Warner Bros. Discovery Lays Off 29 Roles in Europe as HBO Max Originals Model Shifts

variety.com:

Manori Ravindran International Editor Warner Bros. Discovery is laying off 29 people in Europe over the next 15 months as it shifts its originals model for HBO Max, Variety has confirmed.

Variety was first to report in July of HBO Max’s decision to retreat from original programming in a number of European markets, and warn of layoffs within the programming team.

Under the new model, Warner Bros. Discovery will continue to invest in local European commissions and acquisitions but original programming will be handled by the local linear and streaming teams.

No shows will be commissioned solely for streaming. The executives departing the company include Jonathan Young, VP original programming and production for EMEA; Christian Wikander, VP and commissioning editor of original programming, Nordics; and Annelies Sitvast, head of unscripted original production.