Warner Bros. Discovery restructuring continues, with Kathleen Finch’s US Networks Group the latest division.
The reorganization will see a number of prominent former Discovery executives leave the company, including Nancy Daniels, who oversaw TNT, Channels like TBS, Discovery and Jane Latman, who has been overseeing Food Network and HGTV.
Finch announced the moves in a Friday morning memo.
“Over the past eight months, as a combined team, we have had a lot of attention to our combined business and organizational structure, as we move to a leaner operating model, we need to provide It becomes more obvious to make more adjustments going forward,” Finch wrote. “I am announcing a restructuring today that will ultimately enable our business to collaborate more effectively across all brands and business functions, while maintaining our strong content creation and strong storytelling culture. Unfortunately, the required changes This will include the elimination of a number of positions within our content team, as well as some longtime leaders who have been an important part of the company for many years.”
Also leaving in the reorganization is Matthew Butler, He has been overseeing the Travel Channel, along with Scott Luhrs, who has been on “D Nets and T Nets” (formerly Discovery and Turner cable channels).
Looking ahead, Finch said Betsy Sanner Ayala and Loren Ruch will oversee the Food Network and HGTV programming, respectively. Howard Lee will oversee D Nets content, including Discovery and Animal Planet, while Jason Sarlanis will add oversight of TBS, TNT and TruTV programming.
“While it is undoubtedly difficult to say goodbye to longtime colleagues and friends, our ongoing reorganization will ultimately allow our content teams to share resources and collaborate more across brands and genres , and maximize our ability to innovate and create during this dynamic time in the industry,” Finch said. “We intend to work quickly to put the new structure in place and effectively synchronize these groups, so we hope you Be patient as we make sure we do things in a thoughtful way.”
Warner Bros. Discovery has been in a state of restructuring since the deal closed earlier this year, and no division of the company has been spared .
CNN and HLN were hacked earlier this month , HLN effectively exited the live news business, And with its crime shows shifting under the identity umbrella. The Warner Bros. Television Group was attacked in October . All told, WBD says it expects to write down restructuring charges of up to $1.1 billion and expects thousands of employees to be laid off 2022.
The new layoffs further underscore how the cable industry has changed in recent years President or general manager is also considered one of the top jobs. Now, those roles are disappearing entirely, with more mid-career programming executives reporting to new centralized leadership to reduce costs and simplify decision-making.
Please read Finch’s full memo below.
December 9th, 2024
US Nets—
Over the past few months we have come together to form As a team, we have learned a lot about our business and about each other. Collaborating and finding new and improved ways to operate our incredible portfolio of brands has been invaluable. I am incredibly proud of how everyone has come together to ensure our collective success.
For the past eight months, as a With the combined teams, we have a better understanding of the combined business and organizational structure and it has become increasingly clear that we will need to make additional adjustments for the future as we develop a leaner operating model. I’m announcing a reorganization today that will ultimately enable our business to collaborate more effectively across all brands and business functions, while maintaining our strong content creation and strong storytelling culture. Unfortunately, the changes required will include the elimination of a number of positions on our content team as well as some longtime leaders who have been an important part of the company for many years.
Due to this restructuring, Jane Lutterman will step down as HGTV and Food Network’s Family and President of Food Content. Creative oversight of program content will be handed over to Head of Content Betsy Sana Ayala (food) and Lauren Rucci (for HGTV). Betsy and Loren are talented programmers who have worked successfully over the years as creative partners and lifestyle talent developers for both brands, directing numerous hit series and developing dozens of top talent. They will continue to create food and home related content that our fans love and will now report directly to me.
Thanks to Jane for her leadership, HGTV and Food Network are the best in the industry Two of the largest and most valuable brands. Under her leadership, HGTV has launched high-profile anchor series, as well as more franchises and fan favorites such as Home Town Takeover, Celebrity IOU and Rock the Block, as well as a series of newcomer hits such as America’s Best The triple threat of The Ugly House, Bobby from Married to Real Estate and Food Network. She has also overseen Discovery + Originals such as Trixie Motel and Kendra Sells Hollywood. We are very grateful for Jane’s extraordinary contributions over the past years, including her leadership in ID, Travel Channel and Destination U.S. We wish her all the best.
Also as part of the restructuring, Nancy Daniels, who recently contented D Overseer-Nets and T-Nets, will step down. Going forward, D-Net content – Discovery, Animal Planet and Science – will be provided by SupervisionHoward Lee, even though he retains TLC and Travel Channel’s content leadership. Content oversight for TNT/TBS/Tru will be moved to Jason Saranis , who oversees ID’s content, recently added HLN crime content to his remit. Jason is a skilled storyteller with a knack for creating hilarious pop culture moments.
Nancy is working for our company years, she initially oversaw TLC’s programming, including a successful launch and expansion 20 Day Fiance Franchise. Since 90, she has served as Chief Brand Officer at Discovery & Factual and most recently as Head of Content at T-Nets, Discovery , Animal Planet and Science Channel. In addition to leading successful series such as The Gold Rush, Street Outlaws, and the Emmy Award-winning Deadliest Catch, Nancy has spearheaded top-notch discoveries + originals including Naked & Scared Love and Off-the-Grid Love. She has also driven the growth and success of popular event shows such as Puppy Bowl and Shark Week. We are grateful for Nancy’s leadership, accomplishments and commitment, and wish her every success in her future endeavors.
Matthew Butler , who recently oversaw content on Travel Channel, is also leaving. During his long tenure with the network, Matt developed a formidable portfolio of paranormal content and expert talent. He helped develop Ghost Adventures into one of the most successful franchises on the Travel Channel and discovery+. Before joining Travel Channel, Matthew contributed to the success of other Discovery networks, including Destination America and AHC. Scott Lay Erles , in charge The mainstay programming who oversaw franchise franchise expansion and D-Nets/T-Nets is also leaving. Scott’s creative programming strategy has produced some major television events at Discovery over the years, many Emmy Award-winning, including Space Launch Live, Skywire Live with Nik Wallenda, and Space Jump LIVE. We thank Scott and Matt for their many contributions and wish them the best for the future.
While the long goodbye was undoubtedly tough- Colleagues and friends of the hour, our ongoing reorganization will ultimately allow our content teams to share resources, be more collaborative across brands and genres, and maximize our ability to innovate and create during this dynamic time in the industry. We intend to work quickly to put the new structure in place and effectively sync these groups, so please continue to be patient as we make sure we do things in a thoughtful way.
Thanks again Jane, Nancy, Matt and Scott Their passion, commitment and hard work — And being such an excellent colleague is also . Please join me in wishing them well in their new endeavors.
Over the years with Betsy, Howard, Jason and Loren Work with them knowing they are some of the best professionals in the business. We’re lucky to have such great creative leadership on our team, so please support each of them as they take on new responsibilities. Because of them and you, I’m on the and beyond.
– Catherine
1235247712
