Movies

Warner Bros. Discovery puts Channing Dungey in charge of TV networks

BBG News

As a lifelong cinephile with a keen eye for behind-the-scenes industry dynamics, I can’t help but feel a sense of both admiration and anticipation regarding the recent shift at Warner Bros. Discovery. Kathleen Finch, a titan in her field, is retiring after an impressive 25-year tenure that saw her transform a humble cable programmer into a household name.

On Friday, Warner Bros. Discovery announced plans to reorganize their management structure, with the U.S. Networks group now reporting directly to Channing Dungey, who heads their television studio division, due to the group’s recent struggles.

At the close of this year, Kathleen Finch, an experienced Discovery executive who was previously a journalist and head of the Food Network for many years, will officially retire from the company.

Finch has been with Discovery for 25 years, which goes as far back as when the company was a small programming outfit situated at the terminus of the Metro line in Silver Spring, Maryland.

In 2022, after taking over WarnerMedia, David Zaslav assigned Finch to manage a bigger division of cable networks that encompasses HGTV, TLC, Food Network, TBS, and Animal Planet.

As I step into my new role with Warner Bros. Discovery, I’ll be taking on a position of significant influence, overseeing one of their biggest divisions. My background in managing TV networks at the Walt Disney Company’s ABC will undoubtedly prove valuable in this new endeavor.

Despite the fact, the group has been experiencing tension. Notably, at the start of this month, Warner Bros. Discovery reported a $9-billion reduction in the worth of its basic cable networks group. The channels have been struggling due to viewers’ preference for streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu over traditional television options.

Channing excels uniquely as a creative executive, having nurtured numerous critically acclaimed and successful TV series, according to Zaslav’s statement. With her extensive background in content creation, channel programming, and network management, she is exceptionally qualified to oversee our U.S. Networks.

In 1999, Finch began her tenure with Scripps Networks, working as a programmer for the newly established Food Network, having spent the previous 12 years as a news journalist at CBS. Her contributions significantly transformed the modest food-centric network into one of the most cherished cable channels.

Finch stated, “I started at the Food Network when it was just starting out, and I’m incredibly proud to have played a part in transforming it into a dominant cable network. Additionally, I led the team that created some of HGTV and TLC’s most binge-worthy unscripted series. These shows made chefs and home renovators household names, and they kept pace with cultural trends by sharing authentic stories from real life.”

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2024-08-16 18:31

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