WarnerMedia Realigns Content Acquisition Teams Into Two Groups
WarnerMedia is putting its content acquisition teams into two groups: One for HBO Max and the other for the company’s entertainment networks like HBO and Turner.
Jonathan Melber will be promoted to senior vice president of content acquisition for HBO Max, while Royce Battleman will hold the same title, focusing primarily on HBO, Cinemax, TNT, TBS and truTV. Both will report to Michael Quigley, executive vice president of content acquisitions for WarnerMedia.
“Michael and his team have the breadth and depth of experience required in today’s competitive marketplace to both land defining content and rewrite our rules for how content will move through all exhibition windows going forward,” said HBO Max chief content officer Kevin Reilly. “Because of their hard work, HBO Max will feature iconic hits like ‘Friends,’ ‘South Park’ and ‘Doctor Who’ and our networks will continue to have hit series like ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ as well as many of the most coveted major studio blockbusters, such as ‘Joker’ and ‘Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.'”
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Since joining the HBO Max team a year ago, Melber has managed the acquisitions of “Friends,” “South Park” and “Doctor Who,” as well as The CW output deal and the first-ever streaming deal with animation house Studio Ghibli. Before HBO Max, Melber ran outbound licensing for the Turner networks.
Battleman began in Business Affairs at HBO, where she helped to negotiate the network’s modern major studio agreements and supported the rollout of HBO’s worldwide licensing businesses. Most recently, Battleman has served as an advisor to the HBO Now and HBO Max product and distribution teams.
“Jonathan has played a fundamental role in securing iconic titles for HBO Max and his handling of some of the company’s most high-profile acquisitions has positioned the streaming platform for nothing short of success,” said Quigley. “And Royce’s expertise and proven track record will bring quality, engaging new entertainment for viewers across WarnerMedia Entertainment’s networks.”
Rounding out the content acquisitions team are veteran Turner executive Valerie Meraz, who will report to Battleman, along with Chris Grunden and Leslie Cohen, who will add film acquisitions for HBO Max to their current HBO responsibilities. Acquisitions executive Liz Bannan Atcheson, from Turner, will continue her work on acquisitions for HBO Max, reporting to Melber.
Read original story WarnerMedia Realigns Content Acquisition Teams Into Two Groups At TheWrap
