An era is coming to an end as Warner Bros. Television Group Chairman, Peter Roth, announced his departure from the company after 22 years, according to TVLine. Roth will officially exit his post in early 2021.
Under Roth’s tutelage, as many as 32 primetime series aired to great success, via TVLine. These massive titles across several networks included Fox’s Fringe, The CW’s Arrow and The Vampire Diaries, Showtime’s Shameless which is entering its final season this fall, and CBS juggernaut The Big Bang Theory which holds the title as TV’s longest-running multicamera comedy.
“Working at Warner Bros. has been the greatest, most meaningful, most rewarding experience of my career,” said Roth via TVLine. “For the past 22 years, I have had the privilege to be associated with some of the most inspiring creative talent, the most impactful television series and the most dedicated and passionate people I have ever known. It has long been my dream to be able to say farewell at the right time in the right way and for the right reason… I look forward to the next chapter of my career and remaining connected to those people who have meant so much to me,” Roth said according to TVLine.
TVLine reports Roth came to Warner Bros. in 1999 after serving as Fox Entertainment’s president. While at Fox he oversaw the development of TV mainstays such as Ally McBeal, That 70’s Show, and Family Guy. Prior to Fox, he developed and aided in sales with Twentieth Network Television. Titles under his immediate direction included family drama Picket Fences, legal series The Practice, animated farce King of the Hill, and genre standouts Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The X-Files. While with WBTV, TVLine reports Roth built a resume of at least 100 primetime series which included The West Wing, Two and a Half Men, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, The Middle, George Lopez, Person of Interest, and Supernatural.
“Peter and I have been meeting for some time about this, and while there’s never a great moment to say goodbye, he felt that this was the right time to transition in a new leader for the group,” WarnerMedia Studios CEO Ann Sarnoff said in a statement via TVLine. “He’s delivered hundreds of shows, thousands of episodes, millions of viewers, with one singular vision – to work with the best people and to make the best television series…. We’re thankful for his contributions to our company and wish him the very best,” Sarnoff concluded via TVLine.
Sources have hinted Roth’s replacement as being former ABC entertainment chief and Netflix VP Original Content, Channing Dungey, according to TVLine. Dungey recently departed the streaming service after serving just 20 months in the post. Dungey was the first Black American president of a major television network while at ABC, overseeing the development of shows like Scandal, Quantico, and How to Get Away With Murder.