Movies

Greg Berlanti signs mega new global deal with Warner Bros. Television – Deadline

January 9, 2023

Warner Bros. keeps its most prolific television producer of the last decade in the fold. Greg Berlanti has entered into a massive new four-year exclusive global contract to keep his Berlanti productions at the studio for its television operations until 2027.

No financial terms were disclosed, but sources say the pact is structured differently from Berlanti’s last successful global deal with Warner Bros. TV Group, which had been estimated to be worth more than $300 million and up to $400 million over six years. That deal involved the studio buying out Berlanti’s backend on its shows, while the new deal is more of a joint venture with big potential for Berlanti, sources said.

If successful, based on the number of series the new deal brings in and their profitability, it could be the biggest TV deal ever for Warner Bros. This is the first cover for one of television’s top creative talents since Discovery’s merger with the company. the new management sends a signal that, even with the cost-cutting measures, including a slew of write-offs, that have dominated the headlines over the past nine months, they are ready to step up in order to keep the biggest names on their talent list.

“Greg is an immense talent, and the impact of his prolific and powerful storytelling on Warner Bros. and audiences, as well as our culture, is just ‘wow,'” said David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery. “He started his career with us, and we are incredibly lucky that he will continue to build and grow our TV studio well into the future.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Berlanti Productions, in which Berlanti is partnered with longtime collaborator Sarah Schechter, will continue to develop new television shows to be produced by divisions of the Warner Bros. group. TV for all platforms, including WBD’s HBO Max. , external streaming services, cable and broadcast networks.

Like the last time Berlanti joined Warner Bros. TV Group, the new deal closed quickly with about two years remaining on his previous contract as Berlanti’s new agents at CAA worked through the holidays and Channing Dungey sealed the deal for the studio, sources said.

However, the circumstances are very different.

Five years ago, Berlanti publicly announced its intention to stay at Warner Bros. TV, run at the time by one of its greatest champions, Peter Roth, who took him two decades ago for a four-year stint at WBTV, during which Berlanti premiered his first series, Everwood, then lured him into the studio in 2011. Berlanti has since been at Warner Bros. TV, growing its footprint to multiple times break the record for a television producer with the most concurrent shows, including having 20 shows on air or in production during the 2019-22 season, supporting five nights of the week on six different networks and streamers. Berlanti Productions currently has more than 15 shows on air or filming.

Meanwhile, the past year has brought a major shake-up to Berlanti Productions’ television business, sparked by sweeping changes at Warner Bros., DC and The CW. Following the Discovery merger, there were management shake-ups and restructurings across all divisions of Warner Bros., including the TV studio, HBO Max and DC whose IP led a significant portion of the portfolio. Berlanti TV. Additionally, Warner Bros. and Paramount Global’s CBS sold the majority of their 50% stakes in The CW, where most Berlanti Productions-run series aired, putting the future of original scripted programming on that network in limbo. (As questions about the fate of The CW have grown over the past year, Berlanti Prods. has ramped up its HBO Max portfolio where the company has become a top provider of scripted series.)

With so much uncertainty, many wondered if Berlanti would stay put or opt for a new TV house. (In feature films, Berlanti/Schechter Films has an exclusive first-look deal on Netflix, which is still two years old.) Speculation about his future intensified a few weeks ago when Berlanti made a rare change of direction. agency, leaving its longtime representative. at WME for CAA, where his team is led by heavyweights Bryan Lourd and Joe Cohen. According to sources, WME had discussions with Warner Bros. TV Group over an extension of Berlanti’s previous deal before he left. He then made a new deal with his new agents.

“We are beyond thrilled to continue our partnership with one of the industry’s most accomplished, celebrated and compelling storytellers,” said Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group: “Greg is a visionary, a pioneer and a leader, but more than that, he is a valued member of the Warner Bros. family. Working with Greg is a tremendous privilege, and we look forward to seeing what stories he and his team will bring to life in the years to come.

Chairman of Warner Bros. Television, Brett Paul, a studio veteran and the only member of WBD/WBTV’s management team who was also involved in Berlanti’s previous pact, worked with Dungey on the deal.

A WGA, DGA, PGA and Emmy nominated screenwriter, director and producer, Berlanti began his television career as a screenwriter on Dawson’s Creek and became executive producer and showrunner of the series after just a year on staff. This first concert launched a meteoric career for Berlanti, which has produced or created more than 40 shows over the past 20 years, with more than 1,300 hours of television to its credit..

“Every day I wake up grateful to be able to tell stories for a living with so many talented people I love. call Warner Bros. home,” Berlanti said. “The television business has changed and Warner Bros. has changed too, but I’m more grateful than ever to be in TV and working with a passionate, brilliant, kind leader like Channing Dungey and alongside a wise, wonderful old friend like Bret Paul. When I first got to know David Zaslav, he was the rarest of Hollywood executives: honest, loyal and visionary as to the type of Warner Bros. flourishing he wants to build for the future, where storytellers like me can have a home to tell stories that excite and move audiences around the world, for years to come.

Berlanti Productions The stewardess received a dozen Emmy nominations. Season 3 of You, co-created by Berlanti, spent three consecutive weeks at Netflix’s No. 1 spot. Many Berlanti Productions series such as all american and All Americans: Homecoming have held spots on Netflix’s Top 10 list for over 15 weeks.

Berlanti was the architect of DC’s live-action CW television universe incorporating key comic book characters like The Flash, Superman, Green Arrow, Supergirl and Batwoman, which ran for 38 seasons (and counting). Additionally, Berlanti launched a second DC Universe with Titans, Doom Patrol, and the DCs daughter of the stars, and is about to launch the new upcoming series Dead Boy Detectives for HBO Max as well as Gotham Knights on the CW this year.

Upcoming TV series also include Found for NBC as well as Following and The girls on the bus for HBO Max. Besides Berlanti and Schechter, the management of Berlanti Productions includes chairman Leigh London Redman.

Throughout his career, Berlanti has been a leader and voice for inclusion in the entertainment industry, both on screen and behind the camera. In 2022, he received the PGA’s Norman Lear Achievement Award for his professional achievements and impact on the art and craft of television.

Berlanti, who is currently directing the feature Project Artemis for Apple, with Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum, is replaced by the CAA and attorney Patti Felker.