• by Karlene Lukovitz  @KLmarketdaily, February 25, 2020

WarnerMedia Entertainment has restructured content acquisition management, assigning overall responsibility for the function across all of its entertainment networks and direct-to-consumer business to content acquisitions executive vice president Michael Quigley.

The new structure has two groups: one for HBO Max, headed by Jonathan Melber, and one for the entertainment networks, headed by Royce Battleman. Both will report to Quigley.

In his new role as senior vice president of content acquisition for HBO Max, Melber’s oversight will include film and television licensing from third parties and WarnerMedia brands.

During his year at HBO Max, Melber has managed the acquisitions of “Friends,” “South Park” and “Doctor Who,” as well as an output deal with The CW and a streaming deal with the Studio Ghibli animation company.

Battleman, who was serving as an advisor to the HBO Now and HBO Max product and distribution teams, becomes senior VP content acquisition for WarnerMedia Entertainment networks (HBO, Cinemax, TNT, TBS, truTV). That includes oversight of Pay 1 film deals for HBO and Cinemax; off-net series acquisitions for the basic-cable networks; and film library, international and other specialty acquisitions across all networks.

Also on the team are veteran Turner executive Valerie Meraz, who will report to Battleman; and Chris Grunden and Leslie Cohen, who will add film acquisitions for HBO Max to their current HBO responsibilities. Turner’s Liz Bannan Atcheson will continue to  work on acquisitions for HBO Max, reporting to Melber.