Warner Bros. Discovery is on the cusp of breaking itself into two entities, with acquisition bids from Netflix and Paramount Skydance set to be finalized. The company's most valuable businesses - streaming, studios and global networks - will be overseen by a new team of executives, who are emerging as pivotal figures in the entertainment industry.
At the forefront is David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, who would continue to lead the Warner Bros. side if the split proceeds. On the other hand, David Wiedenfels, CFO, will be at the helm of the new division, Discovery Global. The latter's portfolio includes HBO and its streaming service.
Among key executives steering these assets are:
Mike De Luca and Pamela Abdy, Co-Chair and Co-CEO of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, overseeing global theatrical production and marketing for the studio's film operations.
Peter Safran and James Gunn, Co-Chairman and Co-CEO of DC Studios, responsible for charting the long-term creative direction of DC's film, television, and animation slate.
Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. TV Group, overseeing all animation, live-action scripted and unscripted television operations under WBD's banner.
Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max, leading the production of high-profile content such as Euphoria, The White Lotus, and The Last of Us.
JB Perrette, CEO and President of Streaming and Games, overseeing the technical and strategic rollout of WBD's streaming platforms and gaming initiatives.
Gerhard Zeiler, President of WBD International, steering the company's global brands and direct-to-consumer strategy across more than 220 markets.
Luis Silberwasser, Chairman and CEO of TNT Sports, leading one of the most valuable sports-rights portfolios in the U.S.
Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, overseeing all CNN content and operations around the world under the WBD banner.
Kasia Kieli, CEO of TVN, guiding WBD's Polish portfolio through a shifting media and regulatory landscape.
At the forefront is David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, who would continue to lead the Warner Bros. side if the split proceeds. On the other hand, David Wiedenfels, CFO, will be at the helm of the new division, Discovery Global. The latter's portfolio includes HBO and its streaming service.
Among key executives steering these assets are:
Mike De Luca and Pamela Abdy, Co-Chair and Co-CEO of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, overseeing global theatrical production and marketing for the studio's film operations.
Peter Safran and James Gunn, Co-Chairman and Co-CEO of DC Studios, responsible for charting the long-term creative direction of DC's film, television, and animation slate.
Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. TV Group, overseeing all animation, live-action scripted and unscripted television operations under WBD's banner.
Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max, leading the production of high-profile content such as Euphoria, The White Lotus, and The Last of Us.
JB Perrette, CEO and President of Streaming and Games, overseeing the technical and strategic rollout of WBD's streaming platforms and gaming initiatives.
Gerhard Zeiler, President of WBD International, steering the company's global brands and direct-to-consumer strategy across more than 220 markets.
Luis Silberwasser, Chairman and CEO of TNT Sports, leading one of the most valuable sports-rights portfolios in the U.S.
Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, overseeing all CNN content and operations around the world under the WBD banner.
Kasia Kieli, CEO of TVN, guiding WBD's Polish portfolio through a shifting media and regulatory landscape.
I'm low-key hyped about this potential split tho! It's been feeling like Warner Bros. Discovery is stuck in neutral for ages. A new team at the helm could bring some fresh ideas to the table 
. David Wiedenfels seems like a solid pick to lead the Discovery Global side, considering HBO's got some amazing content under his wing 
. The move also gives these execs a chance to really focus on what they do best – I'm excited to see the impact Mike De Luca and Pamela Abdy will make at Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group 
. Warner Bros. Discovery is basically splitting itself into two separate entities which sounds like it'll be super complicated to manage. With Netflix and Paramount Skydance throwing their hats into the ring, it's only gonna get more chaotic 
. David Zaslav and David Wiedenfels are looking like they're gonna be in charge of the different teams but I'm not sure how that's gonna all work together 
. The thought of all these execs juggling their different jobs is just making me anxious 
Are we truly becoming the versions of ourselves that we're meant to be, or are we just breaking down into manageable parts? 
I mean, David Zaslav and his team are gonna keep Warner Bros. Discovery whole on one side, but then there's this new kid, Discovery Global, with HBO at its helm... it's like two different puzzle pieces trying to fit together seamlessly. 
And what about all these key execs? Are they just pawns in a bigger game or do they have the power to create their own destiny? 
I'm reminded of that old phrase "the map is not the territory"... it feels like we're trying to define ourselves through our roles and titles, but are those really who we want to be? 
david zaslav is still leading warner bros but david wiedenfels is like the new big cheese over discovery global with hbo and all that... it's like they're trying to create these mini-companies within a company now. 
peter safran and james gunn are in charge of dc stuff which is cool i guess for comic book fans 
. And let's not forget about the streaming platforms - JB Perrette is like the genius behind WBD's gaming initiatives 
. This split is gonna have a ripple effect on everything from movies to TV shows to sports rights... I'm excited (and a little nervous 
) to see how it all plays out!
guess thats where the $$$ come in tho 
... i mean, they're already huge in the entertainment space. but at the same time, it might be good for innovation 
but having some fresh blood at discovery global could be a good thing 
. tbh, i'm just curious to see how this all plays out 
. It's gonna be interesting to see how all these execs work together – fingers crossed they can make some magic happen! 