Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount Global have heavily bought into Mipcom this year, with Wbd International President Gerhard Zeiler delivering a keynote speech on Monday and Paramount President and CEO Bob Bakish being honored as Personality of the Year later that day.
Both companies, along with the other major U.S. studios, will operate from sizeable stands and have sales execs working half-hour slots to shop in-house programs and films that might have been warehoused for their global streaming services in recent years.
Lucy Smith, Director of the Entertainment Division at Mipcom Cannes organizer Rx France, told Deadline the “assumption of recent years that streaming would somehow upend what happens in distribution” had faded — a boon for the traditionally sales-focused market.
The likes of Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount Global have heavily bought into Mipcom this year, with Wbd International President Gerhard Zeiler delivering a keynote speech on Monday and Paramount President and CEO Bob Bakish being honored as Personality of the Year later that day.
Both companies, along with the other major U.S. studios, will operate from sizeable stands and have sales execs working half-hour slots to shop in-house programs and films that might have been warehoused for their global streaming services in recent years.
- 10/12/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Sean Penn’s “C*A*U*G*H*T” has dropped out of the France-based TV trade conference MIPCOM due to war in Israel, according to multiple media reports.
Originally, the Australian series was supposed to hold a Media Mastermind Keynote at the international TV conference on October 18. Penn, series star Matthew Fox and creator, writer and director Kick Gurry were all supposed to be in attendance.
“In light of the current situation unfolding in Israel, we have taken the decision not to showcase ‘C*A*U*G*H*T’ at MIPCOM this year,” Fremantle said in a statement to Variety. “At this time, our hearts and thoughts are with our colleagues and our partners in Israel, and all those affected.”
Set in Cannes, MIPCOM is an international conference for TV and entertainment executives. It features several keynote presentations as well as international premieres and takes place from October 16 to October 19. This year,...
Originally, the Australian series was supposed to hold a Media Mastermind Keynote at the international TV conference on October 18. Penn, series star Matthew Fox and creator, writer and director Kick Gurry were all supposed to be in attendance.
“In light of the current situation unfolding in Israel, we have taken the decision not to showcase ‘C*A*U*G*H*T’ at MIPCOM this year,” Fremantle said in a statement to Variety. “At this time, our hearts and thoughts are with our colleagues and our partners in Israel, and all those affected.”
Set in Cannes, MIPCOM is an international conference for TV and entertainment executives. It features several keynote presentations as well as international premieres and takes place from October 16 to October 19. This year,...
- 10/10/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
Welcome to your Friday rundown, Insiders. Max Goldbart here to take you through the top international film and TV stories filling your inbox over the past seven days. And don’t forget to sign up to the newsletter here.
Wbd & Paramount Forge International Path
End of the exodus?: It doesn’t feel five minutes ago that Gerhard Zeiler was setting his first post-wbd merger international unit, and yet he was at it again on Thursday. This was following a spate of exits that has seen Emea boss Priya Dogra, international distribution head Robert Blair, Germany lead Hannes Heyelmann and, most recently, France chief Pierre Branco announce departures over the past weeks. This mini-exodus has been the talk of international confabs of late but Zeiler appeared to stem the flow with an all-staff email yesterday announcing another rejig, in which he acknowledged that “change can be unsettling and we have...
Wbd & Paramount Forge International Path
End of the exodus?: It doesn’t feel five minutes ago that Gerhard Zeiler was setting his first post-wbd merger international unit, and yet he was at it again on Thursday. This was following a spate of exits that has seen Emea boss Priya Dogra, international distribution head Robert Blair, Germany lead Hannes Heyelmann and, most recently, France chief Pierre Branco announce departures over the past weeks. This mini-exodus has been the talk of international confabs of late but Zeiler appeared to stem the flow with an all-staff email yesterday announcing another rejig, in which he acknowledged that “change can be unsettling and we have...
- 10/6/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Move follows spate of senior departures in recent weeks
Warner Bros Discovery president of international Gerhard Zeiler has announced his new leadership team following a series of departures in recent weeks.
The appointments follow the exits of Emea president Priya Dogra, head of international TV distribution Robert Blair, Germany boss Hannes Heyelmann and French general manager Pierre Branco.
Clement Schwebig, who has managed India, Southeast Asia and Korea (Inseak) since 2020, will now have responsibility for Gsa, France, Benelux and Africa which will be brought together into a single Western Europe & Africa market cluster.
James Gibbons, president and managing director for Australia,...
Warner Bros Discovery president of international Gerhard Zeiler has announced his new leadership team following a series of departures in recent weeks.
