Kevin Reilly Realigns Content Acquisitions Team Under Michael Quigley HBO Max
TBS
TNT
truTV
Jonathan Melber and Royce Battleman to serve as SVPs, Content Acquisition
LOS ANGELES, CA - Feb. 21, 2020 - Kevin Reilly, Chief Content Officer, HBO Max and President, TNT, TBS, & truTV, announced today that WarnerMedia Entertainment will integrate the content acquisitions team across the company's entire portfolio of entertainment networks and direct-to-consumer business under Michael Quigley, EVP, Content Acquisitions. As part of the Content Acquisitions organizational structure, Jonathan Melber will serve as SVP, Content Acquisition for HBO Max, and Royce Battleman will serve as SVP, Content Acquisition primarily responsible for HBO, Cinemax, TNT, TBS and truTV.
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 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.
As part of Quigley's team structure, Jonathan Melber has been elevated to Senior Vice President, Content Acquisition for HBO Max, responsible for leading content acquisition for HBO Max, including film and television licensing from third parties and WarnerMedia brands.
Since joining the HBO Max team a year ago, Melber has managed the acquisitions ofFriends, South Park and Doctor Who, as well as The CW output deal and the first-ever streaming deal with legendary animation house Studio Ghibli. Before HBO Max, Melber ran outbound licensing for the Turner networks (Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, CNN, HLN, TBS, TNT and truTV). Previously, Melber spent several years on Hulu's content acquisition team, which he joined shortly after Hulu launched its subscription tier.
Royce Battleman will serve as Senior Vice President, Content Acquisition, overseeing content acquisition for the WarnerMedia Entertainment networks (HBO, Cinemax, TNT, TBS and truTV), including Pay 1 film deals for HBO and Cinemax; off-net series acquisitions for the basic-cable networks; and film library, international and other specialty acquisitions across all networks. Most recently, Battleman has served as an advisor to the HBO Now and HBO Max product and distribution teams.
Battleman began in Business Affairs at HBO, where she played an instrumental role in negotiating the network's modern major studio agreements and supported the rollout of HBO's worldwide licensing businesses, including the network's earliest international output deals, its domestic syndication deals for hit shows such as The Sopranos and Sex and the City, and the international expansion of HBO's home entertainment transactional business.
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.
Both Battleman and Melber report to Quigley, who is ultimately responsible for all WarnerMedia Entertainment content-acquisition efforts.
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 executiveLiz Bannan Atcheson, from Turner, will continue her work on acquisitions for HBO Max, reporting to Melber.
About WarnerMedia
WarnerMedia is a leading media and entertainment company that creates and distributes premium and popular content from a diverse array of talented storytellers and journalists to global audiences through its consumer brands including: HBO, HBO Now, HBO Max, Warner Bros., TNT, TBS, truTV, CNN, DC, New Line, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies and others. WarnerMedia is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T).
HBO Max is WarnerMedia's direct-to-consumer offering debuting in spring 2020. With 10,000 hours of curated premium content anticipated at launch, HBO Max will offer powerhouse programming for everyone in the home, bringing together HBO, a robust slate of new original series, key third-party licensed programs and movies, and fan favorites from Warner Media's rich library including Warner Bros., New Line, DC, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Crunchyroll, Rooster Teeth, Looney Tunes and more. Sign up for updates at HBOMax.com.
CONTACTS
Kevin Brockman
818-559-7946
kevin.brockman@warnermediagroup.com
Jori Arancio
818-729-7336
jori.arancio@turner.com
Alexandra Le Tellier
818-559-7997
alexandra.letellier@turner.com
