Following a successful 26-year tenure as president and CEO at AMC Networks, Josh Sapan has notified the company of his desire to transition to executive vice chairman.
To help ensure an orderly transition, the company has also announced that seasoned media executive Matthew Blank will serve as interim CEO while it conducts a search for a replacement.
In his new role, Sapan will continue to assist in setting AMC Networks’ corporate and creative direction and work closely with the company’s leadership to support the overall advancement of the company, particularly as it continues to grow its targeted streaming business, led by its streaming offerings which include AMC+, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now and ALLBLK.
Blank joins AMC Networks following more than 40 years of leadership positions in the media industry, including 20 years as chairman and CEO of Showtime Networks, where he also served as president and COO. Blank also spent more than a decade at HBO, departing as senior VP, consumer marketing.
As interim CEO, Blank will utilise his expertise and work with AMC Networks’ leadership, including Josh Sapan, to maximise the company’s streaming business, while building on its core assets.
Commenting on the changes, AMC Networks chairman James Dolan said: “Over his long career, Josh’s leadership ensured AMC Networks became a force in entertainment, with far-reaching influence throughout the industry, and home to some of the most successful and innovative shows in the history of television. We are grateful for his vision, creativity and management expertise and look forward to his continued contributions as executive vice chairman.
“We are also delighted to have Matt help us through this transition. His wealth of media experience will prove valuable as he works with Josh and the AMC Networks team to support the company’s continued success”.
Sapan added: “This has been the greatest career I could have ever imagined, and I am enormously proud of all that we have accomplished. I am deeply grateful to Charles and Jim Dolan for allowing me this spectacular opportunity.
“There has perhaps been no more exciting time for the company than right now and, as executive vice chairman, I look forward to continuing to work with the outstanding team at AMC Networks, as well as Matt, my great colleague and friend, to focus on how we maximize our unique content to accelerate our streaming goals”.
