AMC Networks CEO Talks Streaming Upside, Consolidation

AMC Networks has appointed Aisha Thomas-Petit as the company’s first Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer.

Will Thorne Staff WriterAMC Networks has appointed its first ever chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer.The company has hired Aisha Thomas-Petit in the new role, which will see her look to build on the AMC’s current diveristy, equity and inclusion foundation.Thomas-Petit will play an integral role in developing and retaining a diverse and inclusive community of talent within the company’s workforce, as well as behind the camera and on-screen.“Diversity, equity and inclusion are more

EXCLUSIVE: While President-elect Joe Biden has yet to announce his pick for CIA director, an array of names has been highlighted, and among them is Darrell M. Blocker -- one of the highest-serving persons of color to have served in the clandestine service, Fox News has learned.

That wasn’t your friend, buddy.

Nellie Andreeva Co-Editor-in-Chief, TVEXCLUSIVE: NBC is developing Finding Forrester, a drama series based on the 2000 Gus Van Sant movie, which starred the late Sean Connery.

Marta Balaga Cinematographer Frederick Elmes, who was named as the winner of EnergaCamerimage Film Festival’s First Look – TV Pilots Competition on Saturday for his work on the Amazon series “Hunters,” spoke about the show’s first episode “In the Belly of the Whale” during an online Q&A earlier this week.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeBunim-Murray Prods. chairman/CEO Gil Goldschein is leaving after a 20-year run at the pioneering unscripted production company.

Ellise Shafer editorFollowing Warner Bros.’ announcement that “Wonder Woman 1984” will release both on HBO Max and in theaters Christmas Day, AMC Entertainment CEO and President Adam Aron has stated that the chain is “fully onboard” with the release plan.“For many months, AMC has been in active and deep dialogue with Warner Brothers to figure out how best this cinematic blockbuster could be seen at AMC Theatres in these unprecedented times,” Aron wrote in a statement obtained by Variety.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterAMC Networks is laying off around 100 staffers, or 10% of its domestic employee base, according to a person familiar with the matter.The personnel reduction comes in the wake of a strategic evaluation that has turned the spotlight to the network’s biggest growth drivers — primarily, its streaming efforts.

Also Read: AMC Networks COO Defends High AMC+ Price Point: 'It's the Comic-Con Crowd'AMC’s national networks include AMC, WE tv, BBC America, IFC, SundanceTV and AMC Studios. Internationally, its subscriber-video-on-demand services include Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now and UMC.When AMC Networks released its third-quarter earnings results earlier this month, Sapan put a strong focus on streaming, saying that SVOD subscribers are projected to top 4 million by the end of the year.

Dade Hayes Finance EditorEXCLUSIVE: AMC Networks is letting go 10% of its U.S. workforce, eliminating nearly 100 positions in a reorganization designed to streamline the company’s linear and streaming operations.CEO Josh Sapan announced the cuts during a virtual town hall meeting earlier today, company insiders tell Deadline.

The moment Disney started making live-action remakes of its classic animated movies, it instantly became inevitable that they would one day remake “Lilo & Stitch.” We knew we would one day have to witness the horror of a photorealistic Stitch interacting with actual humans, and it seems like not even a pandemic could stop the house of mouse. Turns out, not only is the “Lilo & Stitch” remake very much alive and in development, but Jon M.

Justin Kroll Senior Film ReporterCrazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu is in talks to direct Disney’s Live-action adaptation of its hit 2002 animated movie Lilo & Stitch Deadline has confirmed.Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback are producing.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterThe “Lilo & Stitch” ohana is expanding, with Jon M. Chu in talks to direct Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation.Disney has yet to announce if the movie will release in theaters or on Disney Plus, the studio’s subscription streaming service.

Also Read: Jon Chu to Direct 'Willow' Sequel Series at Disney+“Lilo & Stitch” focused on the bond between a lonely human girl named Lilo and an alien named Stitch. Whether the live-action adaptation will be released in theaters or on Disney+ is currently unclear.Chu most recently became attached to Disney’s “Willow” series.

Dade Hayes Finance EditorA number of Wall Street analysts have increased their price targets for Disney’s stock after the media giant reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings and outlined its streaming-focused future.The company’s buoyant stock price continues to reflect a striking sense of optimism given the sobering realities of COVID-19, which continues to hamper theme parks, theatrical moviegoing and live sports. At mid-day Friday, shares had added about 2% to approach $138.

This is not a test, people. We have a Michael Bay alert! Make sure to say a prayer for the cars that are going to explode, the big guns that will be fired, the muscles that will need to be oiled up, and the cinematographer that will have to do so, so, so many slow-motion hero shots.

WarnerMedia layoffs are underway, CEO Jason Kilar revealed to employees in an email on Tuesday. TheWrap has obtained that internal memo.Kilar is holding a town hall meeting tomorrow to discuss the reorg with staff.“Today, we have arrived at a number of difficult decisions that are resulting in a smaller WarnerMedia team,” he wrote.

Judge Judy Sheindlin is on her way to Amazon’s IMDb TV streaming service.