There may be a light at the end of the tunnel forTurner Classic Movies (TCM). The beloved cable network for classic movies both well-known and obscurewas recently guttedwhen Warner Bros. Discovery’s latest round of layoffs impacted many of the tenured top executives who helped shepherd TCM to greatness. Following what seemed like a major loss for consumers and film archiving, three legendary directors have stepped in to offer their aid in righting the ship.Steven Spielberg,Martin Scorsese, andPaul Thomas Andersonhave joined forces with TCM in order to guide programming decisions and curation.
In addition, the three directors were quick to show concern for the network after news of the layoffs and,as IndieWire previously reported, got on an emergency call with WBD CEODavid Zaslavto talk things over about the future of TCM. The trio was heartened by the conversation and now, they’ll collaborate to give guidance on not just what classic films and programs the network should curate, but just about everything in between as well. It’s hard to argue for better shepherds to lead TCM forward consideringtheir eye-watering filmographythat includes monumental titles likeRaiders of the Lost Ark,Goodfellas, andThere Will Be Blood. Sources say their positions with TCM are purely voluntary.
Initially,Warner Bros. Pictures Group co-chairs and CEOsMichael de LucaandPamela Abdywere set to oversee programming for TCM. With Spielberg, Scorsese, and Anderson at the helm, however, they’ll step back and overseeCharles “Charlie” Tabesh, who’s currently the network’s lone remaining veteran who’ll hang on despite initially being included in the layoffs. De Luca and Abdy have positioned themselves as the filmmaker-friendly side of Warner Bros., as seen bytheir efforts to bring back Christopher Nolanand welcome in other visionaries likeBaz LuhrmannandMatt Reeves, and look to nurture the network back to its former glory after the cuts imposed by chief content officerKathleen Finch. That also means bringing back the TCM Classic Film Festival for another year.
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The Three Directors, de Luca, and Abdy Hailed the Partnership as a Crucial Step Forward
Both sides were ecstatic about the partnership. For Warner Bros., it’s an opportunity to further invest intheir relationship with filmmakerswho genuinely care about great cinema. A statement from a WBD representative admitted that TCMisn’t immune to economic pressures, but also affirmed that it’s a property the company still wants to protect and expand for the sake of cinema. “Part of this is the creation of a more sustainable structure behind the screen, one that benefits from the vast resources and promotional engine of WBD’s formidable networks group, so TCM is set up for long-term success,” the statement concluded.
Abdy and de Luca hailed the move as a major victory for TCM, especially when coupled with the content and programming spending increasing by a third over last year:
“TCM is a cultural treasure, and we are honored to help steer the future direction of this beloved brand with the partnership of three of the most iconic filmmakers of our time, Steven, Marty, and Paul. David Zaslav led the charge, driven by our shared love of storytelling, to bring us together for a project about which we are so passionate. Over the last year, we have meaningfully increased our content investment in TCM, and intend to further enhance TCM’s on-air programming and engagement with fans.”
The trio of directors, meanwhile, expressed their appreciation toward de Luca, Abdy, and even Zaslav for looking to honor the TCM legacy. They also hit on just how important the network is for archivingnot just cinematic titanslikeCasablanca, but lesser-known films that audiences can discover all over again:
“We have already begun working on ideas with Mike and Pam, both true film enthusiasts who share a passion and reverence for classic cinema that is the hallmark of the TCM community. This unique arrangement, initiated by David Zaslav, reflects his commitment to honoring the TCM legacy while also involving us on curation and programming. We are thrilled that longtime programmer Charlie Tabesh will be staying with TCM and gratified to know that the team is focused on preserving TCM’s mission of celebrating our rich movie history while at the same time ensuring that future generations of filmmakers and film lovers have TCM as a valuable resource.”
The future of TCM is hardly assured, but it seems like a step in the right direction with major filmmakers coming to the rescue. Stay tuned here at Collider for more on the future of the beloved cable network.