The appointments follow the exits of Emea president Priya Dogra, head of international TV distribution Robert Blair, Germany boss Hannes Heyelmann and French general manager Pierre Branco.
Clement Schwebig, who has managed India, Southeast Asia and Korea (Inseak) since 2020, will now have responsibility for Gsa, France, Benelux and Africa which will be brought together into a single Western Europe & Africa market cluster.
James Gibbons, president and managing director for Australia,...
- 10/5/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Warner Bros. Discovery international boss Gerhard Zeiler has unveiled a new international leadership structure for the company following various executive departures and restructurings.
“Following my recent announcements about the departure of Priya Dogra, Robert Blair, Hannes Heyelmann and Pierre Branco, I have been working with the leadership across the international business to create a new International structure that best leverages the strengths of our businesses, while empowering all of us to drive the future growth and success of the company,” he said in a memo. “After many discussions I am now pleased to share with you the new international leadership team, who will report into me.”
As far as key regions go, Latin America will continue to be led by Fernando Medin.
Meanwhile, in the Asia Pacific area, the India, Southeast Asia and Korea (Inseak) and Western Pacific regions will be united into a single Apac region under the leadership of James Gibbons.
“Following my recent announcements about the departure of Priya Dogra, Robert Blair, Hannes Heyelmann and Pierre Branco, I have been working with the leadership across the international business to create a new International structure that best leverages the strengths of our businesses, while empowering all of us to drive the future growth and success of the company,” he said in a memo. “After many discussions I am now pleased to share with you the new international leadership team, who will report into me.”
As far as key regions go, Latin America will continue to be led by Fernando Medin.
Meanwhile, in the Asia Pacific area, the India, Southeast Asia and Korea (Inseak) and Western Pacific regions will be united into a single Apac region under the leadership of James Gibbons.
- 10/5/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. Discovery international boss Gerhard Zeiler has set a new leadership structure for his team following a spate of exits in the past few weeks.
Zeiler sent an all-staff email out this morning in which he laid out how the team will work now that Emea boss Priya Dogra, international distribution head Robert Blair, Germany lead Hannes Heyelmann and France chief Pierre Branco have departed. There have been no layoffs as part of the restructure, Deadline understands.
James Gibbons has been promoted from Asia Pacific, Inseak and Western Pacific boss to run all of Apac, while Clement Schwebig, who has managed Inseak since 2020, will now have responsibility for Gsa, France, Benelux and Africa, which will be brought together into a single Western Europe & Africa market cluster under his leadership.
You can see the full structure at the bottom of this article laid out in Zeiler’s email.
Zeiler said...
Zeiler sent an all-staff email out this morning in which he laid out how the team will work now that Emea boss Priya Dogra, international distribution head Robert Blair, Germany lead Hannes Heyelmann and France chief Pierre Branco have departed. There have been no layoffs as part of the restructure, Deadline understands.
James Gibbons has been promoted from Asia Pacific, Inseak and Western Pacific boss to run all of Apac, while Clement Schwebig, who has managed Inseak since 2020, will now have responsibility for Gsa, France, Benelux and Africa, which will be brought together into a single Western Europe & Africa market cluster under his leadership.
You can see the full structure at the bottom of this article laid out in Zeiler’s email.
Zeiler said...
- 10/5/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Pierre Branco will leave Warner Bros. Discovery, where he has held the role of executive vp, general manager for France, Benelux and Africa.
Gerhard Zeiler, the conglomerate’s international president, unveiled the news in a memo to staff on Tuesday.
Branco joined Turner in 2006 and held several key roles across the Europe, Middle East and Africa (Emea) region, including leading Turner’s TV and digital business in France, the U.K., Northern Europe, Middle East and Africa, where he launched new key brands, including Toonami and Warner TV that expanded the company’s footprint in these markets. He then led the affiliate and ad sales unit in Emea and was responsible for wholesale distribution contracts when HBO Max was launched in the region. Most recently, back in France as general manager, he “contributed to the growth of our studio business and the success of our theatrical slate with local movies like Simone,...
Gerhard Zeiler, the conglomerate’s international president, unveiled the news in a memo to staff on Tuesday.
Branco joined Turner in 2006 and held several key roles across the Europe, Middle East and Africa (Emea) region, including leading Turner’s TV and digital business in France, the U.K., Northern Europe, Middle East and Africa, where he launched new key brands, including Toonami and Warner TV that expanded the company’s footprint in these markets. He then led the affiliate and ad sales unit in Emea and was responsible for wholesale distribution contracts when HBO Max was launched in the region. Most recently, back in France as general manager, he “contributed to the growth of our studio business and the success of our theatrical slate with local movies like Simone,...
