Warner Bros. Discovery has unveiled the corporate names and senior leadership teams for when the company separates into two separate entities, expected to be completed in mid-2026. The new publicly traded companies will be Warner Bros. (streaming and studios) and Discovery Global (comprising TV networks, Discovery+ and other assets).
The “Streaming & Studios” company, which will house Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, HBO Max and Warner Bros. Gaming Studios, as well as their film and TV libraries, will be called “Warner Bros.” According to WBD, that’s in “honoring the legacy of more than a century of industry-defining storytelling.”
“Global Networks,” which will include WBD’s entertainment, sports and news TV brands worldwide including CNN, Discovery, TNT Sports in the U.S., and free-to-air channels across Europe as well as digital products such as the Discovery+ streamer and Bleacher Report (B/R), will be called Discovery Global. That name, according to WBD, was selected “in recognition of the affinity and value this name has around the world in entertainment, news and sports.”
As previously announced, Warner Bros. will be led by president and CEO David Zaslav, currently president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery. The TV-centric Discovery Global will be headed by Gunnar Wiedenfels, currently CFO of Warner Bros. Discovery, who will serve as president and CEO.
Following the split, Zaslav’s new employment agreement as CEO of Warner Bros. will “significantly reduce his target annual compensation,” the company said last month. Wiedenfels’ pay package will be upped from his existing CFO compensation “to reflect his expanded responsibilities” as chief exec of Discovery Global.
Fraser Woodford, currently Warner Bros. Discovery’s executive VP, treasury, investments and real estate, will become CFO of Discovery Global with the completion of the separation.
Warner Bros. has begun searches for both the CFO and head of HR roles, while Discovery Global is looking to hire a chief communications and public affairs officer, according to Monday’s announcement.
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“We will proudly continue the more than century-long legacy of Warner Bros. through our commitment to bringing culture-defining stories, characters and entertainment to audiences around the world,” Zaslav said in a statement. “Over the past several years, we have made important strides across the business, launching and investing in a profitable, global streaming service and reinvigorating our studios to return them again to an industry leading position. With our unmatched portfolio of storytelling IP coupled with our incredible creative partners, and now an executive team of proven, bold and committed creative and corporate leaders, we are in a strong position to launch and continue to meaningfully grow a company worthy of our storied past.”
Other top execs at Warner Bros. following the split are set to include:
- Pam Abdy, co-chair and CEO, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group
- Mike De Luca, co-chair and CEO, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group
- JB Perrette, CEO and president of streaming and games
- Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO, HBO and HBO Max
- James Gunn, co-chairman and CEO, DC Studios
- Peter Safran, co-Chairman and CEO, DC Studios
- Bruce Campbell, chief operating officer
- Channing Dungey, chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. TV Group
- Priya Aiyar, chief legal officer
- Robert Gibbs, chief communications and public affairs officer
- Lori Locke, chief accounting officer (reporting to the CFO)
- Avi Saxena, chief technology officer (reporting to Perrette)
The Discovery Global leadership team includes:
- Gerhard Zeiler, president, U.S., U.K. & Germany, Discovery+ and chief content officer
- Fraser Woodford, CFO
- David Duvall, chief technology officer
- Amy Girdwood, chief people & culture officer
- Ryan Gould, president, U.S. ad sales GTM (reporting to Zeiler)
- Anil Jhingan, chief development officer
- Kasia Kieli, president and managing director, Poland, and TVN CEO
- Fernando Medin, president, international
- Scott Miller, president, distribution (reporting to Zeiler)
- Fulvia Nicoli, executive VP, content strategy and insights (reporting to Zeiler)
- Brian Rauch, chief accounting officer (reporting to Woodford)
- Luis Silberwasser, chairman and CEO, TNT Sports
- Mark Thompson, chairman and CEO, CNN Worldwide
- Sue Underwald, chief legal officer
- Bobby Voltaggio, president, U.S. ad sales platform monetization (reporting to Zeiler)
Wiedenfels commented: “As we prepare for the launch of Discovery Global, our enthusiasm for the opportunities ahead only grows thanks to our leading portfolio of beloved brands and programming, our worldwide footprint for adults, kids and families, and now the experienced and talented leadership team who will ensure strong operational execution to drive strategic investments and deliver compelling content to global audiences.”
Pictured top: David Zaslav, Gunnar Wiedenfels
From Variety US