Warner Bros. coalesces with Discovery, rebranding as 'Warner Bros.' and 'Discovery Global'
Warner Bros. Discovery, a media giant delivering content to 1.1 billion unique viewers in 68 local languages across 200 countries and territories, has announced plans to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies by mid-2026. The two new companies will be named Warner Bros. and Discovery Global.
The split aims to create two more focused media businesses, separating streaming and studio content from traditional cable and linear network assets. Warner Bros., led by David Zaslav as CEO, will focus on growth in streaming and studio content, encompassing Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, HBO Max, Warner Bros. Gaming Studios, and WBD's film and television libraries.
On the other hand, Discovery Global, under the leadership of Gunnar Wiedenfels as CEO, will concentrate on steady cash flow from its traditional networks and global channels. The company will include worldwide entertainment, sports, and news television brands such as CNN, TNT Sports, Discovery, and top free-to-air channels across Europe. It will also include digital products like Discovery+ streaming service and Bleacher Report.
Key executive appointments have been made for both companies. In Warner Bros., Pam Abdy will serve as Co-Chair and CEO of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, Casey Bloys as chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max, and Bruce Campbell as COO. Discovery Global, meanwhile, will have Ryan Gould and Bobby Voltaggio as presidents for U.S. ad sales, Fulvia Nicoli as executive vice president for content strategy and insights, and Scott Miller as president for distribution, among others.
Notable executives in the split-off Warner Bros. include Channing Dungey as chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. TV Group, James Gunn and Peter Safran as co-chairmen and CEOs of DC Studios, and Avi Saxena as the chief technology officer. Discovery Global is looking to hire a chief communications and public affairs officer, while Warner Bros. is currently searching for a CFO for the new company.
The split will be a pro-rata, tax-free spin-off to shareholders, with Warner Bros. targeting growth in streaming and studio content, and Discovery Global emphasizing steady cash flow from its traditional networks and global channels. The separation of these two companies is expected to take place in mid-2026.
- Warner Bros., with David Zaslav as CEO, aims to expand in streaming and studio content, encompassing digital products like HBO Max and WBD's film and television libraries.
- The new Warner Bros. will also oversee Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, Warner Bros. Gaming Studios, and will be led by Pam Abdy, Casey Bloys, and Bruce Campbell in key executive positions.
- Discovery Global, under Gunnar Wiedenfels' leadership, will rely on its traditional networks and global channels, including brands like CNN, TNT Sports, Discovery, and top free-to-air channels across Europe.
- Digital products such as Discovery+ streaming service and Bleacher Report will also be part of Discovery Global's assets, with executive appointments including Ryan Gould and Bobby Voltagels for U.S. ad sales, Fulvia Nicoli for content strategy and insights, and Scott Miller for distribution.
- The split will dose Warner Bros. focus on growth in digital media technology, targeting content in 68 local languages across 200 countries and territories for broadcast on television and streaming platforms in HD, 8K, and other digital formats.
- Discovery Global, on the other hand, will seek a steady cash flow from its extensive global media empire, leveraging its convergent business model in finance, technology, and digital media.
- The separation, expected to take place in mid-2026, will be a pro-rata, tax-free spin-off, allowing shareholders to own equal parts of both companies as they embark on their independent journeys in media content creation and distribution.
