TNT & TBS GM that helped AEW expand departs Warner Bros. Discovery

One of the major players that helped AEW expand within WarnerMedia is leaving the company.

Deadline first reported Wednesday Brett Weitz, general manager of TNT, TBS and truTV, will be transitioning out of his role within the next month after 14 years within Turner.

Weitz found himself without a position following the WarnerMedia/Discovery merger.

Weitz took over as GM when AEW launched on TNT back in October 2019 and helped guide its subsequent expansion with Rampage and Battle of the Belts, in addition to reviving the John Cena-led Wipeout on TBS.

The new environment within the new Warner Bros. Discovery corporate environment continues to be shaken up due to the fallout from the recently approved merger.

How that new corporate structure and philosophy affects negotiations with AEW remains to be seen. What is known is that there will be less of an emphasis on scripted programming as they ended new scripted show development on both TBS and TNT.

At next week’s upfronts where networks try to drive interest with advertisers for their upcoming programming slate, live sports and news will be a major focus of the new company’s presentation.

AEW is part of an advertising package along with sports, CNN specials and original documentaries called Premier — an effort for the company to drive top ad dollars what they see have been undervalued assets.

AEW’s extension with Warner Bros. Discovery runs through 2023.