Rovner, Paul replace Erwich at Warner Horizon

Warner Bros. has promoted a pair of high-ranking executives to replace Craig Erwich as co-presidents of Warner Horizon Scripted Television.

Warner Bros. Television’s executive VP, development Susan Rover and WBTV executive VP Brett Paul will now lead the unit, which focuses on scripted programming for the US cable market.

They replace Erwich, who left his post as executive VP, Warner Horizon earlier this month after more than six years in the job. Former Fox alternative boss Mike Darnell heads up Warner Horizon’s unscripted efforts having joined in August has year as president, unscripted and alternative television.

Rovner and Paul will continue with their old roles alongside the new gig, which will see them report into WBTV Group president and chief content officer Peter Roth.

Alongside her existing duties, Rovner will now lead development and programming of the studio’s scripted series for the cable marketplace, while Paul will head up business operations, including production, business and legal affairs, operations, finance and administration.

“As we looked at our business, with more and more of our creative talent working in both broadcast and cable, it made perfect sense to align all of our primetime scripted development and operational activities under the supervision of these two talented executives,” said Roth.

He called Rovner “one of the brightest and most accomplished development executives in the entertainment industry” and praised Paul’s “skills as a top negotiator and strategic business advisor”.

“Together, they form a true creative and business dream team to co-run Warner Horizon Scripted Television and lead the division into the future,” he added.

Warner Horizon’s scripted efforts include ABC Family drama Pretty Little Liars, Longmire for A&E, Rizzoli & Isles for TNT and upcoming Lifetime drama The Lottery.