or


[04/24/07 - 11:40 PM]
Michael Wright Named Senior Vice President of Tnt, TBS and Tcm's Newly Reorganized and Renamed Content Creation Group
In his expanded role, Wright will continue to be responsible for all original programming for TBS and TNT, including original series, limited series and specials, while also adding responsibility for original programming ventures on TCM and original content for all three networks' digital extensions.

[via press release from TNT]

Michael Wright Named Senior Vice President of TNT, TBS and TCM's Newly Reorganized and Renamed Content Creation Group

Original Programming for Linear Networks and Digital Extensions Now Consolidated under Executive Heralded for Dynamic Creative Partnerships

Michael Wright, who has headed up original programming for TNT since 2004 and TBS since 2005, has been named senior vice president of the newly reorganized and renamed Content Creation Group, according to an announcement by Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks. In his expanded role, Wright will continue to be responsible for all original programming for TBS and TNT, including original series, limited series and specials, while also adding responsibility for original programming ventures on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and original content for all three networks' digital extensions. Wright, whose work for TBS and TNT includes forging creative partnerships with some of Hollywood's top producing talents, is based in Los Angeles and reports to Koonin.

"Through his abundant creativity and his talent for forming valuable partnerships with top names in the industry, Michael has become the driving force behind TBS and TNT's success when it comes to original programming," said Koonin. "I am confident that his added responsibilities for Turner Classic Movies and programming for our digital extensions as head of the Content Creation Group will continue to result in top-rated, award-winning projects that deliver on the brand promises of each network."

Wright's new duties for TCM will include supervising the network's award-winning original documentaries and specials, as well as branching the network out into the production of original series tied into its classic movie pedigree. Day-to-day operation of the TCM original programming team will continue to be handled by Tom Brown, vice president of program production, who now reports to Wright.

On the digital front, Wright will oversee such digital properties as sponsored microseries and Web series that complement TNT, TBS and TCM's linear programming line-ups.

Wright joined TNT in 2002 and was named senior vice president of original programming for the network in 2004. Since then, TNT has scored big on the original series front, with the hugely successful series The Closer leading the way as ad-supported cable's #1 series of all time among households and viewers. The series, starring Golden Globe� winner Kyra Sedgwick, marks one of many outstanding creative partnerships he has formed. Other high-profile collaborative efforts have welcomed the talents of Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks Television for the 16-time Emmy�-nominated production of Into the West and the summer 2008 limited-series adaptation of Stephen King and Peter Straub's The Talisman; Oscar�-winner Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, John Calley, David Zucker and David A. Rosemont for this summer's Cold War CIA epic The Company; and blockbuster filmmaker Dean Devlin for the highly successful movie series The Librarian. His team is also working on two new eagerly anticipated drama series premiering this summer: Saving Grace, a bold new series starring Oscar winner Holly Hunter, and Heartland, a powerful medical drama featuring Treat Williams and Kari Matchett.

TNT's many successful original programming ventures under Wright's auspices also include the acclaimed television movie Door to Door, honored with the distinguished Peabody Award and an industry-best six Emmys; the critically acclaimed all-star television event Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King; and the top-rated miniseries Salem's Lot.

In December 2005, Wright added development and production of original programming for TBS to his responsibilities. Since that time, TBS has enjoyed the successful debuts of two new original comedies: My Boys and 10 Items or Less, both of which are slated to return this year with new episodes. Wright also forged creative partnerships with Blue Collar Comedy Tour headliner Bill Engvall, who will star in and executive-produce this summer's The Bill Engvall Show, and Frank Caliendo, whose spot-on impersonations will serve as the basis for a new late-night sketch comedy.

In addition to his work on series, limited series and movies, Wright also oversees production on specials for the networks, including TNT's presentations of the Black Movie Awards and Christmas in Washington, as well as TBS and TNT's simulcast of the Screen Actors Guild Awards�.

Prior to his work for Turner Entertainment Networks, Wright served as vice president of movies and miniseries for CBS Productions and CBS Entertainment. During his tenure there, he supervised production of some of CBS' highest-rated and acclaimed television movies, including The Long Way Home, The Marriage Fool, the Peabody Award-winning Sharing the Secret and the live, Emmy-nominated production of On Golden Pond, with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Wright holds a bachelor's degree in theatre arts from the UCLA College of Fine Arts.

Turner Network Television (TNT), television's destination for drama and one of cable's highest-rated networks, offers original movies and series, including the acclaimed detective drama The Closer, starring Golden Globe winner and Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Awards nominee Kyra Sedgwick; Saving Grace, a bold new drama starring Oscar winner Holly Hunter; Heartland, a powerful medical drama with Treat Williams and Kari Matchett; and this summer's eagerly anticipated television event The Company, executive-produced by Ridley Scott and starring Chris O'Donnell, Michael Keaton and Alfred Molina. TNT is also home to powerful one-hour dramas, such as Without a Trace, Law & Order, Las Vegas, Cold Case, ER, Charmed and Judging Amy; broadcast premiere movies; compelling prime-time specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards�; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA. TNT is also available in high-definition.

TBS, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television's top-rated comedy network. It serves as home to such hot contemporary comedies as Sex and the City, Everybody Loves Raymond, Family Guy, Seinfeld and Friends; original comedy series like My Boys, The Bill Engvall Show, 10 Items or Less and The Frank Show; specials and special events, such as Funniest Commercials of the Year and The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.

