or


[06/15/04 - 12:00 AM]
Janollari In, Levin Out as the WB Reorganizes
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The WB is set to undergo a major reorganization as the Frog announced this week Jordan Levin, the network's Chief Executive Officer, has stepped down from his post giving Garth Ancier, Chairman of The WB Television Network, sole oversight of The WB.

In addition, Ancier has named David Janollari the network's new President of Entertainment.

Both announcements were detailed via press release:

GARTH ANCIER TO HAVE SOLE LEADERSHIP OF THE WB

JORDAN LEVIN SEGUES TO WBTV PRODUCTION DEAL

PRESIDENT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BE NAMED

In a reorganization of The WB's operational structure, Garth Ancier, Chairman of The WB Television Network, will have sole oversight of The WB, and will bring in a President of Entertainment, who will be in charge of primetime and Kids' WB! programming, it was announced today by Barry M. Meyer, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

In the new structure, Ancier will continue to report to Meyer; Bruce Rosenblum, Executive Vice President, Warner Bros. Television Group will continue to have day-to-day corporate responsibility for The WB. Jordan Levin, CEO of The WB, who equally shared running the Network with Ancier, has decided to shed his network executive duties, instead of modifying them and becoming President of Entertainment, and has signed an Independent Production deal with Warner Bros. Television.

Last September, Ancier and Levin split up the responsibilities of running the network, serving as Co-Chairman and Co-CEO, respectively, with network founder Jamie Kellner. Upon Kellner's official retirement from the Network in May, Ancier's title became Chairman and Levin's Chief Executive Officer, whereby the two co-managed The WB and reported directly to Meyer.

"This is a win-win for all of us," said Meyer. "Taking a non-traditional organizational route was a noble effort, but having a sole leader is simply more productive, efficient and effective. Garth and Jordan are both extraordinarily talented executives and superstars in their own right. We are delighted Jordan will become an independent producer for Warner Bros. Television. One cannot overstate Jordan's contribution to the success of The WB, and we look forward to him duplicating that success at WBTV. The WB, with its strong line-up, excellent new programs for the fall and Garth and his long-time, inimitable executive team at the helm, will continue to grow and thrive."

"I appreciate Barry's confidence in me and I'm looking forward to the challenge of building upon the great success The WB has already achieved," said Ancier. "Jordan's contributions to our success have been enormous. When the book is written he will be as important in the story as any single person. Jordan and I worked together at Disney and I brought him over to The WB as soon as I got here, which was the best decision I ever made. He leaves a legacy of quality and integrity to the product."

"We have a very senior staff at The WB, most of whom have worked here since day one and many of us go all the way back to the Fox launch in 1986, and we will continue to run like a well-oiled machine. The plan is to add a President of Entertainment, who will be my partner in leading the creative direction of the Network. There are some excellent candidates out there and we plan to announce our decision in the coming days."

"The WB has been my home for 10 years now and I have great respect for all my co-workers, the best group of executives in the industry," said Levin. "We've accomplished historic feats and have created a well-branded and defined network that is an important force in the industry. There were inevitable management hiccups that would occur as Jamie (Kellner) left and Barry (Meyer) and the studio officially took over. They had a management structure in mind that although would have allowed me to continue to drive the creative direction of the company, did not allow me the opportunities and responsibilities that I had already embraced with great enthusiasm.

"Working with our talented sales team, we just completed a very successful upfront, where not only was our development season applauded, but, as importantly, we hit our business plan for the upfront. We have successfully launched a more year-round strategy with the successful debut of 'Summerland,' and we have just completed a reinvigoration of our on-air marketing look. I enjoyed the process of all of these areas and I look forward to my next opportunity to work in all of these disciplines.

"So although the job of President of Entertainment at The WB is a great one, it is a job I have already done and my goals are to continue my career as both a creative and a business executive."

DAVID JANOLLARI NAMED PRESIDENT OF ENTERTAINMENT THE WB NETWORK

David Janollari has been named President of Entertainment for The WB Network, it was announced today by Garth Ancier, Chairman of The WB. As President of Entertainment, Janollari will be responsible for Primetime Program Development including Series, Movies and Specials; Primetime Current Programming and Scheduling as well as Kids WB! Programming. Janollari joins The WB from the award winning The Greenblatt Janollari Studio which he co-founded with producing partner Bob Greenblatt. The Greenblatt Janollari Studio presently has four primetime series on the air including the critically acclaimed "Six Feet Under" for HBO, "Eve" and "One on One" for UPN and "American Family" for PBS. "David's success making award-winning series that people talk about and tune in to combined with his stellar record as a creative executive at Warner Bros. Television and Fox, make him the perfect choice to lead our Entertainment division into The WB's second decade," said Ancier. "He brings great contacts, excellent taste and a proven track record, what more can you ask for." "I am thrilled and excited to join The WB," said Janollari. "I can't thank Garth, Barry (Meyer) and Bruce (Rosenblum) enough for their confidence in me, and I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues as well as many of my old friends from my Warner Bros. Television and Fox days." Janollari has an extensive background with Warner Bros. Television; having been instrumental in bringing "Friends" creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane to the Studio, while head of comedy development, under then WBTV President Leslie Moonves. Other series under his aegis at WBTV include the long-running hit "The Drew Carey Show," "Living Single" and "Suddenly Susan" as well as two of The WB's highest-rated comedies "The Jamie Foxx Show" and "The Wayans Bros." Janollari joins The WB from having been president of The Greenblatt Janollari Studio, an independent television production company currently producing four television series, including the twice Emmy-nominated series "Six Feet Under," winner of the 2001 Golden Globe for Best Drama Series, and 2003 recipient of the George Foster Peabody Award. He also executive produces UPN's sophomore comedy "Eve," nominated for four Teen Choice Awards, including Best Comedy Series, as well as "One on One," now in its fourth season on UPN. In addition, Janollari also produced "American Family," the first and only Latino drama on network television which recently concluded its airing on PBS. The Greenblatt Janollari Studio also produced the hit comedy "The Hughleys," which is in its second season in domestic syndication. Janollari and his producing partner Robert Greenblatt were honored at the Inaugural Producers Guild of America's "Celebration of Diversity" awards program for their ability to broaden the industry's horizons with the production of "Six Feet Under," and they were also awarded the 2004 Producer's Guild's Norman Felton Award for Excellence in Producing. Prior to his work as an executive at Warner Bros. Television, Janollari was the director of comedy development at the Fox Broadcasting Company.





