As she prepares to step into the retiring Kathleen Finch’s shoes, Warner Bros. Television Group boss Channing Dungey used today’s MIPCOM session to say the TV industry is still “grappling” with “fundamental changes” brought on by the turmoil of the past few years.
Dungey will soon take Finch’s place as Chairman and CEO of U.S. networks while retaining her role overseeing the TV studio and she will have plenty on her plate.
Today at Cannes, she spoke about the unpredictability of the new era following economic challenges, Covid-19 and last year’s dual labor strikes. “This business started and was built around broadcast which had a specific cycle,” she said. “You would do 22 episodes then have a vacation, there was a consistency.
Even if your show wrapped there was another round the corner. It has been hard going from 22 episodes to eight-to-10 per season, which doesn’t even necessarily mean [working for] a year.” Dungey said these shifts remain “challenge points,” which the sector is still “grappling with.” “Everyone understands we’re not going back so the question is, how do we think about where we are and improve things going forwards,” she added.
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