Warner Bros. Discovery International Boss Gerhard Zeiler Sets New Leadership Team Following Spate Of Exits

‘Barbenheimer‘ was completely unexpected, but the studio behind Barbie gladly leaned in, said Dana Nussbaum, EVP of worldwide marketing for Warner Bros. Pictures, calling the unusual double-feature frenzy one of a few unforseen and welcome twists while rolling out the Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster.

The Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Max streamer will launch in 22 European countries in spring 2024 and France and Belgium later next year, the media outfit revealed today.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Warner Bros. Discovery will be launching its streaming service Max in France, one of its top European markets, next summer, Variety has learned. The launch in France will follow a rollout in Northern and Eastern Europe, which is expected to be unveiled by Gerhard Zeiler, president of international at Warner Bros.

Mipcom, change is in the air yet again on both sides of the Atlantic. In the U.S., the largest media conglomerates are all in rebuilding mode, even the mighty Disney.

When will the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike begin to affect 2024’s theatrical release calendar? Well, it won’t be this coming winter, as Deadline reports that Focus Features adds another new release to their distribution schedule. And as February releases go, a new film penned by Diablo Cody will surely do well in theaters then.  READ MORE: Diablo Cody To Write ‘Lisa Frankenstein’ Starring Cole Sprouse & Kathryn Newton “Lisa Frankenstein” is Cody’s first screenplay since 2018’s “Tully” and the directorial debut of Zelda Williams, daughter of the late, great Robin Williams.

This Morning was thrown into turmoil this week, when its main presenter Holly Willoughby unexpectedly quit after 14 years.The 42 year old star said she was living ITV's popular daytime TV show for the sake of "me and my family", following a year that saw her embroiled in a queue jumping drama to see the Queen lying in state, as well as the departure of her co-presenter and friend Phillip Schofield from the show, after he admitted to an "unwise but not illegal" affair with a much younger male colleague. It now looks as though This Morning could be heading for a major revamp in the new year, including a new set and possibly new presenters too.

Sky Studios Italia has unveiled a restructure and new leadership team on the final day of the MIA Market in Rome.

In the past few minutes, Warner Bros Discovery has set out plans for its new look international sales team following Robert Blair‘s exit.

EXCLUSIVE: The major U.S. studios heading to Mipcom are proving global streaming and third-party licensing “can co-exist and work together,” says the event’s director.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor As Major League Baseball‘s post-season continues, Warner Bros. Discovery wants to talk baseball or beisbol.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Ryadh-based media conglomerate SRMG has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to launch Asharq Discovery, a free-to-view pan-Arabic-language platform with a lineup that includes shows that have never been seen for free in Arabic before. These include international dating reality TV series “90 Day Fiancé” (pictured), reality shows “Gold Rush” and “Wheeler Dealers” and the Morgan Freeman-hosted science docs program “Through the Wormhole.” Warner Bros.

Clayton Davis Senior Awards Editor Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender.

This Amber Heard situation got uglier than anyone realized! And Elon Musk was in her corner the whole time escalating things!

Welcome to your Friday rundown, Insiders. Max Goldbart here to take you through the top international film and TV stories filling your inbox over the past seven days. And don’t forget to sign up to the newsletter here.

EXCLUSIVE: Scott Bakula will return to the New York stage this winter in an Off Broadway, world premiere production of the new musical The Connector, conceived and directed by Daisy Prince with music and lyrics by Tony winner Jason Robert Brown (Parade) and a book by Jonathan Marc Sherman.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Amid a widespread executive exodus, Warner Bros. Discovery’s international boss Gerhard Zeiler sent out a memo to the staff today laying out the company’s new global leadership structure. Following France boss Pierre Branco’s exit earlier this week, WBD has tapped Clément Schwebig to oversee France, Benelux, Afrique, Allemagne, Autriche and Suisse.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max ranked highest in total customer satisfaction among U.S. subscription-streaming services, according to Whip Media’s 2023 Streaming Satisfaction Report.

In another latest salvo amid tensions between video providers and programmers, DirecTV sent a letter to Warner Bros. Discovery warning that offering CNN as part of its streaming package risks violating the contract between the two companies.

Warner Bros. Discovery France boss Pierre Branco has become the latest international exec to depart.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Pierre Branco, general manager for Warner Bros. Discovery in France, Benelux and Africa, is stepping down from his position, Variety has learned.