After it was announced that Warner Bros. Discovery fired several employees of Turner Classic Movies, including executive vice president and general manager Pola Chagnon and network programmer Charles Tabeshdirectors Steven Spielberg, Martin ScorseseAND Paul Thomas Anderson have joined forces to fight to save TMC as the studio is cutting budgets and changing content. Regarding the layoffs, one insider said:
“What it shows is a fundamental misunderstanding or willful ignorance of how TCM works. TCM is much more than film programming. We’re trying to present these films in a way that honors the filmmakers and contextualizes the moment they were made. It comes from us, not just from someone who was working on MILF Manor the day before.”
TCM is a network for movie fans and fans are concerned about the future of the network. Spielberg, Scorsese and Anderson had an emergency meeting with the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery David Zaslav on the matter and now the studio is reversing course.
THR reports that Warner Bros. Pictures is in charge Michael DeLuca AND Pamela Abdi will assume control of TCM and take over the division managed by Kathleen Finch, Chief Content Officer of WBD TV Networks. A Warner Bros. Discovery spokesperson said in a statement, “Part of this is creating a more sustainable structure behind the screen, which benefits from the vast resources and promotional engine of WBD’s network group, so that TCM is set for long-term success”.
There is more good news, though! It has been revealed that Tabesh will also be returning to the network and will also be able to bring back some of his sacked staff. Then there’s the fact that Spielberg, Scorsese, and Thomas Anderson will now have a hand in programming from here on out. They had this to say in a joint statement:
“We have already started working on ideas with Mike and Pam, both true film buffs who share the passion and respect for classic cinema that is the hallmark of the TCM community. This unique arrangement, initiated by David Zaslav, reflects his commitment to honoring the TCM legacy by also involving ourselves in curating and programming”.
A TMC veteran continued, “TCM does so much with so little. We were so little and managed to organize a cruise, a film festival, so many things. We are excellent stewards of money as well as films. We love this thing so much.
It’s good to see Warner Bros. sorting things out with TCM and that it will continue to live on properly.
by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
