Turner poaches NBC exec, cable team grows

Turner Broadcasting System has poached an NBC drama executive to become a programming chief at TNT, as it sets its cable creative and production teams.

NBC VP, drama development Joey Chavez has joined The Last Ship channel TNT as senior VP, original programming, with Thom Hinkle promoted for the same role at sister network TBS.

Further changes see Robin Pelleck elevated to VP, digital content for TNT and TBS Original Programming and producer Meredith Zamsky drafted in to become VP, production for TNT.

The moves are the latest structural changes at Turner since it brought in former NBC and Fox programming chief Kevin Reilly as president of both channels and chief creative officer of the wider Turner Entertainment group.

They follow the appointment of Sarah Aubrey as executive VP, original programming for TNT, the promotion of Brett Weitz as EVP, original programming for TBS and naming of Sandra Dewey as president, TNT and TBS Productions and business affairs.

Of the new hires, Chavez will work on development of original TNT series among other duties, based out of LA. He will report to Aubrey and work alongside Sam Linksy, another SVP of original programming.

At NBC, Chavez was the primary development executive on ratings hit The Blacklist and also worked on shows such as Parenthood, Revolution and upcoming Jennifer Lopez procedural Shades of Blue.

“Joey has an impressive track record of developing high-quality, buzz-worthy dramas,” said Aubrey. “We look forward to him bringing those fresh voices and ideas to TNT’s development slate.”

He began his career at The WB and later worked at David Janollari Productions, The Style Network, E! Entertainment and Discovery Communications’s TLC.

TBS’s new original programming SVP, Hinkle, joined the channel in 2013. Also based in LA, he reports into Weitz. Before Turner, he was co-president of Carousel Television (Angie Tribeca, Wrecked), and VP of NorthSouth Productions. He also worked on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.