Otter Media's Tony Goncalves to direct WarnerMedia's streaming service – Variety



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Under the leadership of WarnerMedia at AT & T, Tony Goncalves, CEO of Otter Media, will lead the development of WarnerMedia's next consumer direct-to-consumer service.

In addition, Andy Forssell, the latest Chief Operating Officer of Otter Media and former CEO of Hulu, will badume the role of Executive Vice President and General Manager of the new streaming service, which has not yet been named, and from Goncalves.

With these changes, Brad Bentley is leaving the WarnerMedia Entertainment Group as General Manager and Executive Vice President for Development directly from consumers, after six months of this position.

WarnerMedia has transferred Otter Media under the supervision of WarnerMedia Entertainment, led by Bob Greenblatt, Chairman of the Board of WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct-to-Consumer. Goncalves, who continues to oversee Otter's existing brands and services, is now reporting to Greenblatt.

Kevin Reilly, president of SCT, TNT and TruTV and content director for the direct-to-consumer service, will remain in this position under the responsibility of Greenblatt.

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Last November, John Stankey, CEO of WarnerMedia, named Bentley, a former director of DirecTV, to the position of general manager overseeing all aspects of the company's streaming service.

Subscription-to-consumer VOD service will bring together HBO content, Warner Bros. and Turner, as well as the original programming. It is expected to debut in the United States in beta form in the fourth quarter of 2019, with a full launch in the first quarter of 2020.

"I am confident that with Tony and Andy leading our product and operations, Kevin and Casey Bloys of HBO guiding our content strategy, and with Bob at the helm, we have a great team that creates a great service. Streaming organized with a winning combination of content and content. characteristics, "Stankey said in a statement.

About Bentley, Stankey added, "I would also like to thank Brad for his leadership in completing the project in record time."

Otter Media's business includes Fullscreen, focused on branded content and influence marketing; Crunchyroll anime streaming service; Rooster Teeth, focused on science fiction, player and anime content; and VRV, a subscription VOD aggregation service.

In a statement, Greenblatt said, "The successful business of Otter Media is important to this company and I am pleased to welcome Tony and Andy to our direct-to-consumer sales team. The expertise of this group will be invaluable for our new streaming service, as we aim to broadcast the content of the world's best storytellers to audiences who expect a digital experience of the highest quality. "

WarnerMedia had already taken several steps to restructure Otter Media, following the acquisition of Chernin Group's venture capital stake in AT & T. Changes include the transfer of Machinima from Warner Bros.'s umbrella. at Otter Media, which then effectively closed Machinima and regrouped the remaining groups into Fullscreen and Rooster Teeth. Otter Media has also closed the Fullscreen Live in-person tour group and the Fullscreen Direct fan participation service.

In addition to its operating units, Otter Media's portfolio includes a majority stake in the first Gunpowder & Sky digital studio and a minority interest in Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine content company for women and athletes at the Mars Reel High School.

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