TNT and TBS will have a new boss when former Fox entertainment chief Kevin Reilly takes over in a matter of days, a person with knowledge of the imminent deal told TheWrap Monday.
The expanded role, which was previously occupied by Michael Wright, is being merged with Steve Koonin’s open gig. The position will focus on those two large entertainment brands, but has broader oversight with the business, the person said.
Reilly will oversee all content development; business affairs and production; marketing, brand and creative services; digital platforms; and program scheduling, planning and content-monetization strategies, the person told TheWrap. He will explore and develop cross-platform opportunities; expand the division’s pipeline of leading content; and position and advantage Turner as the premier partner for creative providers of every genre.
Also read: Kevin Reilly, Turner Broadcasting Returned to Talks This Week
Reilly, who left Fox in June, will be based in Los Angeles, reporting to Turner Broadcasting president David Levy. Reilly’s old Fox job was effectively absorbed by Dana Walden and Gary Newman, when the duo combined the network and studio under one umbrella in July.
Also read: Turner CEO John Martin on Layoffs: ‘That’s Going to Yield Significant Savings’
Ongoing discussions for the Turner role, which had Reilly as a frontrunner, had stopped cold a few weeks ago. Both sides presumed the deal was dead — that is, until recently.
Further complicating the Turner scenario were the recent mass layoffs that the Time Warner company — which also houses cable news channels CNN and HLN — has been undergoing, which you can read about below:
HBO Job Cuts: 150 Staffers Will Be Laid Off This Week
CNN ‘New Day’ Executive Producer Matt Frucci Latest Layoff Casualty
CNN, HLN Layoffs Day 2: ‘Crossfire,’ ‘Unguarded’ With Rachel Nichols, and ‘Sanjay Gupta MD’ Canceled
CNN, HLN Layoffs: Jane Velez-Mitchell Out, Entertainment Unit Disbanded
CNN, HLN Staffers Among Turner Layoffs Hitting Atlanta