Atlanta-based Turner Entertainment, in the throes of unprecedented changes, lost its TNT/TBS/TCM programming chief Michael Wright Thursday. Deadline.com broke the story.
Wright, who is based in Los Angeles, is stepping down just as the company prepares for buyouts and layoffs.
The well-respected executive with strong creative chops came to Turner in 2002 and ran programming for TNT starting in 2004, adding TBS in 2005 and TCM in 2007. He helped in the rebranding of both TNT and TBS and revenues at both networks skyrocketed over the past decade.
TNT and TBS are the two biggest revenue generators among the Turner brands and are consistent top 5 performers in the basic cable landscape. Both are highly profitable operations. But the networks have seen ratings among younger viewers erode earlier this year and the entire cable universe has become unnerved by changes in viewing habits.
Wright is leaving on a high note when it comes to TNT. The network debuted some promising new shows this summer and finished No. 1 in primetime among cable networks. Both "The Last Ship" and "Legends" have performed well while mainstays "Major Crimes," "Falling Skies," and "Rizzoli & Isles" continue to pull in big numbers.
Unfortunately, the network lacks shows that bring in prestigious awards and/or big buzz. A few years ago, "Men of Certain Age" was well loved but not by enough people. "Mob City," the biggest recent effort to go in that "prestige" direction, fizzled last year. And after a strong start with "Dallas" in 2012, the rekindled drama has since lost steam after Larry Hagman died.
Recently, Wright changed the "We Know Drama" slogan to the more visceral "TNT. Drama. Boom."
TBS ("Very Funny") relies heavily on "Big Bang Theory" repeats and Conan O'Brien but its original comedic efforts have not broken out in any significant fashion. Its biggest original comedic effort has been the competition show "King of the Nerds," a lovely complement to "The Big Bang Theory."
Turner's sports properties, including the NBA and MLB, have paid dividends but the cost to air sports is only going to go up as the value of live programming increases.
Wright's departure follows that of the highly respected Steve Koonin, the president of Turner Entertainment and now CEO of the Atlanta Hawks. His position has not officially been replaced. And last year, Atlanta-based Turner CEO Phil Kent left in favor of New York-based John Martin, who is initiating the major restructuring of the entire division within Time Warner.
The Los Angeles Times said Wright applied for Koonin's job but his chances may have been diminished after Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes publicly expressed disappointment in TNT's programming, saying the network "didn't take enough creative risks."
Deadline.com said over the summer, Wright took himself out of the running for Koonin's job and is seeking new climes.
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