Update: The ongoing saga of Turner Classic Movies continues with more positive developments. After their emergency meeting with David Zaslav, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Paul Thomas Anderson will now take on an active creative role at TCM, working alongside Warner Bros. Film Group CEOs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy.
“We have already begun working on ideas with Mike and Pam, both true film enthusiasts who share a passion and reverence for classic cinema that is the hallmark of the TCM community,” Spielberg, Scorsese, and Anderson said in a statement to THR. “This unique arrangement, initiated by David Zaslav, reflects his commitment to honoring the TCM legacy while also involving us on curation and programming.” De Luca and Abdy added, “TCM is a cultural treasure, and we are honored to help steer the future direction of this beloved brand with the partnership of three of the most iconic filmmakers of our time.” I’m excited to see what the filmmaking trio can bring to TCM, and hopefully they can help keep the network afloat for a while longer.
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Update (June 23rd): Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Paul Thomas Anderson have released a statement following their meeting with Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav about the future of TCM, which seems to have gone well.
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
THR also reported today that Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy, Co-Chairpersons and CEOs of Warner Bros Film Group, will now oversee TCM, which was reportedly welcomed by Spielberg, Scorsese, and Anderson.
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Earlier this week, a number of executives at Turner Classic Movies were laid off, leading some to believe that the future of the network might be in doubt. Thankfully, TCM has some heavy hitters ready to go to bat for them, including Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Paul Thomas Anderson.
According to IndieWire, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Paul Thomas Anderson have scheduled an emergency call with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav to discuss the layoffs at TCM. Some of the people laid off from TCM include EVP and General Manager Pola Changnon, SVP of Programming and Content Strategy Charles Tabesh, VP of Brand Creative and Marketing Dexter Fedor, VP of Enterprises and Strategic Partnerships Genevieve McGillicuddy, and VP of Studio Production Anne Wilson. There were the people who were responsible for “everything from curating lineups, to shooting intros and outros, and for creating original shows, documentaries, and video essays that serve as major contributions to American cultural history.“
Turner Classic Movies is one of the few traditional networks where audiences can discover classic cinema, but the changing entertainment landscape has put TCM in danger. “I fear for the future of TCM,” director Martin Scorsese told the Los Angeles Times in 2021. “So does everyone else I know who loves movies.” Scorsese added that he regularly has TCM on in the editing suite. “It gives me something to turn to, to bounce off of, to rest in, to reinvigorate my thinking — just glancing at some image or combination of images at a certain moment,” he said. “It’s more like a presence in the room, a reminder of film history as a living, ongoing entity.“
David Zaslav has frequently said that he wants Warner Bros. to become a home for filmmakers, but his obsession with the bottom line comes into conflict with attracting those desiring creative freedom. You might second-guess signing a deal with a studio that shelves movies for a tax write-off.
Many credit TCM for introducing them to movies they didn’t even know existed. The curated programming and original documentaries help keep the era of classic cinema alive, so I can only hope that Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Paul Thomas Anderson are able to convince David Zaslav of the worth of TCM.