There has been concern for the future of Turner Classic Movies (TCM) following restructuring at Warner Bros Discovery. To address these concerns, CEO David Zaslav has appointed Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy, the Co-Chairpersons and CEOs of Warner Bros Film Group, to oversee the channel.
New Oversight
While Warner Bros has always been committed to TCM, the move to put the channel under the supervision of De Luca and Abdy makes sense. The duo are known cinephiles and filmmaker-friendly. However, it should be noted that overseeing TCM will not be their full-time pursuit.
The duo takes over from Michael Ouweleen, who is currently the President of Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Discovery Family, and Boomerang.
Layoffs at Warner Bros
The appointment of De Luca and Abdy comes after a series of layoffs at Warner Bros that affected TCM’s EVP and General Manager Pola Changnon, SVP of Programming and Content Strategy Charles Tabesh, VP of Brand Creative and Marketing Dexter Fedor, VP of Enterprises and Strategic Partnerships Genevieve McGillicuddy, and VP of Studio Production Anne Wilson.
These layoffs led to speculation that TCM itself might be shuttered, prompting prominent filmmakers and staunch film preservationists Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Paul Thomas Anderson to take an emergency call with Zaslav on Wednesday.
Commitment to TCM
In a statement obtained by Deadline, the trio said that TCM is more than just a channel and is a precious resource of cinema that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. While TCM has never been a financial juggernaut, it has always been a profitable endeavor since its inception.
Zaslav’s primary aim is to ensure that TCM’s programming is untouched and protected. The filmmakers are heartened and encouraged by the conversations they’ve had so far and are committed to working together to ensure the continuation of this cultural touchstone that they all treasure.
De Luca and Abdy
De Luca and Abdy are among the most respected executives in the industry. They were previously at MGM, where they served as Motion Picture Group Chairman and President, respectively. In February, they were honored for their body of work with the PGA’s Milestone Award.
The Hollywood Reporter was the first to break the news about TCM’s new oversight.
Overall, the appointment of De Luca and Abdy as the overseers of TCM is a positive move for the channel and film enthusiasts. It ensures that TCM’s programming will remain untouched and protected while also benefiting from the expertise of De Luca and Abdy.