According to a report by Deadline, Brett Weitz, is leaving his position as General Manager of TNT, TBS and truTV.
The report notes Weitz will be transitioning out of his role in the next 30 days, with his last day marking his 14th anniversary at TNets, and that his departure comes just weeks after the Discovery-WarnerMedia merger was completed. It was further noted Weitz’s position has been eliminated following the restructure of the U.S. Networks Group Division under Discovery’s Kathleen Finch who added TNets to her portfolio.
Weitz was an advocate of AEW. He even called the Dynamite an ‘over-performer’ for the network ahead of their move to TBS, this past January.
The report also notes that Weitz is a well liked veteran TV executive. He was named General Manager Of TNT, TBS, and truTV back in October 2019. He was responsible for helping TNT and TBS to maintain their positions as as the #1 and #2 networks in prime among all cable entertainment networks, and truTV among the youngest and most affluent.
The report further states that some of Weitz’s recent accomplishments include the development and launch of scripted hits Snowpiercer, and Chad; the 300th episode of American Dad, Wipeout and of course AEW Dynamite and Rampage.
TNT and TBS have started to pull away from original scripted programming shortly after the merger was completed, with the new leadership of Warner Bros. Discovery making their first major cost-cutting moves by dramatically changing their programming makeup. The brand New comedy series Kill the Orange-Faced Bear starring Damon Wayans Jr. was cut a week before it was to start production. Obliterated, a new series from the creators of the hit series Cobra Kai, which had been ordered by TBS, recently moved to Netflix. Additionally, TNT and TBS just dropped the SAG Awards from the network after more than two decades.
The report concluded by stating that WarnerMedia’s linear basic cable networks had been identified as prime cost-cutting targets for Warner Bros. Discovery, with more departures and layoffs expected.