WarnerMedia has filled out the executive team for its upcoming HBO Max streaming service, scheduled to launch next year.
The team will work under Sarah Aubrey, who was named head of originals in January; and Kevin Reilly serves as chief content officer for HBO Max and president of cable networks TNT, TBS and truTV.
Joey Chavez is joining the group as executive vice president of original drama; Jessie Henderson as executive vice president of original feature films; Jennifer Kim as senior vice president of international originals; Suzanna Makkos as executive vice president of original comedy and animation, and Jennifer O’Connell as executive vice president of original non-fiction and kids.
HBO Max will offer programming from the full WarnerMedia portfolio, including HBO, Warner Bros, New Line, DC Entertainment, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, The CW, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Crunchyroll, Rooster Teeth and Looney Tunes. It will also have the rights to classic sitcom Friends when it launches, which means the show’s tenure will end on Netflix.
It will also feature originals, such as a sequel to former CW series “Gossip Girl.”
“HBO Max is committed to delivering IP of the highest quality by closely collaborating with top talent to bring their ideas to life, and then strategically managing that content to build and sustain lasting cultural impact and value,” said Reilly. “I’m honoured to work with this accomplished team of executives who have amassed an arsenal of our industry’s most prestigious awards, are innovative thinkers, and trusted partners in which the creative community can put their faith every single day.”
HBO also named Eric Besner as senior vice president of business development and strategy; Sandra Dewey as president of business operations and production; Meredith Gertier as executive vice president of program strategy and planning; and Michael Quigley is executive vice president of content acquisitions and strategy.