Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) has announced plans to reduce the headcount across its EMEA operations by 30%.
The move will affect the around 1,200 people currently employed by TBS and follows a review by Gerhard Zeiler, president of Turner Broadcasting International, who joined from RTL earlier this year.
Zeiler said today: “This review required us taking some tough decisions, but they are absolutely necessary to put Turner International in the best possible position for future growth. Greater empowerment and broader accountability for local management will lead to simplified processes throughout the organisation, improved efficiency and reduced costs.”
The senior management team will comprise Pete Flamman will be head of kids and central services, Jaime Ondarza will run operations in Italy, France and UK as well as Scandinavia, Domingo Corral in Iberia, Hannes Heyelmann in German-speaking territories, the Benelux and Central and Eastern Europe, while Rani Raad will be responsible for Turkey, Middle East and Africa.
All will report to Zeiler.
Time-Warner owned Turner EMEA launched first in the UK in 1993. The broadcaster currently transmits 19 branded channels via 56 feeds in 26 languages throughout the region.
The portfolio of channels includes CNN International, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Cartoonito, TNT, Boing, Adult Swim, TCM, Star!, Silver, Showtime and glitz.