TCM turning 20 years old next year not interested in chasing for viewers through programming; can't show every classic movie ever made.

TCM (DStv 137) which will be turning 20 years old next year is actually not interested in getting and chasing viewership for the channel and is not trying to get a broad audience to tune in to the niche channel, Turner Classic Movies revealed at the TCM Classic Film Festival in Los Angeles.

In a TCM panel discussion, channel executives revealed that the classic movies channel is not trying to change the formulae to attract bigger audiences as it nears its 20th anniversary in April 2014.

"We don't get ratings. We're not even allowed to get ratings," said Charlie Tabesh, the vice president of programming for TCM in America who've been with the channel for 16 years. "We're not trying to reach a broad audience. We're not trying to maximize the demo. We're not trying to get the 18-34, whatever it is. There's none of that that's considered at all."

TCM also explained why it can't show every classic movie ever made. TCM only has the (pre-1986) MGM library, the pre-1950 Warner Bros. library, the entire RKO library and some United Artists and a few MGM films (since the two merged for a while). TCM however doesn't have ownership but has to license the movies along with all other films shown on the channel.

"We can't license every classic movie ever made; financially, it's impossible to do that," said Charlie Tabesh.

BREAKING. Giorgio Stock appointed as president of Turner Broadcasting System for Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Giorgio Stock has been appointed as president of Turner Broadcasting System for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region (EMEA), starting from 1 April.

Giorgio Stock will over see Turner Broadcasting System International's entire portfolio of entertainment and kids' networks in this region which means that he will be overall in charge of the channels South African and African viewers see on MultiChoice's DStv like The Cartoon Network, Boomerang, TCM and CNN International.

"Opportunities abound to expand our brands and franchises across both existing and emerging platforms and to build the foundations for new consumer relevant propositions," says Giorgio Stock in a press statement.

Giorgio Stock's appointment and his statement of wanting to expands the Turner brands across existing and emergin platforms, comes as Turner Broadcasting System EMEA pulled its set of Turner channels - Showtime, Silver and Star! from the new TopTV pay-TV service in South Africa without any public explanation.

Turner Broadcasting Systems EMEA is also cutting 30% or 250 people for the EMEA region.

TopTV says pay-TV operator is 'doing everything we can' to find replacement channels after Turner pulls Star, Showtime and Silver channels.

TopTV says the struggling South African pay-TV operator is doing everything it can to find replacement channels in the place of Silver, Star and Showtime which was yanked from the operator's line-up at the start of 2013.

Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) which also runs channels such as TCM, Boomerang, Cartoon Network and CNN International on MultiChoice's DStv, pulled Silver, Showtime and Star on 31 December 2012 from On Digital Media's TopTV and refused to give the South African TV industry or TopTV subscribers a reason or any explanation.

TopTV CEO Eddie Mbalo tells me that "TopTV is doing everything we can to replace the channels and yes, we are talking to other possible suppliers".

Turner Broadcasting System International to cut its staff for Africa, Europe and the Middle East by 30% or roughly 250 people.

Turner Broadcasting System International (TBS International) will cut 30% or roughly 250 people of its staff at its business unit looking after Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. The majority of TBS International's EMEA staff is based in London.

The news of the job cuts follows TBS International yanking all of Turner's TV channels from On Digital Media's (ODM) TopTV pay-TV platform at the end of December 2012. No reason was given and Turner given an opportunity to talk about why, refused to give South African pay-TV subscriber any reasons or explanations.

Turner Broadcasting still runs TV channels such as TCM, Cartoon Network, Boomerang and CNN International on MultiChoice's DStv platform in South Africa and Africa and has a total of 17 branded TV channels in the EMEA region in 100 territories.

Rani Raad part of the senior management who looks specifically after Africa, the Middle East and Turkey as senior vice president and managing director, remains and he remains as senior vice president for CNN International as well.

The big downsizing follows a review process for Turner International's EMEA business which was started in September. "This review required us taking some tough decisions, but they are absolutely necessary to put Turner International in the best possible position for future growth," said Gerhard Zeiler who became the president of TBS International.