The Cable Show 2010 - Go Beyond

Michael Wright

EVP & Head of Programming for TBS, TNT & TCM
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

Michael Wright

Michael Wright is Executive Vice President, Head of Programming, TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). In this role, he is responsible for all programming and scheduling for TBS and TNT, including original series, limited series and specials, as well as for original programming ventures on TCM and original content for all three networks’ digital extensions. Wright is based in Los Angeles and reports to Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks.

Wright joined TNT in 2002 and was named senior vice president of original programming for the network in 2004. Since then, TNT has scored big on the original series front, aggressively ramping up its production slate to fill three nights of original programming this summer. To reach that goal, Wright’s team put together an extensive roster of high-profile series, topped by ad-supported cable’s #1 series of all time, The Closer. TNT’s other original series include Saving Grace, Leverage, HawthoRNe, Dark Blue and the most recent addition, the critically acclaimed Men of a Certain Age. This summer, the new series Rizzoli & Isles and Memphis Beat will join the lineup.

Wright first added development and production of original programming for TBS to his responsibilities in December 2005. Since that time, TBS has enjoyed enormous success with its original series, including the critically acclaimed My Boys and the hit late-night series Lopez Tonight, hosted by George Lopez. Upcoming is the network’s first foray into primetime animation, Neighbors from Hell.

Previous high-profile collaborative efforts involving Wright have welcomed the talents of Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks Television for TNT’s 16-time Emmy-nominated production of Into the West; Oscar nominee Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, John Calley, David Zucker and David A. Rosemont for the critically acclaimed and award-winning Cold War CIA epic The Company; blockbuster filmmaker Dean Devlin for the highly successful movie series The Librarian; and Matthew Perry, who gave an acclaimed performance in the title role of The Ron Clark Story.

Other successful original programming ventures under Wright’s auspices include the acclaimed television movie Door to Door, honored with the distinguished Peabody Award and an industry-best six Emmys; the critically acclaimed all-star television event Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King; and the top-rated miniseries Salem’s Lot.

In April 2007, Wright’s duties were expanded to include supervising TCM’s award-winning original documentaries and specials, as well as branching out into the production of original series tied into the network’s classic movie pedigree. On the digital front, Wright oversees such digital properties as sponsored microseries and Web series that complement TNT, TBS and TCM’s linear programming line-ups.

In addition to his work on series, limited series and movies, Wright also oversees production on specials for the networks, including TBS and TNT’s simulcast of the Screen Actors Guild Awards® and TNT’s presentations of Christmas in Washington.

Prior to his work for Turner Entertainment Networks, Wright served as vice president of movies and miniseries for CBS Productions and CBS Entertainment. During his tenure there, he supervised production of some of CBS’ highest-rated and acclaimed television movies, including The Long Way Home, The Marriage Fool, the Peabody Award-winning Sharing the Secret and the live, Emmy-nominated production of On Golden Pond, with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

Wright is currently a member of the American Film Institute Board of Trustees and serves as secretary for the Hollywood Radio & Television Society Board of Trustees. He holds a bachelor’s degree in theater arts from the UCLA College of Fine Arts.


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