Warner Bros forms new division to exploit OTT opportunity

Warner Bros. has created a digital networks division that will house the Hollywood studio’s over-the-top assets and lead a push into OTT services, reports TBI Vision.

Craig Hunegs will lead Warner Bros. Digital Networks as president, a role he will fulfil alongside his Warner Bros. Television Group president of business and strategy post.

Warner Bros.’s sister companies HBO and Turner Broadcasting System have already launched SVOD services as part of a Time Warner plan to better monetise its content online.

WBDN will look to expand Warner’s owned OTT assets, which include the newly-acquired DramaFever and SVOD platform Warner Archive Instant. It will also oversee Warner’s investments in gaming multichannel network Machinima; LeBron James venture Uninterrupted; and Ellen Digital Ventures, the new Ellen DeGeneres digital networks group that launched recently.

There will also be focus on launching new OTT offerings, growing existing services and making strategic alliances; and working Turner Broadcasting System and HBO.

“In today’s on-demand world, OTT gives us a really effective means to directly provide consumers the programming they want,” said Warner Bros. Entertainment CEO and chairman Kevin Tsujihara.

“By forming Warner Bros. Digital Networks, we’ll be able to operate more nimbly as we continue to develop and deliver on our digital strategy which will complement our industry-leading distribution business.”

Hunegs reports to Tsujihara in both of his posts.