The brand also plays a key role in global film preservation efforts.
TCMwon a Peabody Awardin 2008 for its “commitment to film preservation and restoration.”
Discovery’s continuing attempts to cut costs across the studio.
Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in 1943’s ‘Casablanca’.Photo Illustration: Chuck Kerr / Casblanca: Everett Collection; Film Strip: Tek Image
Reports in the press varied as to whether the meeting was called by Zaslav or by the filmmakers themselves.
A spokesperson for Warner Bros. Additionally, a handful of other unnamed staffers were offered their jobs back.
“At this point we are cautiously optimistic for the future of TCM.
Angie Dickinson in 1959’s ‘Rio Bravo’.Everett Collection
Since the Warner Bros.
Discovery merger went into effect in April 2022, TCM has been part of studio-wide cutbacks.
Reports that the staffwas cut from 90 to 20during this most recent round of layoffs aren’t exactly accurate.
Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Judy Garland, and Ray Bolger in 1939’s ‘The Wizard of Oz’.Everett Collection
TCM has always been a small but passionate team.
AT&T made its own cuts, killing streaming platform Filmstruck.
At the time of WBD’s takeover, the staff was hovering around 40 people.
TCM hosts in 2023.John Nowak / TCM
But why make these cuts at such a scale now?
But it has also always been a profitable endeavor.
“The profit margins are insane.”
Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh in 1939’s ‘Gone With the Wind’.Everett Collection
It is unclear whether leaving the programming budget alone was always the plan.
Tabesh’s return as Senior VP of programming reportedly included stipulations around resources and budget.
The source estimates that TCM’s returns are something like 70 percent.
“The changes to the Warner Bros. Di Piazza, Jr. in a prepared statementshared withVariety.
Meaning, Zaslav and other executives have personal financial incentive to make new cuts that will increase cash flow.
Internally, that has led to a general sense of ill-will toward management among TCM staff.
“We feel betrayed.”
But anybody who gives any measure of thought to it will probably come to that conclusion.
I don’t think [the former leadership team] would ever want it to be put that way.
They don’t want it to create a sense of survivor’s guilt.”
What now?
“But it’s a big deal for someone like him to change his mind.
The Jack Warners and Sumner Redstones of the world don’t change their minds, especially publicly.
He listened to people he should’ve listened to in the first place.”
“I don’t think Zaslav knew what to do.
Discovery is trying to fix something it rather carelessly broke.
“We were doing fine,” says the source.
Outros will return for primetime host Mankiewicz in September, with Karger and Malone to follow suit shortly after.
“The way we help restoration is by licensing films,” says a staffer.
We’re part of the restoration chain.”
Still, TCM has grown to be a brand far beyond its robust programming and restoration efforts.
Only two members of that staff remain.
“They don’t understand why we can’t be a Food web connection.
TCM is a different beast.
We have a different business model, and we have really good returns.”
Discovery networks] is we occasionally might share an editor.
The only other thing is that the word Turner is in our name.
That’s it.”
“We understand the vision, we understand our fans, we understand the value of classic movies.
Just let us do our jobs.
“They will continue to be great assets to us, maybe in a more prominent way.”
This throw in of synergy between old and new is familiar to TCM viewers.
Gerwig appeared on the connection back in 2019 to discussLittle Womenand its legacy.
But that has always been part of TCM’s DNA.
TheEssentialsco-hosts have included Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Ava DuVernay, and Drew Barrymore.
There’s never been a shortage of movers and shakers lining up to work with TCM.
“We thought we were, but sure.
Spielberg was on in April.
There was that whole roster of filmmakers on in April for the WB 100 programming.”
says the staffer, envisioning one possible new approach.
“Maybe doing more of it if possible.
It’s too early to say how we can do that.”
Frankly, my dear, you should give a damn…
While cultural literacy seems to diminish by the day, TCM is carrying the torch.
“We’re trying to present the films in a way that treats the audience as smart and intelligent.
We take very sober and reverential responsibility for these films, no matter what they are.
We know that by showing these films, somewhere on a television set, somebody is watching them.
Here’s looking at you, TCM.
Disclosure: Lenker previously contributed to TCM’s editorial content, writing two blog entries for them in 2015.
