Warner Bros. Animation Stunner: Sam Register Departs Top Studio Roles

Sam Register, the long-serving head of Warner Bros. animation, is set to depart from his role next week as his contract expires. The announcement was made by Channing Dungey, Warner Bros. TV Group chair, in a memo to staffers. Dungey stated that she and Register had “mutually agreed not to renew his contract,” marking the end of his tenure as president of Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe.

Register expressed his sentiments in a statement shared by Dungey, saying, “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.” He reflected on his time, calling it an “amazing ride” and extended his sincere thanks to his colleagues, acknowledging the “incredible things” they built together. Register concluded by wishing everyone the best and expressing excitement for future possibilities.

Channing Dungey acknowledged that the news of Register’s exit might come as a surprise to many. A search is currently underway to find his replacement. In the interim, Matt Matzkin will continue to oversee business operations, while the creative department heads will manage their respective areas. These leaders include Jay Bastian (current series), Jason DeMarco (anime and action series), Audrey Diehl (kids and family), Sarah Fell (Hanna-Barbera Studios, U.K.), Peter Girardi (alternative programming/adult), and Sammy Perlmutter (long form and specials).

Register’s career with Warner Bros. Animation spans 18 years, having first joined as a producer in 2007 and then taking over as Executive VP of Creative Affairs in 2008. He expanded his oversight to include Cartoon Network Studios in 2020. His connection to Warner Bros. Discovery extends even further, totaling more than 30 years, as he spent a decade at Cartoon Network before joining Warner Bros. Animation. Beginning his animation journey with Cartoon Network in 1994, Register was instrumental in developing and producing notable animated series such as “Chowder,” “Flapjack,” “Clone Wars,” and “Ben 10.” He also pioneered Cartoon Network’s first website in 1998.

Under Register’s leadership at Warner Bros. Animation, the studio produced a wide array of successful shows, including “Looney Tunes Cartoons,” the “Animaniacs” revival, “Harley Quinn,” “Young Justice,” “Teen Titans Go!,” “Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal,” and “Unikitty!” His influence also reached the big screen, where he executive produced “Teen Titans Go! to the Movies” and the live-action/animated “Tom and Jerry” movie.

The current slate of Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios series includes popular titles such as “Adventure Time: Side Quests,” “Bat-Fam,” “Batman: Caped Crusader,” “Creature Commandos,” “My Adventures With Superman,” “Primal,” “Regular Show: The Lost Tapes,” and “The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball.” Dungey concluded her memo by urging the team to step up, stay focused, and continue delivering the excellence for which the animation studios are renowned, expressing confidence that the superb team will emerge stronger from this transition.