Turner Classic Movies, currently seen in more than 75 million homes, is a 24-hour cable network from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a TimeWarner company. TCM presents the greatest motion pictures of all time from the largest film library in the world, the combined TimeWarner and Turner film libraries, from the �20s through the �90s, commercial-free and without interruption. The network also offers critically acclaimed original documentaries and specials, including the recent Emmy-winning Stardust: The Bette Davis Story and Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool. On the slate for 2007 are such original productions as Private Screenings: Jane Fonda, Brando and Spielberg on Spielberg, among others. Please visit tcm.com for more information.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a TimeWarner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and a leading provider of programming for the television industry.





  [april 2007]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· 10 ITEMS OR LESS (TBS)
· BILL ENGVALL SHOW, THE (TBS)
· BLUE COLLAR TV (WB)
· CLOSER, THE (TNT)
· COMPANY, THE (TNT)
· DOOR TO DOOR (TNT)
· FRANK TV (TBS)
· HEARTLAND (TNT)
· INTO THE WEST (TNT)
· LIBRARIAN 2, THE: RETURN TO KING SOLOMON'S MINES (TNT)
· LIBRARIAN, THE: QUEST FOR THE SPEAR (TNT)
· MY BOYS (TBS)
· NIGHTMARES & DREAMSCAPES: FROM THE STORIES OF STEPHEN KING (TNT)
· SALEM'S LOT (TNT)
· SAVING GRACE (TNT)
· TALISMAN, THE (NETFLIX)





[10/03/25 - 02:17 PM]
ESPN's Record-Setting '25 MLB Wild Card Series
Across eight games, the MLB Wild Card Series is averaging 4.4 million viewers, up 65% from last year.

[10/03/25 - 12:37 PM]
BET+ Sets October 23 Premiere for "Carl Weber's The Family Business" Season 6
The 10-episode season will premiere with two episodes, followed by one episode weekly, with the finale on Thursday, December 18.

[10/03/25 - 12:07 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Continues to Shatter Records - Growing Two Weeks in a Row Since Season Premiere for First Time Since 2005
Plus: "High Potential" hit a season high in Total Viewers (4.24 million), growing by double digits over the show's comparable third episode from last fall.

[10/03/25 - 10:57 AM]
Legends, Champions and Icons of October Highlight FOX Sports' Postseason Broadcaster Lineup
FOX Sports begins its Postseason coverage Saturday, October 4 at 4:00 PM ET on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports App and FOX One as the New York Yankees face the Toronto Blue Jays.

[10/03/25 - 10:05 AM]
All-New Season of "Gold Rush" Returns with High-Stake Risks and Land Fury on Friday, November 7 at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
With only a few short months to mine, top bosses and rising underdogs collide in a race to claim new ground, move more dirt, and strike it rich.

[10/03/25 - 09:12 AM]
FOX Nation Secures Exclusive U.S. Rights to Docuseries "Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar"
The acclaimed series will make its anticipated U.S. debut on FOX Nation on Monday, October 6.

[10/03/25 - 08:02 AM]
TNT Sports to Be Exclusive Home of 2025 NLDS & NLCS
Both best-of-five NLDS series begin Saturday, October 4.

[10/03/25 - 08:01 AM]
TNT Sports Sets BIG EAST Men's College Basketball Schedule for Inaugural 2025-26 Season
TNT Sports' regular season BIG EAST men's basketball schedule will feature 40 appearances by St. John's, UConn, Creighton, Xavier, and Marquette, programs that each clinched berths in last season's NCAA Men's Tournament.

[10/03/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "27 Nights" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When a woman is admitted by her daughters to a psychiatric clinic for her carefree ways, an expert must judge if she is ill or simply wants to enjoy life.

[10/03/25 - 04:01 AM]
Video: "Steve" - Official Trailer #2 - Netflix
Over one intense day, the devoted head teacher of a last-chance reform school strives to keep his students in line while facing pressures of his own.

[10/03/25 - 03:02 AM]
Miguel Herran Will Play Poli Diaz in "El Porto the Vallecas," the New Film by Daniel Calparsoro for Netflix
Inspired by true events, the film follows the life of Policarpo "Poli" Díaz (Miguel Herrán), a young man from Vallecas who, despite a childhood marked by poverty and family violence, became a boxing legend in 1980s Spain, even fighting for the world lightweight title.

[10/03/25 - 03:01 AM]
Netflix Honors Jane Goodall with Posthumous Release of "Famous Last Words" Docuseries Following Her Passing
The series showcases reflective interviews with some of the world's most influential cultural figures, who agreed to sit down and discuss their legacy, and give their final words, with the understanding that it would only be shared with the world after they passed.

[10/02/25 - 04:09 PM]
ESPN Delivers the Most-Watched WNBA Semifinals Ever
Game 5 between the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces averaged 1.8 million viewers, peaking at 2.1 million.

[10/02/25 - 03:01 PM]
Video: "Twisted Wonderland" - Trailer - Disney+
Your favorite villains reimagined in ways you've never dared to dream.

[10/02/25 - 02:51 PM]
ESPN's Record-Setting Day One of MLB Wild Card Series
Coverage of Red Sox versus Yankees averaged 6.5 million viewers, peaking at 9.9 million.