Richard Plepler

Richard Plepler
Name	Richard Plepler
Birth date	1958
Birth place	Bronx, New York City
Occupation	Television executive, producer
Known for	Chairman and CEO of HBO

Richard Plepler

Richard Plepler is an American television executive and producer who served as chairman and chief executive officer of Home Box Office (HBO) from 2013 to 2019. Known for shepherding premium television series and expanding international and streaming initiatives, he played a central role in the development and promotion of high-profile programs and talent across television and film industries. His tenure at HBO overlapped with major shifts in media consolidation, streaming competition, and global distribution.

Early life and education

Plepler was born in the Bronx, New York City in 1958 into a family of Puerto Rican and Jewish heritage. He attended Bronx High School of Science before enrolling at the State University of New York at Oneonta where he studied political science. After graduating, he moved to New York City and began work at Hearst Communications-owned outlets, later joining organizations involved with magazine and television publishing that connected him to figures at Time Warner and WarnerMedia.

Career

Plepler began his media career in the 1980s in circulation and marketing roles, working with companies such as Esquire (magazine) and New York Magazine. He joined Home Box Office in 1989, initially in marketing and sales where he worked alongside executives from Warner Bros. and Time Inc. to position HBO as a premium brand. Over the 1990s and 2000s Plepler ascended through programming and original content development, collaborating with showrunners and creators associated with series on HBO and negotiating talent deals involving producers from Village Roadshow Pictures and Imagine Entertainment.

Plepler's career at HBO intertwined with major industry deals, including corporate relationships with Time Warner, AT&T, and later WarnerMedia, as the company navigated mergers, distribution agreements with cable operators such as Comcast and DirecTV, and the rise of over-the-top services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. He played a strategic role in positioning HBO Originals to compete with streaming entrants and worked with international partners including Sky Group and distributors across Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

Leadership at HBO

Promoted to chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max-related operations, Plepler oversaw the network's creative strategy, greenlighting series and fostering relationships with creators, showrunners, and talent such as David Chase, David Simon, Vince Gilligan, Alan Ball, and Shonda Rhimes. Under his leadership, HBO launched and supported acclaimed programs tied to major cultural conversations and awards seasons, collaborating with producers from The Weinstein Company and studios including Universal Pictures on cross-media initiatives.

Plepler emphasized a "boutique" approach to premium programming, favoring auteur-driven series and event television while expanding international co-productions with broadcasters like Sky Atlantic and streaming partners including Hulu in certain markets. During his tenure HBO navigated subscriber growth, peak distribution through traditional operators such as Charter Communications and Cox Communications, and the controversy surrounding high-profile series and executive decisions. He also worked on HBO's foray into direct-to-consumer streaming, setting groundwork for services that competed with Disney+ and Apple TV+.

His leadership period included collaboration on large-scale productions involving talent from Hollywood, partnerships with networks such as BBC for co-productions, and participation in industry events including Cannes Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. Plepler departed HBO amid industry consolidation and strategic shifts in 2019.

Philanthropy and board memberships

Plepler has been active in philanthropic efforts and on boards connected to arts, education, and public health. He has supported institutions such as Museum of Modern Art, Lincoln Center, and nonprofit organizations involved in arts funding and community services across New York City and nationally. He has served on advisory boards related to television and media education, collaborating with entities like Columbia University School of the Arts and industry groups such as the Peabody Awards board and other cultural institutions.

His charitable activities include involvement with healthcare and children's organizations, working with foundations and donor networks that intersect with other media executives and philanthropists from Silicon Valley and Hollywood. Plepler's board memberships have occasionally brought him into contact with corporate boards and advisory councils linked to Time Warner predecessors and entertainment trade organizations.

Personal life

Plepler resides in New York City and has been noted for maintaining close professional relationships with creators and executives across Los Angeles and New York. He is married and has engaged in civic and cultural patronage typical of senior media executives, participating in galas, fundraisers, and industry award ceremonies. His personal network includes leaders from television, film, publishing houses like Condé Nast, and technology companies shaping streaming distribution.

Awards and recognition

During and after his tenure at HBO, Plepler received industry recognition from trade publications and award bodies. He has been listed in annual rankings by organizations such as The Hollywood Reporter and Variety for influence in entertainment and was associated with programs that earned Primetime Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Peabody Awards. His stewardship of HBO's creative output contributed to critical acclaim at festivals including Sundance Film Festival and recognition from institutions like the Writers Guild of America.

Category:American television executives Category:People from the Bronx