Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has confirmed the brand names, structure, and top executives for the two businesses it will form as part of its planned separation, first announced in 2023.
The restructure, expected to be finalised by mid-2026, aims to provide more flexibility in response to the ongoing shift from traditional broadcast television to streaming and digital platforms.
The two newly created companies will be Warner Bros., focusing on studios and streaming, and Discovery Global, which will oversee the company’s global cable networks and associated digital properties.
Warner Bros. operates services in Australia – including streaming service HBO Max and linear Discovery channels, which have carriage on Fetch TV.
There is no official comment on how local staff will be impacted. Mediaweek has reached out to the company’s Australian division for more answers.
Warner Bros. to focus on content and streaming growth
The newly defined Warner Bros. business will include Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, HBO Max, Warner Bros. Gaming Studios, and the company’s film and television libraries. The naming, the company said, reflects “the legacy of more than a century of industry-defining storytelling.”
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav will lead the Warner Bros. business.
In a statement, he said: “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 added: “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.”
CEO David Zaslav and Discovery Global’s Gunnar Wiedenfels
Discovery Global to manage networks and free-to-air assets
Discovery Global will operate the company’s cable and broadcast networks, including CNN, TNT Sports in the U.S., Discovery Channel, Discovery+, Bleacher Report, and free-to-air channels in Europe.
Gunnar Wiedenfels, currently WBD’s CFO, will become CEO of Discovery Global.
He said in a statement: “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.”
The company said it is still recruiting for the Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer for Discovery Global.
Executive appointments across both entities
Each company will be staffed with a mix of continuing WBD leaders, many of whom will remain in comparable roles under new titles:
At Warner Bros.
Bruce Campbell will serve as Chief Operating Officer (currently Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer).
Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca will be co-chairs and CEOs of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group.
James Gunn and Peter Safran will be co-chairmen and CEOs of DC Studios.
Casey Bloys continues as Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max.
Channing Dungey will serve as Chair and CEO of Warner Bros. TV Group.
JB Perrette becomes CEO and President of Streaming and Games.
Avi Saxena will report to Perrette as Chief Technology Officer.
Robert Gibbs will serve as Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer.
The company is also conducting searches for its Chief Financial Officer and Chief People & Culture Officer for Warner Bros.
At Discovery Global
In addition to Wiedenfels at the helm, further direct reports and senior appointments will be announced in the lead-up to the spin-off’s completion.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav
A response to industry shifts
The split mirrors industry trends, notably Comcast’s decision to spin off NBCUniversal’s cable assets into a standalone company named Versante, which is expected to complete by year’s end.
Both companies are responding to the long-term decline of linear TV and the accelerating migration of audiences to on-demand and streaming platforms.
By separating its streaming and studio assets from its traditional TV business, WBD is positioning each entity to operate with greater strategic focus and operational autonomy in an increasingly segmented media landscape.