- 10/3/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. Discovery France boss Pierre Branco has become the latest international exec to depart the company.
Branco has been with the company for 17 years, working his way up to being promomted to head of France, Benelux and Africa last year after Warner Bros merged with Discovery. He will stay on until a new structure is finalized under international boss Gerhard Zeiler.
His exit follows that of Emea boss Priya Dogra, Germany head Hannes Heyelmann and international distribution chief Robert Blair in recent weeks.
In a note sent round in the past few minutes, Zeiler praised “a rare example of a leader who combines exceptional commercial skills with a truly creative mindset,” pointing to recent Branco successes such as local movie Simone and the launch of the Warner Pass on Amazon Prime Video.
He joined Turner in 2006 and held several roles across Emea, including leading Turner’s TV and digital business in France,...
Branco has been with the company for 17 years, working his way up to being promomted to head of France, Benelux and Africa last year after Warner Bros merged with Discovery. He will stay on until a new structure is finalized under international boss Gerhard Zeiler.
His exit follows that of Emea boss Priya Dogra, Germany head Hannes Heyelmann and international distribution chief Robert Blair in recent weeks.
In a note sent round in the past few minutes, Zeiler praised “a rare example of a leader who combines exceptional commercial skills with a truly creative mindset,” pointing to recent Branco successes such as local movie Simone and the launch of the Warner Pass on Amazon Prime Video.
He joined Turner in 2006 and held several roles across Emea, including leading Turner’s TV and digital business in France,...
- 10/3/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Pierre Branco, general manager for Warner Bros. Discovery in France, Benelux and Africa, is stepping down from his position, Variety has learned.
Branco took the job a year ago and was previously country manager for WarnerMedia in France, Benelux, Middle East and Africa and head of affiliates and ad sales for Emea. A source close to the company said it was Branco’s decision to exit the banner. He’s the fourth high-ranking Wbd executive to depart in recent months amid an internal shakeup, following Emea boss Priya Dogra, Hannes Heyelmann, who headed Germany, and Robert Blair, the former boss international TV distribution.
“My 17 years at Wbd have been ones of immense pride and satisfaction,” Branco said in a statement.” The executive said it gave him “the privilege of working on the best brands and content in the business, collaborating with incredible colleagues and partners across the globe and leading...
Branco took the job a year ago and was previously country manager for WarnerMedia in France, Benelux, Middle East and Africa and head of affiliates and ad sales for Emea. A source close to the company said it was Branco’s decision to exit the banner. He’s the fourth high-ranking Wbd executive to depart in recent months amid an internal shakeup, following Emea boss Priya Dogra, Hannes Heyelmann, who headed Germany, and Robert Blair, the former boss international TV distribution.
“My 17 years at Wbd have been ones of immense pride and satisfaction,” Branco said in a statement.” The executive said it gave him “the privilege of working on the best brands and content in the business, collaborating with incredible colleagues and partners across the globe and leading...
- 10/3/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Nigerian Media Mogul Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife Media, will present a keynote on diversity and inclusion in the global film and television industry at the MIPCOM Cannes confab next month.
Abudu, a regular on The Hollywood Reporter‘s annual list of the Most Powerful Women in Global Entertainment list, will present the keynote at MIPCOM on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at the Grand Auditorium in Cannes. The event directly proceeds the 7th edition of Mipcom’s Diversify TV Awards, the only global honor recognizing the promotion of diversity and inclusion at international media organizations.
In her 20 years in the media industry, Abudu has built up EbonyLife Media into one of Africa’s leading production companies, with a slate of local theatrical blockbusters — Fifty, The Wedding Party, Your Excellency, Òlòtūré — and television series, including Blood Sisters, Netflix’s first original Nigerian series, which was a global top ten hit on the streamer,...
Abudu, a regular on The Hollywood Reporter‘s annual list of the Most Powerful Women in Global Entertainment list, will present the keynote at MIPCOM on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at the Grand Auditorium in Cannes. The event directly proceeds the 7th edition of Mipcom’s Diversify TV Awards, the only global honor recognizing the promotion of diversity and inclusion at international media organizations.
In her 20 years in the media industry, Abudu has built up EbonyLife Media into one of Africa’s leading production companies, with a slate of local theatrical blockbusters — Fifty, The Wedding Party, Your Excellency, Òlòtūré — and television series, including Blood Sisters, Netflix’s first original Nigerian series, which was a global top ten hit on the streamer,...
