Peter Roth to Leave Warner Bros.

Peter Roth, the longtime Warner Bros. Television executive who oversaw a strategic transformation of the studio’s television operations, will step down from the position early next year, according to media reports.In February, Roth extended his contract with the Burbank entertainment and media company by one year and took on the role of chairman at Warner Bros. TV Group.The Hollywood Reporter and the Los Angeles Times reported that Roth’s leaving Warner Bros. had been in the works for some time.“Working at Warner Bros. has been the greatest, most meaningful, most rewarding experience of my career,” Roth said in a statement.

“For the past 22 years, I have had the privilege to be associated with some of the most inspiring creative talent, the most impactful television series and the most dedicated and passionate people I have ever known. It has long been my dream to be able to say farewell at the right time in the right way and for the right reason.”Roth, 69, joined the company in March 1999 as president of Warner Bros. Television. He previously had worked at Fox Entertainment, Twentieth Television Corp., Stephen J. Cannell Productions and ABC Television Network, where he started his career in 1976.During his time as head of the television group, Roth had 32 scripted primetime series developed that reached the 100-episode milestone. Among them are “The Big Bang Theory,” “Two and a Half Men,” “The West Wing,” “Gilmore Girls,” “Shameless” and “Pretty Little Liars.”Additionally, as a magnet for attracting the best in creative talent, Roth has been behind the signing of a number of exclusive deals with such producers as J.J. Abrams and Katie McGrath’s Bad Robot Productions; Chuck Lorre; Greg Berlanti; Mindy Kaling; Bryan Cranston; and Robert Zemeckis.The Hollywood Reporter said that according to sources, former Netflix vice president and ex-ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey is near a deal to fill Roth’s position at Warner Bros.