Kevin Reilly To Reorganize TNT, TBS Programming Divisions

TBS and TNT president Kevin Reilly is putting his mark on the two services by splitting up the original programming duties of the networks into separate units.

Sarah Aubrey will serve as executive vice president of original programming for TNT, while Brett Weitz has been elevated to executive president of original programming for TBS.

Reilly Tuesday also named Turner Broadcasting and Warner Bros. legal veteran Sandra Dewey as president of TNT, TBS productions and business affairs.  

"Over the next couple of years, we will continue to sharpen and evolve our brands by doubling down on original programming and being tenacious about our networks' value proposition," said Reilly in a statement. "These leadership appointments are the important first step in that direction. With Sandra overseeing business affairs and our growing slate of in-house productions, Sarah joining us to make TNT originals even more distinct and valuable and Brett focusing on both growing and further defining TBS originals, we have a great team of stewards to shepherd this transformation."

Aubrey, formerly a partner with Peter Berg in their production company, Film 44, has produced such shows as Friday Night Lights and film Love Survivor. She will be responsible for developing new content for drama-themed TNT. 

Weitz, who most recently served as senior vice president of development for TBS and TNT, will lead TBS in expanding the slate of original shows across all platforms, according to Reilly.

Dewey will manage TNT and TBS Productions, the in-house studio, as both networks begin to produce more of their own content. She will also continue to lead business affairs and production for several networks across the Turner portfolio, including TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network, truTV and Turner Classic Movies (TCM), as well as for new media and advertiser-sponsored initiatives.

She will be a key architect going forward as producing more of our own content becomes a key element in our networks' business model," added Reilly. 

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.