Casey Bloys Unveils His Skydance DTC Content Team Featuring All HBO Max Execs: Francesca Orsi, Amy Gravitt, Sarah Aubrey & More
Casey Bloys has named the content leadership team for Skydance’s direct-to-consumer business, retaining the senior executives who worked with him at HBO and HBO Max. The structure is intended to keep both HBO Max and Paramount+ moving forward while clarifying which teams handle different programming as the services prepare to align.
Francesca Orsi becomes President of HBO Drama Series and Films, with responsibility for deciding which drama projects are suited to HBO and which to HBO Max. Sarah Aubrey will lead Paramount+, Max Originals and international programming, taking over the reporting line for Jane Wiseman’s team as Wiseman leaves. Glenn Whitehead will oversee business affairs, production and operations across HBO and Paramount+, while Amy Gravitt, Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller remain in their existing programming roles; Jeff Cusson becomes EVP and Head of Communications for Skydance DTC. The services are expected to merge within one to two years.
In short
- Bloys keeps his HBO Max leadership team at Skydance DTC.
- Aubrey will oversee Paramount+, Max Originals and international programming.
- HBO Max and Paramount+ are expected to merge within one to two years.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Keeping the experienced HBO and HBO Max executives could preserve creative relationships, institutional knowledge and consistent programming while the services are brought together. Clearer responsibilities may also help HBO Max and Paramount+ continue operating during the transition and make decisions about where each project best fits.
The case against
Concentrating leadership among executives from the existing HBO structure may leave less room for fresh perspectives or for Paramount+’s own programming identity to shape the combined service. With the platforms expected to merge, overlapping responsibilities and reporting changes could also create uncertainty for staff and creative partners before the new structure is settled.
Explained simply
HBO is a television brand known for drama series and films, while HBO Max and Paramount+ are subscription services that stream programmes online. Skydance is a film and television company that is taking over Paramount’s parent company, bringing the services under the same corporate ownership.
Casey Bloys leads programming for HBO and its streaming service. His team includes executives responsible for choosing dramas, comedy, documentaries and other programmes, as well as for production and communications. The services have had separate teams and identities, even as they compete for viewers.
Their planned alignment matters because decisions about which programmes appear on each service can shape what subscribers get and how the brands develop. The companies have said the services are expected to merge within one to two years.
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