Epix is getting a new boss: MGM has recruited Michael Wright, who recently stepped down as CEO of Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners, has been named president of premium cable network.
Wright’s appointment comes after Mark Greenberg exited as Epix’s president and CEO after nearly 10 years at the helm of the venture he helped form. Wright will start on Dec. 4, based at MGM’s headquarters in Los Angeles, reporting to Gary Barber, chairman and CEO of MGM.
Wright will oversee Epix’s original programming, leading creative and marketing efforts. Business operations will continue to be overseen by Monty Sarhan, EVP and GM for Epix, who will also work with Chris Ottinger, MGM’s president of worldwide television distribution and acquisitions, on all distribution matters.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michael into the MGM family,” Barber said in a statement. “His television industry experience and creative instincts are the perfect combination to help us execute on our original content strategy for Epix and drive additional value creation for MGM overall.”
Epix’s executive shuffle comes after MGM reached a $1 billion deal to buy out the stakes of Lionsgate and Paramount Pictures in the venture. The three studios had formed Epix in 2008.
Wright helped launch Amblin Partners in 2015, overseeing the company’s recently released films including “The Girl on the Train,” “Office Christmas Party” and “A Dog’s Purpose” as well as preparing upcoming films “The Post,” “Ready Player One,” and “The House with a Clock in its Walls” starring Jack Black and Cate Blanchett.
Prior to joining DreamWorks Studios in 2014, Wright was president, head of programming for TBS, TNT, and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). During his tenure at Turner, Wright shepherded through numerous series including “The Closer,” “Into the West,” “Southland,” “Men of a Certain Age” and “Falling Skies” for TNT, and “Conan,” “My Boys,” “Cougar Town” and “Angie Tribeca” for TBS.
Wright, in a statement provided by MGM, said, “Epix, under MGM’s ownership, is strongly positioned to excel as a provider of engaging, entertaining original content. This is an exciting time in our business, and I’m looking forward to working with Gary, the Epix and MGM teams, to bring the best storytelling voices to the network and move Epix into the next phase of its growth.”
