Sam Register, president of Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, is departing after three decades at the company. Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group and U.S. Networks, confirmed the move in a staff memo, citing mutual agreement to part ways.
Sam Register, the long-serving head of Warner Bros. Animation, has left his role as president of the studio, Cartoon Network Studios, and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe. The departure was confirmed by Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group and U.S. Networks, in a staff memo. Dungey stated that Register and the studio mutually agreed not to renew his contract,
with his departure coming as his contract expires.
Sam Register’s Departure and Leadership Transition
Register’s exit follows a career spanning over three decades inside Warner Bros. Discovery, beginning with his work at Cartoon Network in 1994. He joined WBA in November 2007 as a producer with a development and production deal and was named EVP Creative Affairs a year later (taking over in 2008). He was promoted to president in 2014. His leadership oversaw the development of shows like Looney Tunes Cartoons, Harley Quinn, and Young Justice, as well as films such as Teen Titans Go! to the Movies and the live-action/animated Tom and Jerry movie. In a statement shared by Dungey, Register said, It’s time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life, and I’m grateful to have Channing’s support as I exit Warner Bros Animation.
Dungey’s memo outlined the transition, stating that Matt Matzkin will continue to lead Business Operations, while current creative department heads—Jay Bastian (Current Series), Jason DeMarco (Anime & Action Series), Audrey Diehl (Kids & Family), Sarah Fell (Hanna-Barbera Studios, UK), Peter Girardi (Alternative Programming/Adult) and Sammy Perlmutter (Long Form & Specials)—will lead their respective departments. The studio has initiated a search for a replacement. We wish him the best in all future endeavors,
Dungey wrote, emphasizing the enormous contributions
Register made during his 18 years heading up animation efforts.
Career Highlights and Industry Impact
Register’s career at Cartoon Network began in 1994, where he developed and produced animated series such as “Chowder,” “Flapjack,” “Clone Wars” and “Ben 10” and launched Cartoon Network’s first website in 1998. His oversight expanded to include Cartoon Network Studios in 2020. Under Warner Bros. Animation, shows produced under his watch have included Looney Tunes Cartoons, the Animaniacs revival, Harley Quinn, Young Justice, Teen Titans Go!, Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal, Unikitty! and more.
Register’s domain has undergone contraction since Warner Bros Animation’s heyday.
Context of the Paramount Acquisition
It is unclear whether Register’s departure is connected to the transaction.
Deadline reported that the pending acquisition by Paramount, which has its own animation operation and leadership, makes the search for a replacement notable. However, Dungey’s memo did not explicitly address this connection. It’s with mixed emotions that I announce the studio and our head of animation, Sam Register, have mutually agreed not to renew his contract,
she wrote, acknowledging that the news comes as a surprise.
Reactions and Future Implications
Register’s departure has sparked discussions about the future of Warner Bros. Animation amid broader industry shifts. With basic cable on the decline and HBO Max pulling away from kids and family original programming, Register’s domain has undergone contraction since Warner Bros Animation’s heyday.
While the search for Sam’s replacement continues, current creative department heads will maintain their roles, ensuring continuity in projects like Batman: Caped Crusader and My Adventures With Superman. Register’s next steps remain unclear, though he expressed that he is excited to explore all the possibilities in my future.
The transition underscores the changes facing animation studios in a rapidly changing media environment.
