WarnerMedia Entertainment Realigns Content Acquisitions Team

WarnerMedia Entertainment is integrating the content acquisitions team across the company’s entire portfolio of entertainment networks and direct-to-consumer business under Michael Quigley.

Quigley serves as executive VP of content acquisitions. Under his new team, Jonathan Melber has been elevated to senior VP of content acquisition for HBO Max, responsible for leading content acquisition, including film and television licensing from third parties and WarnerMedia brands. Since joining the HBO Max team a year ago, Melber has managed the acquisitions of Friends, South Park and Doctor Who, as well as The CW output deal and the first-ever streaming deal with the animation house Studio Ghibli.

Royce Battleman will serve as senior VP of content acquisition, overseeing content acquisition for the WarnerMedia Entertainment networks (HBO, Cinemax, TNT, TBS and truTV), including 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. Most recently, Battleman has served as an advisor to the HBO Now and HBO Max product and distribution teams.

Both Battleman and Melber report to Quigley, who is ultimately responsible for all WarnerMedia Entertainment content acquisition efforts.

Rounding out the content acquisitions team are veteran Turner executive Valerie Meraz, who will report to Battleman, along with Chris Grunden and Leslie Cohen, who will add film acquisitions for HBO Max to their current HBO responsibilities. Acquisitions executive Liz Bannan Atcheson, from Turner, will continue her work on acquisitions for HBO Max, reporting to Melber.

“Michael and his team have the breadth and depth of experience required in today’s competitive marketplace to both land defining content and rewrite our rules for how content will move through all exhibition windows going forward,” said Kevin Reilly, chief content officer for HBO Max and president of TNT, TBS and truTV. “Because of their hard work, HBO Max will feature iconic hits like Friends, South Park and Doctor Who and our networks will continue to have hit series like The Big Bang Theory, as well as many of the most coveted major studio blockbusters, such as Joker and Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.”

“Jonathan has played a fundamental role in securing iconic titles for HBO Max and his handling of some of the company’s most high-profile acquisitions has positioned the streaming platform for nothing short of success,” said Quigley. “And Royce’s expertise and proven track record will bring quality, engaging new entertainment for viewers across WarnerMedia Entertainment’s networks.”