Things We Saw Today: Warner Bros. Discovery Scraps Scripted Shows at TNT, TBS

Earlier this month, Discovery acquired WarnerMedia from AT&T in a $43 billion dollar deal (aka one Twitter), forming the new company Warner Bros. Discovery. The massive merger brings together Discovery’s fleet of (mostly) reality channels like Discovery Plus, Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, etc. with Warner’s own stable that includes HBO Max, CNN, TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network, DC Films, etc. But with all mergers come consolidations and cutbacks, and this one is no exception. CEO David Zaslav was tasked with cutting $3 billion from the new company’s budget, and he’s starting by eliminating scripted TV development at both TBS and TNT.

While TNT and TBS will no longer be developing scripted content, it’s unclear what will happen with the channels’ current slate of programming, which has been greatly reduced in recent years. TBS’s only remaining scripted series include “The Last OG,” “Miracle Workers,” “Chad,” and “American Dad.” TNT only boasts two originals, “Animal Kingdom,” which premieres its sixth and final season this summer, and “Snowpiercer.” The science fiction adaptation of Bong Joon-Ho’s 2013 film stars Daveed Diggs and Jennifer Connelly aired its third season last month, with a fourth on the way. But the future of “Snowpiercer” and these other series could be in jeopardy.

One major casualty of the merger (among other things) is the quick launch and cancellation of CNN+. Will these shows join CNN+ in the trash heap, or will they continue on? And what does WBD plan to do with TNT and TBS if new scripted content is out? Will more successful series like “Snowpiercer” and “American Dad” find a new home on HBO Max? The future is unclear.

Many writers and producers took to Twitter to share their take on the news:

(via Variety, image: David Bukach/TNT)

• Britain’s ITV cuts homophobic joke from ‘Spider-Man’. (via Variety)
• New social media app BeReal wants students to post more authentic content. (via Inside Higher Ed)
• Biden announces the first pardons of his presidency. (via HuffPost)

• Protesters storm British Museum to protest fossil fuel sponsorship. (via HyperAllergic)
• Viola Davis hits back at critics over her Michelle Obama performance. (via Deadline)
• QAnon thinks Elon Musk will let them re-infect Twitter. (via Vice)
• Congrats to LeVar Burton!

Hope you’re having a Tuesday, Mary Suevians!

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Chelsea Steiner

Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.

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