The Hollywood Reporter Courts Ex-People Editor Jess Cagle to Replace Matt Belloni (Exclusive)

The Hollywood Reporter’s parent company Valence Media has been courting Jess Cagle, the former editor in chief of People and Entertainment Weekly who currently serves as SiriusXM’s chief entertainment anchor, to replace Matt Belloni as THR’s top editor, an insider told TheWrap. Update: Reached by TheWrap, Cagle said he has “not spoken to anyone there” and is “very happy” at SiriusXM. A spokesperson for Valence Media had no comment for this story. But according to an individual with knowledge of the conversations, Cagle is “being discussed” among top Valence executives including co-CEOs Asif Satchu and Modi Wiczyk in the hopes that he will take over the Hollywood trade. The individual also said that discussions have taken place with Cagle. But the job may not be easy to fill given all the bad press generated in the wake of Belloni’s abrupt ouster last week and massive staff cuts this week to THR and sister publications Billboard and Vibe. The atmosphere at Valence was described by this individual as “meltdown mode” as the CEOs deal with the aftermath of dismissing 100 staffers this week, including Publisher Lynne Segall, chief film critic Todd McCarthy and a dozen senior writers and editors. Also Read: 'Bloodbath':...

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