Warner Bros names TV presidents

Warner Bros in the US has appointed two of its studio executives to head up its scripted TV division.

Susan Rovner

Susan Rovner and Brett Paul have been named co-presidents at Warner Bros Television (WBTV), having been promoted to their most recent roles as exec VPs at the studio’s Warner Horizon Scripted Television (WHSTV) arm in 2014.

They will retain oversight of Warner Horizon in addition to Warner Bros TV, working across all scripted TV programming developed and produced by the studio.

Rover and Paul’s slate includes more than 60 originals such as Arrow, Shameless and Little Voice, with shows being produced for companies including Apple, Hulu, Epix, National Geographic, Netflix and Syfy. Both execs report to Peter Roth, Warner Bros Television Group president and chief content officer.

Rovner will oversee creative affairs at WBTV and WHSTV. She also heads up comedy and drama development at WBTV, where she will now lead current programming, and retains her remit across WHSTV’s programming staff.

Brett Paul

Paul’s responsibilities include laying out each division’s strategy, overseeing physical production and business affairs, and working across legal and contractual deals with talent.

Roth said Rovner had been “instrumental in creating an environment that allows these generational talents to flourish.”

He added that Paul had been “instrumental to ensuring that Warner Bros is well positioned for sustained growth and success over the next 20 years, during a time of great opportunity in our industry.”

Roth is one of three execs tasked with running the studio in the interim following the resignation of CEO Kevin Tsujihara in March.

John Stankey, CEO of WarnerMedia, has also appointed Kim Williams and Toby Emmerich to lead the studio until a new chairman and CEO is named. Roth is president and chief content officer of Warner Bros Television Group, Williams is executive VP and chief financial officer at Warner Bros Entertainment and Emmerich is chairman of Warner Bros Pictures Group.

Tsujihara left the job he had held for six years following allegations of misconduct, which he has denied. Shortly prior to that, the former CEO had been confirmed as continuing head of the film studio amid a major reorganisation following AT&T’s takeover of parent firm Time Warner.