  [june 2004]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· AMERICAN FAMILY (PBS)
· DREW CAREY SHOW, THE (ABC)
· EVE (UPN)
· FRIENDS (NBC)
· HUGHLEYS, THE (UPN)
· JAMIE FOXX SHOW, THE (WB)
· ONE ON ONE (UPN)
· SIX FEET UNDER (HBO)
· SUDDENLY SUSAN (NBC)





[05/14/26 - 11:10 AM]
TLC Introduces "Little Singles" A New Relationship Series About Love, Friendship, and Life Without Limits
The new relationship series follows a vibrant, tight-knit group of little people for a rare opportunity to date, connect, and build community.

[05/14/26 - 10:34 AM]
FOX Sports Films Announces New Documentary Special "The 500: Immortality at Indy" Premiering May 16 on FOX
Hosted by James Hinchcliffe, the special reveals the defining moments at the Indianapolis 500 that turn drivers into legends.

[05/14/26 - 10:31 AM]
Video: "Bad Thoughts" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Tom Segura unleashes hilarious chaos with a fresh set of twisted tales from the darkest recesses of his imagination.

[05/14/26 - 10:07 AM]
"Rooster" Capped Off a Standout First Season, Becoming HBO's Most-Watched Comedy Debut in Over 15 Years
The series is averaging 6.5 million U.S. viewers per episode, with the finale reaching 2.2 million viewers in its first three days.

[05/14/26 - 10:01 AM]
Home Run! ESPN Scores Most-Consumed College Softball Regular Season on Record
The 2026 campaign featured four of ESPN's eight most-watched regular season games of all-time and delivered a record-high 10 games with more than 500,000 viewers.

[05/14/26 - 10:01 AM]
Kelsey Plum Joins WNBA on Prime as Player Contributor
Throughout the season, Plum will join the WNBA on Prime studio team to help highlight key storylines around the league, provide on-court insight and authentic analysis.

[05/14/26 - 10:00 AM]
BET and Paramount+ to Premiere "Tyler Perry's The Oval" Season 7 on May 20
The 22-episode season will air weekly, concluding on Wednesday, September 30.

[05/14/26 - 09:31 AM]
Video: "Outlast: The Jungle" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this ultimate survival game, the contestants must outlast not only the jungle and its elements but also the psychological and social challenges posed by their fellow competitors.

[05/14/26 - 09:11 AM]
Date Announcement: Hulu's "Never Change!"
In 2008 the graduating class of North Meadows High School had their senior year cut short due to a disastrous tornado. Now in their mid 30's they're being forced to return home and finish high school once and for all.

[05/14/26 - 09:08 AM]
New Season of "Maine Cabin Masters" Premieres May 25 on Magnolia Network
There's no shortage of work for Maine-based builder Chase Morrill, whose specialty is renovating rustic cabins and camps all over the Pine Tree State.

[05/14/26 - 09:01 AM]
Jodie Comer Stars in "The Chain," The New Damon Lindelof Limited Series Based Off the Book by Adrian McKinty
Meet Rachel.

[05/14/26 - 09:00 AM]
Wonder Project to Premiere New Original Series "I Gotta Ask," Hosted by Bestselling Author and Podcast Host Annie F. Downs, on May 28
The first two episodes premiere on May 28, followed by two episodes each on June 4 and June 11.

[05/14/26 - 08:45 AM]
Video: "Jesser's Ultimate Kickoff" - Official Trailer - Tubi Presents
Jesser and friends take on epic, high-energy soccer challenges like goal-scoring contests and mystery pool jumps for the entire family to enjoy!

[05/14/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: Netflix's "Mating Season" Announces Guest Stars and an All New Clip
The world of horny, lovable forest critters gets even wilder adding comedic geniuses as guest stars to the voice cast.

[05/14/26 - 08:00 AM]
BET Enters Microdrama Space with aTwist Partnership Deal to Develop and Distribute Microseries Across Linear and Vertical Platforms
BET will have a limited first-run window of the long-form episodes before moving to aTwist's vertical platform where they will be formatted as microseries.