Turner Broadcasting is looking to capture some “Breaking Bad,” magic, The Post has learned.
The Atlanta-based media giant is pursuing Sony Pictures TV executive Zack Van Amburg, whose credits include “Breaking Bad,” for AMC and “Justified” for FX, sources said.
The executive has already worked with Turner supplying shows “Franklin and Bash” to TNT and comedy “Men at Work,” to TBS, according to his biography.
Turner has reached out to Van Amburg to sound out his interest in the role, sources told The Post. However, Van Amburg just signed a new contract in April and might find it difficult to leave, industry executives said.
Van Amburg had expressed a desire to do something more entrepreneurial before signing his new deal in the spring. Van Amburg did not return The Post’s call for comment.
Turner needs a successful program maker to fill the gaping hole in its entertainment division. To underscore that need, CEO John Martin is said to be very involved in the hiring process for the crucial position. Former Fox network programmer Kevin Reilly could still figure as a possible candidate, too, according to reports.
Turner parted ways with Steve Koonin, the company’s top programmer, in April when he left to join the Atlanta Hawks as CEO.
In addition, Michael Wright, president of entertainment at TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies, is heading for the exit, Deadline reported last week.
Wright had asked to be taken out of contention for his former boss’s role. That leaves open two major roles for Martin to fill at a crucial time.
Van Amburg is co-president of programming and production at Sony Pictures TV, where he works in partnership with Jamie Erlicht. Their other credits include such buzzworthy shows as AMC’s upcoming “Better Call Saul” and Showtime’s “Masters of Sex.”
Turner had no comment.