WarnerMedia combines HBO Max & Adult Swim development teams

Rick And Morty

WarnerMedia is merging the development teams for its streamer HBO Max and US cable network Adult Swim into one division.

The combined unit will be led by Suzanna Makkos, who had led comedy and animation for the streamer.

She now takes the role of EVP of original comedy & animation for HBO Max and Adult Swim, reporting into the SVOD’s head of original content Sarah Aubrey as well as Adult Swim topper Michael Ouweleen.

Suzanna Makkos

Walter Newman, who had led Adult Swim’s development team, now reports into Makkos.

Adult animation has become a hot genre over the past 12 months, with Disney recently launching a dedicated unit led by Marci Proietto.

HBO Max has also upped its offering and is prepping a spin-off from Scooby-Doo named Velma, as well as Clone High and Fired On Mars. Adult Swim shows such as Rick And Morty are also available on the streamer.

Aubrey said: “The adult animation boom is just starting, and by aligning our strengths and organising as one, unified, best-in-class development team we are creating an unmatched, multi-platform destination for both creators and fans.

“Adult Swim has created an iconoclastic adult animation brand, and that identity will not only be preserved, it will now be further fuelled by HBO Max and Suzanna’s talented development leadership.”