Reilly shakes up TNT, TBS

Kevin Reilly, chief creative officer at Turner Entertainment, has installed new original programming teams at cablenets TBS and TNT and split the networks into separate units.

Reilly, who was named president of TBS and TNT in November last year, is targeting an “aggressive” original programming slate at both networks.

Sandra Dewey, executive VP and head of business affairs, has been promoted to the role of president, TNT and TBS productions and business affairs, giving her responsibility for the expanded in-house production arm supplying the two networks.

Meanwhile, TV and film producer Sarah Aubrey, who has previously worked on series such as Friday Night Lights, has been hired as executive VP of original programming for TNT.

Finally, Brett Weitz, Turner’s senior VP of development for TBS and TNT, has been promoted to executive VP of original programming for TBS. All three executives report to Reilly.

Reilly is planning a transformation of TBS, with a focus on making a new the channel “a destination for originals marked by a bold sensibility and a network that’s more digital and more socially driven.” He is targeting a younger, more dual-gendered audience.

The hire and promotions come after Turner CEO John Martin, who joined in January 2014, outlined plans last summer to streamline the business as part of his ‘Turner 2020’ initiative.

In October last year it was announced that Time Warner would be cutting Turner Broadcasting System’s global workforce by 10%, resulting in almost 1,500 job losses in 18 locations around the world.