AMC Networks Cuts 10% Of U.S. Workers In Streaming-Focused Reorganization

AMC is rebranding UMC, its streaming service devoted to Black television and film programming. Beginning in January, UMC will become ALLBLK as it ramps up production on a slate of new originals, including multi-cam comedy Millennials and legal drama Lace.

UMC, the AMC Networks-owned streaming service focused on Black TV and film, will rebrand as ALLBLK in January.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorUMC, the AMC Networks-owned streaming service focused exclusively on Black television and film that was created by BET founder Robert L. Johnson, will be rebranded Allblk in January 2021 with a new look and feel.Johnson’s RLJ Entertainment launched UMC (Urban Movie Channel) in November 2014.

EXCLUSIVE: A+E Networks International has closed a bunch of deals for its series and TV movies after participating in more than 300 meetings at this year’s virtual Mipcom.

A metaphorical bomb was dropped yesterday in the world of the film industry. Though the bomb was not a real explosive, there has already been significant real-world damage to theater chains such as AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, and more, as WarnerMedia announced plans to release its entire 2021 Warner Bros.

Regal owner Cineworld Group has reacted to Warner Bros.’ move to shift its entire 2021 slate of films for a simulataneous release on HBO Max and in U.S. theaters by looking beyond the pandemic to an eventual agreement with the Hollywood studios on windowing.

AMC Networks has realigned its UMC streaming service and WE tv network under a shared leadership team headed by Brett Dismuke.

EXCLUSIVE: Another step is being taken in Broadway’s efforts to confront its own systemic racism: Broadway & Beyond, founded by stage and production managers of Hadestown, Frozen and Aladdin, has scheduled its first event to encourage and support young or aspiring stage managers of color.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentViacomCBS International Studios is developing  a TV series depicting the life of groundbreaking Spanish fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga with British director James Kent (“Testament of Youth”) on board to direct and Spain’s Frida Torresblanco (“Pan’s Labyrinth,” “The Assassination of Richard Nixon”) to serve as executive producer.Balenciaga was born in 1895 in Getaria, a fishing village in northern Spain, and moved to Paris in 1937 where he made

AMC Networks investor relations head Seth Zaslow is stepping down at year end, the company said Wednesday, expanding the role of Nicholas Seibert to VP, Corporate Development and Investor Relations.

November turned out to be a huge month for the cable news networks, as all three major outlets touted ratings milestones with the boost from Election Day and its aftermath.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterTo say that 2020 requires a certain fortitude of the spirit, an ability to roll with the punches, is perhaps an understatement.Amid the backdrop of the pandemic and the ongoing, years-long digestion of several mega-mergers, from Disney-Fox to ViacomCBS to AT&T’s WarnerMedia, pretty much every legacy entertainment house in town is in the process of maneuvering a massive ship-turning effort to better point their armadas in the direction of streaming.This digital-first

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

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterAs Disney continues to shuffle the corporate pieces in a bid to streamline its operations, Disney’s networks division head Debra O’Connell fleshed out the group’s organizational structures to staffers in an internal memo Tuesday afternoon, Variety has confirmed.Those changes include naming Sean Cocchia — most recently executive vice president of business operations and general manager of Disney Channels — to lead business operations for Disney, National Geographic

EXCLUSIVE: A month after Debra O’Connell was promoted to head of Disney’s Networks Group, she has restructured the division, giving additional responsibilities to two industry veterans from the two sides of the Disney-Fox merger.

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.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterAmid the ongoing NBCUniversal restructuring, additional layoffs are being enacted across the television and streaming division’s entertainment networks business.

Erik Pedersen Managing EditorTenemos los ganadores in Spanish-language programming for this year’s Daytime, Sports and News and Documentary Emmy Awards.