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Discovery halts original programming on some WarnerMedia cable nets

Executives at Warner Bros Discovery have halted the development of original programming on TBS and TNT, according to people familiar with the matter.

The move is part of a broader cost-savings initiative at the company after Discovery’s blockbuster purchase of WarnerMedia from AT&T, which closed earlier this month.

David Zaslav, the company’s chief executive, has promised to slash capital investments at the combined firm by as much as $3 billion, and programming cuts at the WarnerMedia cable networks are part of the overall strategy.

Programs that are currently airing across the WarnerMedia networks with promised revivals will continue as planned, with upcoming seasons of “Miracle Workers” and “Chad” still on the schedule at comedy-heavy TBS. Likewise, “Snowpiercer” will continue on at drama-centric TNT.

Other shows, including “Animal Kindgom” and “The Last O.G.,” were scheduled to end on the WarnerMedia cable networks prior to Discovery’s merger with the company. Going forward, neither channel will produce new original programming.

On Tuesday, trade publication Variety said executives at Warner Bros Discovery are evaluating long-term strategies involving the WarnerMedia-operated cable networks. Variety first reported the company’s decision to halt the development of new original programming at the cable networks.

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About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys covers the business of broadcast and streaming TV, radio broadcasting, social media, technology and telecommunications. A journalist for over 15 years, Matthew previously worked at Thomson Reuters, KGO-TV in San Francisco, KTXL in Sacramento and McNaughton Newspapers. He received 9 California Journalism Awards between 2018 and 2020, and is a member of IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors).
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