Warner Bros. Studios and Discovery Inc. to Redesign as 'Warner Bros.' and 'Discovery Global' Respective Brands
Warner Bros. Discovery, the media conglomerate, has announced plans to separate into two publicly traded companies by mid-2026. The two companies will be named Warner Bros. and Discovery Global, each focusing on distinct areas of the media industry.
The newly created Warner Bros. will encompass the "Streaming & Studios" division, including Warner Bros. Television, Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, HBO Max, and Warner Bros. Gaming Studios. This division will also be responsible for the company's film and television libraries.
David Zaslav, the current President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, will lead the Warner Bros. company as President and CEO. Key executives in the split-off Warner Bros. include:
- Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca as Co-Chairs and CEOs of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group
- Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max
- Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group
- James Gunn and Peter Safran, Co-Chairmen and CEOs of DC Studios
- JB Perrette, Streaming and Games lead
- Bruce Campbell, COO
- Priya Aiyar, Chief Legal Officer
- Robert Gibbs, Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer
- Avi Saxena, CTO
The company is still recruiting for Chief Financial Officer and Chief People & Culture Officer roles.
Discovery Global, on the other hand, will consist of the "Global Networks," including entertainment, sports, and news channels such as CNN, TNT Sports, Discovery, and Discovery+ streaming service. This division will deliver content to over 1.1 billion unique viewers in 68 local languages across 200 countries and territories.
Gunnar Wiedenfels will serve as President and CEO of Discovery Global. Other key executives include:
- Fraser Woodford, Chief Financial Officer
- Gerhard Zeiler, President, U.S., U.K. and Germany, Discovery+, and Chief Content Officer
- Fernando Medin, President, International
- Ryan Gould, President, U.S. ad sales GTM
- Luis Silberwasser, Chairman and CEO, TNT Sports
- Kasia Kieli, President and MD, Poland, and CEO, TVN
- Amy Girdwood, Chief People and Culture Officer
- Anil Jhingan, Chief Development Officer
- Scott Miller, President, Distribution
- Fulvia Nicoli, Executive Vice President, Content Strategy and Insights
Discovery Global delivers content to 1.1 billion viewers worldwide, making it a significant player in the global media landscape. The leadership team at both companies is committed to bringing culture-defining stories, characters, and entertainment to audiences around the world.
This restructuring marks a strategic pivot for Warner Bros. Discovery, aiming for operational focus and long-term value creation. Warner Bros. will focus on scalable streaming and studio content, while Discovery Global will focus on global networks and sports.
[1] WarnerMedia [2] Variety [4] The Hollywood Reporter
- Warner Bros. Discovery plans to separate into two companies, Warner Bros. and Discovery Global, by mid-2026, each focusing on distinct areas of the media industry.
- The newly created Warner Bros. will encompass the "Streaming & Studios" division, including Warner Bros. Television, Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, HBO Max, and Warner Bros. Gaming Studios.
- David Zaslav, the current President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, will lead the Warner Bros. company as President and CEO.
- Discovery Global, on the other hand, will consist of the "Global Networks," including entertainment, sports, and news channels such as CNN, TNT Sports, Discovery, and Discovery+ streaming service.
- Gunnar Wiedenfels will serve as President and CEO of Discovery Global, delivering content to 1.1 billion viewers worldwide.
- The leadership teams at both companies are committed to bringing culture-defining stories, characters, and entertainment to audiences around the world.
- The restructuring aims for operational focus and long-term value creation, with Warner Bros. focusing on scalable streaming and studio content, while Discovery Global will focus on global networks and sports. [Sources: 1, 2, 4]