- 9/29/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Desperate Housewives star and producer Eva Longoria will deliver a joint keynote at Mipcom Cannes next month.
Alongside Banijay Americas Chairman Cris Abrego, the Emmy-nominated director, producer, and activist will delve into the latest themes defining the entertainment industry, forecasting how they may shape the future both creatively and commercially.
The keynote will take place in the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes on Monday, October 16 at 4pm local time, as part of Mipcom’s Media Masterminds track.
Longoria and Abrego have been professional collaborators for more than two decades. Their talk will highlight their experiences and insights as industry leaders.
Besides her acting roles, Longoria has run her own production business UnbeliEVAble Entertainment since 2005. The company is behind ABC’s Grand Hotel, NBC’s Telenovela, and Netflix’s Emmy Award-nominated documentary Reversing Row, and culinary docuseries Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico for CNN. She made her...
Alongside Banijay Americas Chairman Cris Abrego, the Emmy-nominated director, producer, and activist will delve into the latest themes defining the entertainment industry, forecasting how they may shape the future both creatively and commercially.
The keynote will take place in the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes on Monday, October 16 at 4pm local time, as part of Mipcom’s Media Masterminds track.
Longoria and Abrego have been professional collaborators for more than two decades. Their talk will highlight their experiences and insights as industry leaders.
Besides her acting roles, Longoria has run her own production business UnbeliEVAble Entertainment since 2005. The company is behind ABC’s Grand Hotel, NBC’s Telenovela, and Netflix’s Emmy Award-nominated documentary Reversing Row, and culinary docuseries Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico for CNN. She made her...
- 9/20/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery Germany boss Hannes Heyelmann has become the latest to exit from Gerhard Zeiler’s international team.
In an internal note sent out earlier today, Zeiler said “a final decision about the future leadership in the region” will be made in the coming weeks, with Heyelmann, who has been with the company for two decades, set to stay on till October.
Heyelmann originally joined Turner in Atlanta, quickly rising to SVP, MD for Central and Eastern Europe and International Original Programming Strategy and then EVP Programming, Emea for WarnerMedia.
He was made EVP, General Manager for Germany, Switzerland and Austria last year when the team was restructured into territory blocks after the merger.
“I am extremely grateful to Hannes for his contribution and leadership in one of our most important, complex, and exciting regions, which as you know is close to my heart,” said Zeiler.
“And while it...
In an internal note sent out earlier today, Zeiler said “a final decision about the future leadership in the region” will be made in the coming weeks, with Heyelmann, who has been with the company for two decades, set to stay on till October.
Heyelmann originally joined Turner in Atlanta, quickly rising to SVP, MD for Central and Eastern Europe and International Original Programming Strategy and then EVP Programming, Emea for WarnerMedia.
He was made EVP, General Manager for Germany, Switzerland and Austria last year when the team was restructured into territory blocks after the merger.
“I am extremely grateful to Hannes for his contribution and leadership in one of our most important, complex, and exciting regions, which as you know is close to my heart,” said Zeiler.
“And while it...
- 9/15/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Hannes Heyelmann, Warner Bros. Discovery executive VP and general manager for Germany, Switzerland and Austria, has stepped down from his role.
The move comes after Warner Bros. Discovery Emea boss Priya Dogra left the company after almost 14 years last month. Dogra’s departure came just weeks after the exit of Robert Blair, president of international TV distribution, who left the company after 25 years. Dogra and Blair’s roles were not replaced.
In an internal memo to staff seen by Variety, Gerhard Zeiler, Wbd’s international president, wrote:
“When we launched the newly merged Warner Bros. Discovery in April last year, we did so with the ambition to be a top global entertainment company and we are making good progress towards our goals.
In reviewing our plans for Emea moving forward, Hannes Heyelmann has advised me of his decision to resign from his role of EVP, General Manager for Germany, Switzerland,...
The move comes after Warner Bros. Discovery Emea boss Priya Dogra left the company after almost 14 years last month. Dogra’s departure came just weeks after the exit of Robert Blair, president of international TV distribution, who left the company after 25 years. Dogra and Blair’s roles were not replaced.
In an internal memo to staff seen by Variety, Gerhard Zeiler, Wbd’s international president, wrote:
“When we launched the newly merged Warner Bros. Discovery in April last year, we did so with the ambition to be a top global entertainment company and we are making good progress towards our goals.
In reviewing our plans for Emea moving forward, Hannes Heyelmann has advised me of his decision to resign from his role of EVP, General Manager for Germany, Switzerland,...
