Reilly to ‘transform’ TBS, TNT with new team

Turner Entertainment boss Kevin Reilly has set out his senior team at the TBS and TNT US cable channels in his first major move since joining Turner last November.

Outlining the new structure, the Turner chief said the changes were the first steps in transforming the basic cable channels and “doubling down on original programming”.

Reilly, the former chief of the Fox broadcast net, will split the channels’ programming team into two units. He has brought in producer Sarah Aubrey as executive VP of original programming at TNT. Meanwhile, Brett Weitz has been upped and taken the same role at TBS.

Turner said that Reilly’s strategy for TNT is to ‘sharpen the brand with a distinct slate of new programming aimed at a younger, more dual-gendered audience’.

Aubrey will oversee original programming designed to deliver on that promise. She cofounded US indie Film 44 and her credits include Friday Night Lights and The Leftovers as well as features including Bad Santa.

At TBS, Turner said Reilly is planning a transformation of the brand “with a focus on making a new TBS that’s a destination for originals marked by a bold sensibility and a network that’s more digital and more socially driven”.

Weitz will oversee that effort and is upped from senior VP of development for TBS and TNT. His credits, since joining Turner in 2009 from Fox prodco fox21, include Rizzoli & Isles and Falling Skies.

Under the new structure, Sandra Dewey is promoted to president, TNT and TBS Productions and business affairs and will be responsible for running the expanded in-house production arm supplying TNT and TBS.

Aubrey, Weitz and Dewey all report directly to Reilly.

“Over the next couple of years, we will continue to sharpen and evolve our brands by doubling down on original programming and being tenacious about our networks’ value proposition,” said Reilly, who joined Turner in November last year.

“These leadership appointments are the important first step in that direction,” he added. “With Sandra overseeing business affairs and our growing slate of in-house productions, Sarah joining us to make TNT originals even more distinct and valuable and Brett focusing on both growing and further defining TBS originals, we have a great team of stewards to shepherd this transformation.”