Marc Graboff is leaving Warner Bros. as president of global commercial and legal affairs.Discovery – Deadline

Marc Graboff is leaving Warner Bros. Discovery After nearly eight years at the company and its predecessor Discovery. Company Graboff, a respected veteran television business executive, has just notified company employees of his decision. A key member of Discovery’s CEO (now WBD) senior management team, Graboff transitioned to the combined company following the merger of Discovery and WarnerMedia. Graboff most recently reported to Kathleen Finch, chairman and chief content officer at American Networks Group, who will leave in December after assisting with the transition.

“My decision to leave was not an easy one, and I have been grappling with it for several months. However, with my contract expiring next spring and the continued transformation of our newly combined company, the timing is reasonable,” Graboff said in a statement. wrote in his memo. (You can read it in full below.)

Graboff had the option of extending his contract but opted to leave, a move that would ease the burden of layoffs at his division as WBD seeks $3B in cost cuts, the sources said. He is not retiring and is expected to consider his next move after the break.

During his 2015-2022 tenure at Discovery, Graboff negotiated BBC Natural History export deals, various high-level talent deals (including Mike Rowe, Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay and The Property Brothers), commissions and renewals of successful franchises such as 90 Days of Finance, Deadliest Catch, Beat Bobby Flay, Serengeti and America’s Top Gear.

Before joining Discovery, Graboff was President of the Core Media Group from 2012-2015.he supervises American idol On Fox, management and eventual sale of Elvis Presley Enterprises and acquisition of Sharp Entertainment, producer of the highly successful 90 Days of Finance franchise on TLC.

Graboff’s career is closely tied to NBC, where he spent more than a dozen years from 2000 to 2012, including co-chairs of NBC Entertainment and NBC Universal Television Studios with Ben Silveman. He began as Executive Vice President of Commercial Affairs and ended up as President of Commercial Operations.negotiated Frasier, West Wing, ER and friends The deal and the first NBC-Universal combined overall agreement with Dick Wolf.

From 1996 to 2000, CBS Senior Vice President of Commercial Affairs, he survivor.

Here is his memo:

all,

It is with mixed feelings that I share my decision to leave President of Global Business & Legal Affairs and Content Supply Chain, which will take effect at the end of this year.

Between now and now, I will be working with Kathleen’s US Network senior team on the transition. Our common goal is to ensure the most efficient and effective structure for the organization to move forward. To that end, Kathleen will be sharing some additional organizational announcements soon.

My decision to leave was not an easy one, and I’ve been wrestling with it for months. But with my contract expiring next spring and the continued transformation of our newly combined company, the timing is reasonable.

It has been my greatest honor to be a part of this organization and to work with some of the most talented executives in our industry. My colleagues in the global commercial and legal affairs team, as well as in our global production management organization, are best-in-class, and I have no doubt that you will continue to excel for years to come.

Between now and December 31st, I hope to be able to speak to as many people as possible to personally thank you for making the last 8 years the most rewarding year of my career. Thank you.

all the best,

mark



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