- 9/15/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Mipcom, the Cannes-set international TV showcase, will pay tribute to Arthur Essebag, the well-known French TV host and founder of Satisfaction Group. Essebag will receive the international format awards at a gala ceremony on Oct. 15.
Founded nearly 14 years ago, Satisfaction ranks as a leading purveyor of unscripted programs in its home market with over 1,000 hours of TV content which are produced through labels across 30 territories, including France, Germany, Spain and the U.K.
Satisfaction recently ventured into English-language markets with a stake in Yes Yes Media, the company founded by Richard Bacon alongside Elisabeth Murdoch’s Sister Media. The outfit has also formed a joint venture with Fulwell 73, the U.K.-based production company behind “The Late Late Show With James Corden.”
The event will organize for the first time a summit dedicated to AI with Anshul Kapoor, head of media broadcasting solutions at Google, Benjamin Field, Deep Fusion Films’ executive producer,...
Founded nearly 14 years ago, Satisfaction ranks as a leading purveyor of unscripted programs in its home market with over 1,000 hours of TV content which are produced through labels across 30 territories, including France, Germany, Spain and the U.K.
Satisfaction recently ventured into English-language markets with a stake in Yes Yes Media, the company founded by Richard Bacon alongside Elisabeth Murdoch’s Sister Media. The outfit has also formed a joint venture with Fulwell 73, the U.K.-based production company behind “The Late Late Show With James Corden.”
The event will organize for the first time a summit dedicated to AI with Anshul Kapoor, head of media broadcasting solutions at Google, Benjamin Field, Deep Fusion Films’ executive producer,...
- 9/12/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Tencent Online Video CEO Sun Zhonghuai to deliver keynote.
China will be the 2023 country of honour at the Mipcom content market, which will take place in Cannes from October 16-19.
Sun Zhonghua, the vice president of Tencent, and CEO of Tencent Online Video, will give a keynote speech as one of the conference’s Media Mastermind series.
Further events include Fresh Content China, a session presented by the China Pavilion, featuring the country’s latest output alongside speakers from the China TV industry.
There will also be masterclasses on format adaptations in China and the use of latest technology within production,...
China will be the 2023 country of honour at the Mipcom content market, which will take place in Cannes from October 16-19.
Sun Zhonghua, the vice president of Tencent, and CEO of Tencent Online Video, will give a keynote speech as one of the conference’s Media Mastermind series.
Further events include Fresh Content China, a session presented by the China Pavilion, featuring the country’s latest output alongside speakers from the China TV industry.
There will also be masterclasses on format adaptations in China and the use of latest technology within production,...
- 9/12/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
James Corden is to give his first industry interview since leaving the Late Late Show and returning to the UK at the Rts Cambridge Convention next month.
Corden will speak about future plans and around the theme of the annual Convention, which is Too Much to Watch.
The former Gavin and Stacey star made his name in the States in the Broadway play One Man, Two Guvnors before fronting The Late Late Show, as his star rose enormously. He left the CBS gig earlier this year after nearly a decade and almost 2,000 episodes and the show is not continuing.
Corden is the latest to join a buzzy lineup for the Channel 4-sponsored confab that includes the likes of CAA Co-Chairman Bryan Lourd, Piers Morgan, Warner Bros. Discovery international boss Gerhard Zeiler and the heads of all the major broadacsters and Sky. Lourd will speak to British star Emma Thompson.
Corden will speak about future plans and around the theme of the annual Convention, which is Too Much to Watch.
The former Gavin and Stacey star made his name in the States in the Broadway play One Man, Two Guvnors before fronting The Late Late Show, as his star rose enormously. He left the CBS gig earlier this year after nearly a decade and almost 2,000 episodes and the show is not continuing.
Corden is the latest to join a buzzy lineup for the Channel 4-sponsored confab that includes the likes of CAA Co-Chairman Bryan Lourd, Piers Morgan, Warner Bros. Discovery international boss Gerhard Zeiler and the heads of all the major broadacsters and Sky. Lourd will speak to British star Emma Thompson.
- 8/30/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Andrew Georgiou upped to head of Warner Bros. Discovery’s media business in the U.K. and Ireland.
He replaces former general manager Antonio Ruiz, who recently left after just over a year in the post to return to Spain.
Georgiou will also continue as president and MD of Wbd Sports Europe, which operates Eurosport and TNT Sports.
