As a devoted fan of quality television and dynamic leadership, I can’t help but feel a mix of nostalgia and anticipation as I witness the transition at Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). Kathleen Finch, a 25-year veteran of the company, is set to retire, leaving behind a legacy that has shaped the landscape of cable television.
As a longtime media industry professional with extensive experience in television network management, I find it fascinating to see the shifting tides of leadership within major companies like Warner Bros. Discovery. Having spent much of my career navigating the complexities of the U.S. TV landscape, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial leadership can be in shaping a company’s success.
Presently, Dungey is functioning as the CEO for Warner Bros. TV Group, and will take on supervision duties of the networks upon Finch’s retirement at the end of the year.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s U.S. network division encompasses TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Discovery Channel, TruTV, Investigation Discovery, and several other channels. Finch, a long-time employee with 25 years of service at the company (with previous tenures at Discovery and Scripps), joined in 1999 as an executive for Food Network. In 2022, when Discovery merged with WarnerMedia to form Warner Bros. Discovery, she took on supervision of the Turner networks that were part of the merger.
Finch chatted with The Hollywood Reporter regarding her upcoming projects for TNT and TBS in the year 2022. These will encompass both scripted and sports programming.
“Kathleen is unrivaled in creating captivating content, attracting top talent, and building meaningful lifestyle brands, as we’ve seen in our work together at Discovery and the creation of Warner Bros. Discovery,” said David Zaslav, CEO of WBD, in a statement. “Though I understand her choice to retire, her absence will be felt, not just by me, but by the entire company, which has greatly benefited from her exceptional teamwork and unique insight into what our viewers desire.”
“Channing excels in her role as a remarkable creative leader, nurturing numerous critically acclaimed TV series. Her unique blend of skills, honed from years in content development, programming platforms, and network management, makes her exceptionally qualified to head up the U.S. Networks,” he emphasized.
For the past 25 years, it’s been a privilege to work at Scripps, Discovery, and now Warner Bros. Discovery. I started my career at a budding Food Network and feel immensely proud of helping it grow into a dominant force in cable television. After that, I had the opportunity to lead teams creating some of the most engaging unscripted series on HGTV and TLC, transforming chefs and home renovators into household names, and resonating with the cultural discourse by sharing real-life stories.
More to come.
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2024-08-16 17:24