Warner Bros.’ Channing Dungey sets up the US Networks team as she takes over
As she prepares to enter America’s Warner Bros. Discovery Networks to its oversight in January, Warner Bros. Chairman/CEO Channing Dungey said. Television Group, finalizing the division’s new executive structure. That includes expanding the duties of her top lieutenant at Warner Bros. TV Group, Brett Paul, who will now also serve as Chief Operating Officer for US networks.
These networks include HGTV, Discovery, TBS, Food Network, TNT, Investigation Discovery (ID), TLC, Animal Planet, Cooking Channel, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim and TruTV, all of which will now fall under Dungey as Chairman/Chairman of WBD US Networks. CEO Kathleen Finch will leave at the end of this year.
Like Dungey, Paul will now handle duties across both the studio and network divisions, meaning he will leave his current role as president of Warner Bros. TV Group retains, while assuming new oversight of the networks. Paul will continue to report to Dungey, and in addition to his current duties at the studio, will now lead business affairs and digital strategy for the networks, while assisting Dungey with its plans for the channels.
Dungey has also promoted former Discovery Networks exec Howard Lee to chief creative officer of U.S. networks; he will also continue in his current role as president and head of content for TLC and Discovery. Reporting to Dungey, Lee focuses on content strategy across WBD’s linear networks, on streaming service Max, and through global licensing and partnerships.
Among other appointments at U.S. networks: Susan Kolar has been named Chief Financial and Strategy Officer for U.S. Networks and will continue to report to WBD Chief Financial Officer Gunnar Wiedenfels. And Karen Bronzo will continue as Chief Global Marketing Officer for U.S. Networks and News, reporting jointly to Dungey and CNN Worldwide Chief Operating Officer David Leavy.
“Building on the foundation Kathleen has laid, I am excited to announce US Networks’ core leadership team who will drive a new creative vision and distribution plan that best serves our audience, our partners and our company,” Dungey said in a statement. “This powerful group will work to redefine the role of America’s networks by strengthening our linear business while continuing to build a content engine that fuels Max and creates shows that smartly leverage our unrivaled IP and promote.”
Dungey takes over just as Warner Bros. Discovery announced plans to split into two separate operating divisions, one for the linear TV networks and another focused on production studios and streaming platforms. Despite the separation between studios and networks, Dungey will have a toe in both divisions, as she oversees both the company’s studio operations and the TV networks – and now Paul will be in both worlds as well.
