Warner Bros. Discovery ANZ boss Glen Kyne steps down alongside Newshub closure

Glen Kyne

Glen Kyne is stepping down as SVP and head of networks at Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) ANZ, with Juliet Peterson appointed to take over some of his remit.

Kyne will exit WBD on 5 July, having recently overseen the closure of New Zealand news service Newshub, which will shutter on the same day, impacting around 200 staff.

Peterson, currently senior director of content and BVOD, will now lead step up as VP & head of networks, ANZ, reporting to James Gibbons, WBD’s president of Asia Pacific. She takes on the role with immediate effect.

Michael Brooks will meanwhile continue in his dual role as MD of Warner Bros. International TV Production Australia, reporting to Ronald Goes, head of studios, ANZ, who also reports to Gibbons.

“It has been 10 years now working at Flower St under different ownership structures but my love for our business, our people, and our industry has never been stronger,” commented Kyne.

“Being a part of Discovery and subsequently Warner Bros Discovery, I was lucky enough to build a true global lens across our ANZ operations, and I’ve been honoured to have had many wonderful experiences here that I will never forget.”

Referencing the Newshub closure, Kyne said: “It goes without saying that it’s been a particularly challenging year for our teams, but the grace and professionalism with which they’ve carried themselves is a true indication of the people and culture here.”

The move is part of an attempt by WBD to shift its operations in NZ to a “digitally led business”, with streamer ThreeNow at the centre “supported by free-to-air linear channels.”

Gibbons said that Kyne had done “an incredible job of navigating industry disruption” and added: “He has been a popular and calming leader; his leadership of the organisation through its recent restructure put empathy and kindness at the forefront, two attributes that everyone who has worked with Glen knows he has in spades.”