WarnerMedia Taps Lionsgate and Fox Execs for Streaming Service

AT&T’s WarnerMedia is ramping up hiring and programming efforts for its upcoming streaming service, as it prepares to go head to head with Netflix, Amazon and Disney.

To help develop new shows for the service, WarnerMedia has hired Jennifer O’Connell, the former executive vice president of alternative programming at Lionsgate, and is finalizing the hiring of Suzanna Makkos, the former executive vice president of comedy programming at Fox, said people familiar with the situation. Both will report to Sarah Aubrey, who oversees original content for WarnerMedia and reports to Kevin Reilly, the chief creative officer of WarnerMedia’s direct-to-consumer business, which oversees the new service.