In what seems to be a brand new wave of CW layoffs, a number of senior scripted executives have left the printed community, together with Gaye Hirsch, EVP, Growth, who’s departing after greater than 15 years, and fellow CW veteran and head of division, EVP, Present Programming Michael Roberts, who had been on the community (and its predecessor the WB) for 21 years, sources inform Deadline.
Additionally mentioned to be leaving alongside Hirsch and Roberts are Ellen Rand, SVP of Present Programming and Steve Tao, VP, Present Programming, I hear. The complete extent of layoffs is unclear. Reps for the CW didn’t return calls and emails looking for remark.
The high-profile departures come three months after new CW proprietor, Nexstar, named former Pop TV topper Brad Schwartz as President of Leisure.
In his first main govt transfer, he simply employed former NBCUniversal govt Heather Olander as Head of Unscripted, an space that may have an enormous presence on the community in its new incarnation, together with decrease value scripted originals, acquisitions and reside sports activities.
Olander’s appointment already clashed with Hirsch’s duties as she had beforehand overseen each scripted and unscripted improvement.
Many of the CW’s present scripted lineup just isn’t anticipated to return subsequent season; thus far solely flagship drama All American has been renewed.
Round 40 CW staffers had been laid off within the first wave of cuts Nov.1, simply earlier than Schwartz was appointed to the highest leisure publish.
Hirsch labored intently with former Chairman and CEO Mark Pedowitz to develop sequence together with The Flash, Arrow, Jane The Virgin, Loopy Ex-Girlfriend and Riverdale.
She had overseen all scripted and various sequence improvement for the community, in addition to present various sequence and specials.
Hirsch moved into scripted improvement at The CW in 2009, after serving within the community’s present programming division, the place she oversaw the day-to-day manufacturing on CW sequence, together with Gossip Lady. Earlier than becoming a member of The CW, she served as a Senior Government at Cruise/Wagner Productions since 2000 and labored in manufacturing at HBO Movies.
Hirsch and Roberts’ departures had been first reported by THR.
Peter White Contributed to this report.
