One of our frequent sources of stories over the last year has been the happenings at Warner Bros. Discovery. Ever since the two companies merged under David Zaslav, things have been more than a little turbulent. We’ve seen “Batgirl” get shelved for a tax write-off, HBO original programming possibly getting licensed to other platforms, and TNT and TBS getting their original scripted programming all canceled. And it’s alongside TNT and TBS that concerns are now growing for TCM, Turner Classic Movies. While the channel doesn’t feature scripted programming, it has had some major layoffs, and at least three big Hollywood directors have cause for concern.
TCM debuted in 1994 as an avenue for broadcasting classic films from the vaults of Warner Bros. and MGM. Uniquely, despite being part of a general cable package, TCM airs films without commercials on a 24-hour basis. Therefore, films are not condensed or edited for time and largely stay true to the original essence of the original film. Additionally, because the channel airs movies that were from the golden age of cinema, it has developed a reputation for being a keeper of the spirit of Hollywood and the history of film as we know it today. But then came Zaslav, and then came the layoffs.
June 21st saw the departure of TCM general manager Pola Chagnon, lead programmer Charlie Tabesh, production executive Anne Wilson and more. This did not sit well with many people, especially the upper echelon of directions like Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Paul Thomas Anderson. The three took it upon themselves to reach out to Zaslav and express their concerns about what has happening at TCM and its potential future. In fact, the three of them issued a joint statement:
“Turner Classic Movies has always been more than just a channel,” the joint statement from Spielberg, Scorsese, and Anderson reads. “It is truly a precious resource of cinema, open 24 hours a day seven days a week. And while it has never been a financial juggernaut, it has always been a profitable endeavor since its inception.”
The filmmakers go on to state that while they had reached out to Zaslav, the Warner Bros. Discovery leader also reached out to them, speaking with them individually and together. The meeting apparently left the directors satisfied in terms of the channel’s direction, holding to the belief Zaslav is indeed someone for whom classic cinema is greatly important. These thoughts were echoed by Kathleen Finch, the chief content officer for Warner Bros. Discovery TV networks. Finch stated that they remain “fully committed” to the brand, but one could note that a statement like that does not actually say anything about the future of the channel itself.
What is known for the future of TCM is that the channel will be overseen by Michael Ouweleen, who is the current president of other networks under the corporate umbrella, including Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, and Boomerang. Ouweleen previously oversaw TCM before the merger of Warner Bros. and Discovery, so his presence there is a familiar one. How much that means if Zaslav decides to shake things up more is probably negligible; cable television is struggling mightily. The idea of a channel without ads seems like a preposterous idea to the moneymen so to say. We can only hope that the collective strength of Hollywood’s biggest names would be enough to keep Tuner Classic Movies around for as long as possible.
You can read the full statement below:
“Turner Classic Movies has always been more than just a channel. It is truly a precious resource of cinema, open 24 hours a day seven days a week. And while it has never been a financial juggernaut, it has always been a profitable endeavor since its inception.
Earlier this week, David Zaslav, the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, got in touch to talk about the restructuring of TCM. We understand the pressures and realities of a corporation as large as WBD, of which TCM is one moving part. We have each spent time talking to David, separately and together, and it’s clear that TCM and classic cinema are very important to him.
Our primary aim is to ensure that TCM’s programming is untouched and protected. We are heartened and encouraged by the conversations we’ve had thus far, and we are committed to working together to ensure the continuation of this cultural touchstone that we all treasure.”