In his new role, he will oversee TV networks — including Discovery, TLC, Quest, Quest Red, Really and Cartoon Network as well as Discovery+ — plus consumer products and home entertainment. He will also support the company’s theatrical business.
Georgiou has been with the company since 2019 when he joined from Lagardère Sports and Entertainment to take on the role of president of Europsport.
“Andrew has excelled at the business, being both commercially savvy and able to get things done,” said Gerhard Zeiler, international president at Warner Bros. Discovery. “As we enter another important...
He replaces former general manager Antonio Ruiz, who recently left after just over a year in the post to return to Spain.
Georgiou will also continue as president and MD of Wbd Sports Europe, which operates Eurosport and TNT Sports.
In his new role, he will oversee TV networks — including Discovery, TLC, Quest, Quest Red, Really and Cartoon Network as well as Discovery+ — plus consumer products and home entertainment. He will also support the company’s theatrical business.
Georgiou has been with the company since 2019 when he joined from Lagardère Sports and Entertainment to take on the role of president of Europsport.
“Andrew has excelled at the business, being both commercially savvy and able to get things done,” said Gerhard Zeiler, international president at Warner Bros. Discovery. “As we enter another important...
- 8/10/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
More change at Warner Bros. Discovery (Wbd), with UK and Ireland boss Antonio Ruiz having exited to be replaced by Andrew Georgiou.
Ruiz quietly left some months ago to return to Spain, while Georgiou has had his role expanded. He remains Managing Director of Wbd Sports Europe, which operates both Eurosport across Europe and newly-rebranded TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland.
The news comes just days after Emea boss Priya Dogra announced her exit and several weeks after long-serving TV distribution boss Robert Blair did the same.
Georgiou joined then-Discovery as President of Eurosport in 2019 from Lagardère Sports and Entertainment, where he was CEO, and has risen up the ranks.
He will helm the company in the crucial region with multiple TV channel brands including Discovery, TLC, Quest, Quest Red, Really, Cartoon Network, Eurosport and the newly launched TNT Sports as well as streamer Discovery+. He also has responsibility for consumer products,...
Ruiz quietly left some months ago to return to Spain, while Georgiou has had his role expanded. He remains Managing Director of Wbd Sports Europe, which operates both Eurosport across Europe and newly-rebranded TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland.
The news comes just days after Emea boss Priya Dogra announced her exit and several weeks after long-serving TV distribution boss Robert Blair did the same.
Georgiou joined then-Discovery as President of Eurosport in 2019 from Lagardère Sports and Entertainment, where he was CEO, and has risen up the ranks.
He will helm the company in the crucial region with multiple TV channel brands including Discovery, TLC, Quest, Quest Red, Really, Cartoon Network, Eurosport and the newly launched TNT Sports as well as streamer Discovery+. He also has responsibility for consumer products,...
- 8/10/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Andrew Georgiou has been named head of Warner Bros. Discovery’s media business in the U.K. and Ireland. He also retains his position as president and managing director of Wbd Sports Europe, which operates the company’s sports assets of Eurosport across Europe and TNT Sports in the U.K. and Ireland, the company said on Thursday.
“The appointment sees him helm the company in the region with multiple TV channel brands, including Discovery, TLC, Quest, Quest Red, Really, Cartoon Network, Eurosport and the newly launched TNT Sports, as well as Wbd’s streaming service Discovery+,” the company said. “He also has responsibility for consumer products, home entertainment and will support the local Warner Bros. theatrical business.”
Georgiou replaces Antonio Ruiz who the company said left a few months ago to return to Spain.
The latest executive reshuffle, part of continuing restructurings across the company that recently raised its...
“The appointment sees him helm the company in the region with multiple TV channel brands, including Discovery, TLC, Quest, Quest Red, Really, Cartoon Network, Eurosport and the newly launched TNT Sports, as well as Wbd’s streaming service Discovery+,” the company said. “He also has responsibility for consumer products, home entertainment and will support the local Warner Bros. theatrical business.”
Georgiou replaces Antonio Ruiz who the company said left a few months ago to return to Spain.
The latest executive reshuffle, part of continuing restructurings across the company that recently raised its...
- 8/10/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London-based exec was appointed last year.
Priya Dogra, Warner Bros Discovery’s president and manager director for Emea, is to leave the business later this year.
Her departure comes just over a year after she was appointed to the role following the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery. London-based Dogra previously held the same position at WarnerMedia.
Warner Bros Discovery’s Emea leadership team will now report directly to Warner Bros. Discovery president of international Gerhard Zeiler.
Zeiler informed staff of Dogra’s departure in a memo this afternoon (August 8), acknowledging it would “come as a surprise to many, especially because...
