This week, Warner Bros. Discovery carried out another round of layoffs, this time targeting those in the cable-TV network segment of its enterprise.These included networks like the Discovery Channel and TLC, as well as Turner Classic Movies, with staff reductions and new leadership at the once-famous channel.To allay any fears about the direction of TCM, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav had talks with major directors Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Paul Thomas Anderson.
This week, Warner Bros. Discovery endured another round of layoffs, primarily focused on the cable-TV network side of the company. This included the Discovery Channel, Investigation Discovery and the Food Network, and also the Turner Classic Movie channel. This caused widespread concern amongst cinema lovers and advocates for film preservation, as TCM is seen as a hub for classic films and a carefully chosen selection of documentaries and international films. It is also part of the suite of films and programs on Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming app Max.Thus, in an act of reassurance to combat worries, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav reached out to renowned filmmakers Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Paul Thomas Anderson about the changes at TCM, taking the time to talk with each of them individually and as a group. The trio then released a statement expressing their hope that TCM would remain a valuable resource of cinema. According to them, Zaslav made it clear that the preservation of classic films is important to him, and that their primary goal is to ensure that nothing about TCM's programming would be altered under the new leadership.At the TCM Classic Film Festival in April, Spielberg and Anderson had a discussion about movie preservation efforts with Zaslav on stage. Warner Bros. Discovery spokesperson declined to add more than the filmmakers' statement.The 2022 union of Warner Bros. and Discovery made it the largest holder of cable-TV networks at a time when many consumers were heading towards streaming services due to substantial cord cutting. Additionally, major streaming providers such as Netflix began to observe a plateau in subscribers and were now focusing more on profitability.The merger brought with it a heavy debt load and the company is currently exploring methods to reduce costs. This has involved job dismissal of thousands of staff and reducing investment in content. The service was rebranded recently as Max, which houses material from the cable-TV networks including TCM. Both Spielberg, Anderson and Scorsese stated that they are inspired by the dialogue they have had and are committed to safeguarding the cultural value of classic films.
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