Kathleen Finch Urges Shift From 'Cable' Label as She Prepares to Exit Warner Bros. Discovery

The outgoing U.S. Networks chief emphasizes content's adaptability across platforms and reflects on the future of the industry.

Kathleen Finch, Warner Bros. Discovery's head of U.S. Networks, will retire at the end of 2024, passing leadership to Channing Dungey.
Finch advises industry peers to move away from identifying as 'cable executives,' emphasizing the importance of focusing on content creation rather than distribution methods.
She highlighted the enduring profitability of cable, describing it as a slowing but still significant multi-billion-dollar business with a 50% margin.
Programs like '90 Day Fiancé' and true crime series demonstrate how cable content can successfully reach new audiences through streaming platforms like Max.
Finch encouraged creative partnerships and flexible business models, signaling a shift from traditional buy-outs to co-productions and shared rights deals.