Priya Dogra, Warner Bros Discovery’s president and manager director for Emea, is to leave the business later this year.
Her departure comes just over a year after she was appointed to the role following the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery. London-based Dogra previously held the same position at WarnerMedia.
Warner Bros Discovery’s Emea leadership team will now report directly to Warner Bros. Discovery president of international Gerhard Zeiler.
Zeiler informed staff of Dogra’s departure in a memo this afternoon (August 8), acknowledging it would “come as a surprise to many, especially because...
- 8/8/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Less than 16 months after she was promoted to the role of president and managing director of Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Warner Bros. Discover as part of its major post-merger leadership shuffles, seasoned exec Priya Dogra is now exiting the company.
Dogra’s departure was announced by international president Gerhard Zeiler in an internal memo seen by The Hollywood Reporter in which he cited continued efforts to “evolve our company in response to significant changes in our industry.”
Zeiler — who said the decision was “mutual agreed” upon by himself and Dogra, who has been with Warner Bros. for nearly 14 years — acknowledged that the news would “come as a surprise to many, especially because Priya has been a key partner to me and has been instrumental in many important developments at our company during her tenure.”
Dogra — who spoke to journalists ahead of a Barbie screening in London just...
Dogra’s departure was announced by international president Gerhard Zeiler in an internal memo seen by The Hollywood Reporter in which he cited continued efforts to “evolve our company in response to significant changes in our industry.”
Zeiler — who said the decision was “mutual agreed” upon by himself and Dogra, who has been with Warner Bros. for nearly 14 years — acknowledged that the news would “come as a surprise to many, especially because Priya has been a key partner to me and has been instrumental in many important developments at our company during her tenure.”
Dogra — who spoke to journalists ahead of a Barbie screening in London just...
- 8/8/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. Discovery Emea boss Priya Dogra is exiting the company after 14 years in post and her role is being closed.
Dogra has been serving as President & Managing Director, Emea since the high-profile merger of Warner Media and Discovery. In an email to staff in the past few minutes, her boss Gerhard Zeiler said the pair had “mutually agreed” that she will leave at the end of this year. Zeiler’s full email, which was obtained by Deadline, can be read below.
Going forwards, the Emea team will report to Zeiler and Dogra will not be replaced. The Emea team is split into regions with the likes of Antonio Ruiz running UK and Ireland, Christina Sulebakk overseeing Nordics and Jamie Cooke looking after the Baltics, Middle East, Mediterranean and Turkey.
Zeiler said the news “will come as a surprise to many, especially because Priya has been a key partner to...
Dogra has been serving as President & Managing Director, Emea since the high-profile merger of Warner Media and Discovery. In an email to staff in the past few minutes, her boss Gerhard Zeiler said the pair had “mutually agreed” that she will leave at the end of this year. Zeiler’s full email, which was obtained by Deadline, can be read below.
Going forwards, the Emea team will report to Zeiler and Dogra will not be replaced. The Emea team is split into regions with the likes of Antonio Ruiz running UK and Ireland, Christina Sulebakk overseeing Nordics and Jamie Cooke looking after the Baltics, Middle East, Mediterranean and Turkey.
Zeiler said the news “will come as a surprise to many, especially because Priya has been a key partner to...
- 8/8/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Gerhard Zeiler, president of international, Warner Bros. Discovery, will give the opening keynote at this year’s MIPCOM international television trade fair in Cannes.
Zeiler will kick off the event with a fireside chat Monday, Oct. 16. The 39th MIPCOM runs through Oct. 19.
The veteran European media executive was honored at the conference back in 2004, when he was still CEO of German media giant Rtl Group, and was named MIPCOM’s personality of the year.
As Warner Bros. Discovery’s international boss, Zeiler is expected to share how the studio has managed its post-merger transformation and outline the group’s global content and streaming strategy. Zeiler took over as president of international at WB in 2020 and extended his remit across Discovery Inc. in April 2022, after the close of the Discovery/WarnerMedia merger. In his position, he has strategic oversight for Wbd brands and joint responsibility for the company’s direct-to-consumer operations,...
Zeiler will kick off the event with a fireside chat Monday, Oct. 16. The 39th MIPCOM runs through Oct. 19.
The veteran European media executive was honored at the conference back in 2004, when he was still CEO of German media giant Rtl Group, and was named MIPCOM’s personality of the year.
