HBO Max Head Andy Forssell Is Out Ahead Of Discovery Merger

In a bloodbath Tuesday at WarnerMedia before the Discovery merger, add HBO Max Head Andy Forssell to the list of exiting executives. He joins WarnerMedia studios and networks group chairman and CEO Ann Sarnoff and WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar.

It’s been buzzed that Discovery CEO David Zaslav does not like layers. Well, three layers just got depleted.

JB Perrette, President & CEO of Discovery Streaming & International, had been widely speculated to be taking over the combined direct-to-consumer streaming operation even before Forssell’s exit became official.

Interestingly enough, Forssell, Kilar and Sarnoff were part of a sit-down with media reporters back in October. This was perceived by some to be an exit tour, even though Kilar was mum at the time about his rumored departure. The biggest upset here is Sarnoff: Optically, some speculated that it was wouldn’t look good for the new merger to see a high-level female executive exit; that some sort of new position would be offered to Sarnoff under the new regime. That’s not happening.

The trio of executives’ exits come in the wake of project Popcorn being a big embarrassment for the studio, both in regards to talent relations and a very, very hefty payout to talent for maneuvering, not a gradual theatrical day-and-date plan in 2021, but one that impacted the entire annual slate, starting with Wonder Woman 1984. Kilar has trumpeted the 73M-plus global HBO Max subscriber number. Apparently, the new administration coming in doesn’t care.

Deadline has confirmed through a source close to the matter.

We’ll update when we receive a statement from WarnerMedia about Forssell.

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