HBO to Replace Entertainment Head

NEW YORK, March 17: Carolyn
Strauss will leave her post as the president of entertainment programming
at HBO, with a search under way by the premium cable channel for her replacement.

Strauss has been with HBO for her entire career, beginning
as a production assistant more than 20 years ago. She was closely involved with
several of the network’s hit series, including Sex and the City and The Sopranos. However, the channel is suffering through its
longest drought without a new hit series.

Strauss will remain with the premium cable channel but in a
yet-to-be-determined capacity, according to the AP. Other reports indicate that
Strauss will be given a new production deal inside the company.

Richard Plepler, HBO’s co-president, and Michael Lombardo,
the head of HBO's programming group, are expected to select a successor.

"No one has made a more significant contribution to the
success of HBO than Carolyn," said Plepler and Lombardo in a joint
statement. “We are truly delighted that she will continue to be a part of the
HBO family. We cannot imagine HBO without her and we are thrilled that we will
continue to have the benefit of her judgment and unique talent."

—By Irene Lew