HBO CEO Richard Plepler Resigns Following AT&T, Time Warner Merger

HBO CEO Richard Plepler has resigned -- or became an unwilling casualty -- of what appears to be the start of a bloody restructuring of the company under new parent AT&T-Time Warner.

An internal HBO memo obtained by some media outlets revealed the resignation of Plepler, who has been with HBO for 28 years. Plepler joined HBO 18 years after the company was founded in 1972.

HBO is the oldest and longest continuously operating pay TV service (basic or premium) in the U.S. It was a division of AT&T's WarnerMedia before the AT&T-Time Warner merger in 2018.

As CEO, Plepler had led the company to become one of the market leaders in streaming video on demand. AT&T’s purchase of Time Warner for $84.5 billion ignited what appears to be a culture clash between the senior management at both firms.

A reliable insider source said Plepler is leaving because his powers would have been severely curtailed under the new structure being put in place by AT&T.

Media reports also said WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey clashed continuously with HBO bosses (including Plepler) over his demand for more content. There are also reports that former NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt is talking to Stankey for a position where Greenblatt will oversee HBO, Turner, and WarnerMedia’s new direct-to-consumer service. Greenblatt might replace Plepler as HBO CEO.

A senior executive at WarnerMedia revealed that Plepler and Turner president David Levy are alarmed at WarnerMedia’s intention to make changes that will combine HBO and Turner. Mass firings at both units will be one result of this merger.

Plepler served as HBO co-president from 2007 to 2012 before being promoted to chairman and CEO upon the retirement of Bill Nelson. During his time at HBO, Plepler approved hit shows such as “Game of Thrones,” “Veep,” “True Blood,” and “The Newsroom.” As CEO, he also oversaw the launch of streaming platforms HBO Go and HBO Now.

Plepler broke the news of his resignation to HBO staff in a memo. As regards his leaving the company he’s been with for 28 years, Plepler said “it is the right time for me to do so.”

“In the past weeks, I’ve thought a lot about the incredible journey of this company in the nearly 28 years that I have been blessed to be here.”

For his part, Stankey said Plepler “is one of the most successful executives in our industry and I have been fortunate to have his support over the last months. His vision, energy and passion helped to elevate HBO’s brand to what it has become today.

“Richard’s impact to our business and on the passionate viewers of HBO’s enduring programming will continue to be felt for years.”