The Desk appreciates the support of readers who purchase products or services through links on our website. Learn more...

WBD studio executive to oversee cable networks

The Los Angeles bureau of CNN. (Photo by Matthew Keys for The Desk)
The Los Angeles bureau of CNN, one of several cable networks owned by Warner Bros Discovery. (Photo by Matthew Keys for The Desk)

The head of Warner Bros Discovery’s (WBD) television studio business is set to oversee the company’s cable TV networks in the coming months.

Channing Dungey, the Chairperson and CEO of Warner Bros Television Group, will incorporate oversight of cable networks like CNN, TBS, TNT, Tru TV, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel and TLC as part of her job duties when current U.S. networks head Kathleen Finch retires at the end of the year, the company affirmed on Friday.



The retirement has been in the works for months, the Wall Street Journal said, and was unrelated to a recent $9 billion write-down that WBD associated with its cable networks business. The charge was largely attributed to WBD losing telecast rights to NBA games to Amazon’s Prime Video and Comcast’s Peacock next year.

“Channing is an unparalleled creative executive who has shepherded countless award-winning hit shows,” David Zaslav, the CEO of WBD, said in a statement on Friday. “She has the ideal expertise and experience — as a content developer, platform programmer, and network executive — to lead the U.S. Networks.”



The shift comes at a time when WBD has pared down scripted original content for its cable networks in favor of live sports programming, reruns and lower-cost reality series. Live sports is considered appointment viewing television, the type of programming that is most-attractive to cable advertisers, while sitcom and drama repeats are relatively cheaper to acquire than developing original series.

Get stories like these in your inbox, plus free email alerts on breaking tech and media news.

Photo of author

About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys is a nationally-recognized, award-winning journalist who has covered the business of media, technology, radio and television for more than 11 years. He is the publisher of The Desk and contributes to Know Techie, Digital Content Next and StreamTV Insider. He previously worked for Thomson Reuters, the Walt Disney Company, McNaughton Newspapers and Tribune Broadcasting. Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn by clicking or tapping here.
Home » News » Industries » Television » WBD studio executive to oversee cable networks