Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Paul Thomas Anderson meet with David Zaslav

Famous directors Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Paul Thomas Anderson held an “emergency meeting” with Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav after recent layoffs at Turner Classic Movies.

The three directors are among Hollywood’s most prominent advocates for film preservation, having spoken out publicly in the past about their support for the cable channel that airs classic movies and even appears at film festivals.

They have argued that the channel is important for connecting film buffs, including future producers and directors, to the history of the medium – and were therefore concerned when Zaslav announced earlier this week that some of its top executives were being fired.

Those layoffs led to speculation among industry insiders that Turner Classic Movies may be shutting down under Zaslav’s leadership while he leaves Warner Bros. Discovery is trying to restructure to attract new talent.

After a phone call with Zaslav, the directors released a statement saying they are “strengthened and encouraged by the conversations we’ve had so far.”

Famous directors Martin Scorsese, left, and Paul Thomas Anderson, right, held an “emergency call” with Zaslav about the layoffs

Along with Steven Spielberg (pictured at the premiere of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny last week), they are among Hollywood’s most prominent advocates for film preservation.

In their statement to deadline, Spielberg, Scorsese and Anderson said: ‘Turner Classic Movies has always been more than a channel. It really is a precious source of cinema, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And while it has never been a financial juggernaut, it has always been a profitable business from the start.

Earlier this week, David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery to discuss restructuring TCM.

“We understand the pressures and realities of a company the size of WBD, of which TCM is a moving part.”

But, the directors said, ‘we’ve talked to David every time, separately and together, and it’s clear that TCM and classic cinema are very important to him.

“Our primary goal is to ensure that TCM’s programming is untouched and protected. We are encouraged and encouraged by the conversations we have had so far, and are committed to working together to ensure the continuation of this cultural touchstone that we all cherish.”

Since Zaslav took over at Warner Bros. Discovery, he tried to restructure the entertainment giant.

He quickly moved to reduce costs in the combined company, projecting $3 billion in cost savings from eliminating layoffs.

One of his biggest moves was to immediately pull the plug on the $300 million CNN+ streaming service just weeks after its launch.

And in October, the company announced Tuesday that it was closing nearly a fifth of its in-house television division.

The layoffs included 82 current employees and 43 unfilled positions in the industry – led by chairman Channing Dungey – representing 19 percent of the workforce and 26 percent of total employees at the time.

In addition to cutting 125 positions, the company also canceled Stage 13 and the Warner Bros. Television Workshop program, two initiatives that supported different voices for writing and directing.

Zaslav (pictured at the world premiere of the 4K restoration of “Rio Bravo) moved quickly to reduce costs in the combined company, with projected $3 billion in cost savings from eliminating layoffs

Several TCM executives were fired amid the cuts, including marketing VP Pola Changnon (left) and content VP Charles Tabesh (right)

That’s what insiders told last month The cover the company would target cable television personnel in its next round of layoffs.

And earlier this week, Warner Bros. Discovery to Turner Classic Movies Executive Vice President and General Manager Pola Changnon, Senior Vice President of Programming and Content Strategy Charles Tabesh, Vice President of Brand Creative and Marketing Dexter Fedor, Vice President of Enterprises and Strategic Partnerships Genevieve McGillicuddy and Vice President of Studio Production Anne Wilson were released.

Staffers from Turner Classic Movie’s public relations department are also expected to be involved in the upcoming cuts.

But Zaslav has apparently maintained his interest in holding Turner Classic Movies just months after telling the audience at the 14th TCM Classic Film Festival, “I’m a fan just like you. If I wasn’t there, I’d be with you.

“I watch Turner Classic Movies all the time,” he said. “It’s the history of our country, the movie.”