HBO names new programming chief

HBO named Casey Bloys to replace veteran Michael Lombardo as the pay-cable network's programming president.

Lombardo, a 33-year HBO veteran, has helped the network itself into an original programming power. During his nine-year tenure as program chief, the network has enjoyed success with such series as True Blood, Girls, Veep, Silicon Valley, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Game of Thrones, HBO's biggest audience hit to date, and lured Bill Simmons and Jon Stewart for future projects.

He also has overseen such miniseries as Olive Kitteridge and Generation Kill and many HBO films, including The Normal Heart, Behind the Candelabra, Grey Gardens and Game Change, along with the Cinemax series, The Knick.

HBO recently has hit some bumps, too, with rock-oriented drama Vinyl not yet breaking out; production issues delaying the arrival of much-awaited Westworld; a poorly reviewed second-season of True Detective after an award-winning inaugural outing; and the cancellation of horse-racing drama Luck.

Bloys headed HBO's comedy department until earlier this year, when he was also handed the drama reins after the exit of Michael Ellenberg.  Most recently he was president, comedy and drama series, late night and specials.

HBO's most recent significant programming executive move came early this year, when comedy chief Casey Bloys assumed oversight of drama series and other programming, taking over from departing drama head Michael Ellenberg.

Contributing: Gary Levin