CBS at TCA: Live-Blog

CBS is presenting at the Television Critics Association tour, starting with the network’s executive session. Kelly Kahl, President, CBS Entertainment, is answering questions from critics, so follow along for the updates.

9:01: Kahl starts with an opening statement about the Les Moonves allegations and how it’s impacted the CBS company in the past week. “We are committed to a collaborative, inclusive, safe workplace,” Kahl says. He insists the allegations are being taken seriously.

9:04: “We’d like to figure out a way to maybe make it work,” Kahl says of CODE BLACK’s impressive ratings.

9:06: “I believe we take workplace safety very seriously,” Kahl says. He says they have over 40 shows in production and most are very safe. “Any time any allegation comes up, they are investigated immediately.”

9:07: “Action was taken after that allegation,” Kahl says of executive producer Brad Kern’s harassment allegations.

9:08: “We are in preliminary discussions to renew [THE BIG BANG THEORY],” Kahl says.

9:09: “We’re a large company. I’m confident the culture of the entertainment division is very safe, very collaborative, and very open,” Kahl says. “As I said, when problems pop up, we investigate them.”

9:11: “I don’t believe there’s a one-size-fits-all investigation,” Kahl says. He says there are also ways to anonymously report any kind of harassment reports at the company.

9:13: Kahl points to the large number of female execs at CBS. He says the high level execs are 61% female.

9:16: Kahl says that no matter what, if someone comes to him with a complaint, he has to go to HR. HR would go through the procedures and move forward from there.

9:17: Kern being suspended was due to him being kept out of the workplace while the current investigation is ongoing.

9:19: “I’m very proud of what we’ve done,” Kahl says of CBS embracing inclusivity. “We have record levels of diverse actors on our shows, directors, writers, and I’m very proud of that fact. We’re not done…but we’ve made great strides. We’re a big-tent network, and we want to appeal to as broad of an audience as possible.”

9:21: Kahl hasn’t had “direct” discussions with CBS talent about the Moonves investigation.

9:25: “In cases where there’s a question, we’ve retained outside firms,” Kahl says of HR issues. “The bottom line is to get to the truth.”

9:26: Kahl defends their HR department. “I have great confidence in our HR department.” He says his dealings have been straight-forward when working with them.

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