As Warner Bros. Discovery’s international boss, Zeiler is expected to share how the studio has managed its post-merger transformation and outline the group’s global content and streaming strategy. Zeiler took over as president of international at WB in 2020 and extended his remit across Discovery Inc. in April 2022, after the close of the Discovery/WarnerMedia merger. In his position, he has strategic oversight for Wbd brands and joint responsibility for the company’s direct-to-consumer operations,...
- 8/4/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
MIPCOM Keynote Speaker
Gerhard Zeiler, president of international at Warner Bros. Discovery, will give the opening keynote at the 39th edition of TV market Mipcom, which runs Oct. 16-19 in Cannes.
Zeiler is expected to share insight into Wbd’s transformation post-merger as well as lay out the company’s worldwide content and streaming strategy.
Zeiler’s responsibilities for Wbd span strategic oversight of brands and joint responsibility for direct-to-consumer activity (including streaming service Max) across more than 220 markets. He is also responsible for local theatrical production, acquisitions, and country and region-specific networks and businesses in Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific.
Zeiler said: “Our industry is facing heightened disruption and undergoing a process of transformation. These are times of change but it’s also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to architect the media ecosystem for the next generation. I’m looking forward to speaking at Mipcom about...
Gerhard Zeiler, president of international at Warner Bros. Discovery, will give the opening keynote at the 39th edition of TV market Mipcom, which runs Oct. 16-19 in Cannes.
Zeiler is expected to share insight into Wbd’s transformation post-merger as well as lay out the company’s worldwide content and streaming strategy.
Zeiler’s responsibilities for Wbd span strategic oversight of brands and joint responsibility for direct-to-consumer activity (including streaming service Max) across more than 220 markets. He is also responsible for local theatrical production, acquisitions, and country and region-specific networks and businesses in Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific.
Zeiler said: “Our industry is facing heightened disruption and undergoing a process of transformation. These are times of change but it’s also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to architect the media ecosystem for the next generation. I’m looking forward to speaking at Mipcom about...
- 8/4/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery’s president of international TV distribution Robert Blair is set to leave the company after 25 years as part of another round of restructuring for the studio’s international arm.
In an internal memo seen by The Hollywood Reporter Wbd’s president of international Gerhard Zeiler announced that Blair would be exiting and also that his post, which he was promoted to in 2019, would not be replaced.
“Last year, we unveiled a new org structure for international, which we believed best positioned us for success at that time. But we also acknowledged that in an ever-changing industry and market, we would need to continue to evolve in a thoughtful and strategic way, along with the climate around us,” he said.
“Seven months into 2023, although we remain confident about our trajectory as a business, we are at another inflection point, and one where the global economy has not rebounded...
In an internal memo seen by The Hollywood Reporter Wbd’s president of international Gerhard Zeiler announced that Blair would be exiting and also that his post, which he was promoted to in 2019, would not be replaced.
“Last year, we unveiled a new org structure for international, which we believed best positioned us for success at that time. But we also acknowledged that in an ever-changing industry and market, we would need to continue to evolve in a thoughtful and strategic way, along with the climate around us,” he said.
“Seven months into 2023, although we remain confident about our trajectory as a business, we are at another inflection point, and one where the global economy has not rebounded...
- 7/24/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Robert Blair, president, Warner Bros. Discovery international TV distribution, is departing the company after 25 years. His position will not be replaced.
In an internal memo to staff, seen by Variety, Gerhard Zeiler, Warner Bros. Discovery president, international, wrote: “Last year, we unveiled a new org structure for international, which we believed best positioned us for success at that time. But we also acknowledged that in an ever-changing industry and market, we would need to continue to evolve in a thoughtful and strategic way, along with the climate around us.
Seven months into 2023, although we remain confident about our trajectory as a business, we are at another inflection point, and one where the global economy has not rebounded as quickly as we had hoped.
As such, today I’m announcing that Robert Blair, president, Wbd international TV distribution, will be departing Wbd. We will not be replacing his position.
After much deliberation,...
In an internal memo to staff, seen by Variety, Gerhard Zeiler, Warner Bros. Discovery president, international, wrote: “Last year, we unveiled a new org structure for international, which we believed best positioned us for success at that time. But we also acknowledged that in an ever-changing industry and market, we would need to continue to evolve in a thoughtful and strategic way, along with the climate around us.
Seven months into 2023, although we remain confident about our trajectory as a business, we are at another inflection point, and one where the global economy has not rebounded as quickly as we had hoped.
As such, today I’m announcing that Robert Blair, president, Wbd international TV distribution, will be departing Wbd. We will not be replacing his position.
After much deliberation,...
- 7/24/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
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