Warner Bros Discovery splits streaming from cable TV in latest media shakeup
Warner Bros Discovery said it would split into two publicly traded companies, separating its studios and streaming business from its fading cable television networks as the parent of HBO and CNN looks to compete better in the streaming era.
The breakup is the latest unraveling of decades of media consolidation that created global conglomerates spanning content creation, distribution and, in some cases, telecommunications. It unwinds WarnerMedia and Discovery's 2022 merger, aiming to grow the streaming and studios business without the drag of the declining networks unit.
The new streaming and studios company will include Warner Bros, DC Studios and HBO Max, the crown jewels of WBD's entertainment library.
The networks unit, which will hold up to a 20% stake in its counterpart, will house CNN, TNT Sports and Bleacher Report.
CEO David Zaslav will lead the streaming and studios unit, while CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels will head the networks unit. The separation will be structured as a tax-free transaction and is expected to be completed by mid-2026.
"We've continued to analyse how our industry is evolving," Zaslav told investors.
"The right path forward became increasingly clear, to separate global networks and streaming and studios into two independent, publicly traded companies."
Most of the company's debt would be held by the global networks company. WBD had gross debt of $38bn (R672.6bn) as of March. The company said it secured a $17.5bn (R310bn) bridge loan from JP Morgan that it would use to restructure its debt.
Creditors of WBD are consulting advisers after the entertainment company proposed banning investor cooperation pacts as part of its plan to split, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
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TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Warner Bros Discovery splits streaming from cable TV in latest media shakeup
Warner Bros Discovery said it would split into two publicly traded companies, separating its studios and streaming business from its fading cable television networks as the parent of HBO and CNN looks to compete better in the streaming era. The breakup is the latest unraveling of decades of media consolidation that created global conglomerates spanning content creation, distribution and, in some cases, telecommunications. It unwinds WarnerMedia and Discovery's 2022 merger, aiming to grow the streaming and studios business without the drag of the declining networks unit. The new streaming and studios company will include Warner Bros, DC Studios and HBO Max, the crown jewels of WBD's entertainment library. The networks unit, which will hold up to a 20% stake in its counterpart, will house CNN, TNT Sports and Bleacher Report. CEO David Zaslav will lead the streaming and studios unit, while CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels will head the networks unit. The separation will be structured as a tax-free transaction and is expected to be completed by mid-2026. "We've continued to analyse how our industry is evolving," Zaslav told investors. "The right path forward became increasingly clear, to separate global networks and streaming and studios into two independent, publicly traded companies." Most of the company's debt would be held by the global networks company. WBD had gross debt of $38bn (R672.6bn) as of March. The company said it secured a $17.5bn (R310bn) bridge loan from JP Morgan that it would use to restructure its debt. Creditors of WBD are consulting advisers after the entertainment company proposed banning investor cooperation pacts as part of its plan to split, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- The Citizen
Trevor Noah questioned over silence on Trump's claim of ‘white genocide' in SA
Last year, Noah said he still kept up with what's happening in South Africa, despite being out of the country. Comedian Trevor Noah has been accused of not being patroitic enough. Picture: Stephen McCarthy / Getty Images US actress Viola Davis' comments on Donald Trump's claims of a white genocide in South Africa have led to accusations that comedian Trevor Noah is not patriotic enough. Davis, who has visited Mzansi many times and has always expressed her affection for the country, recently expressed her anger at Trump's utterances about white people being murdered in South Africa. 'Spent a lot of time in Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, and Durban… there is no argument. There is no justification. I've seen the ravages of apartheid. I've seen the townships — all Black. Full stop,' wrote Davis in response to a CNN roundtable discussion about alleged genocide in the country. The discussion took place after President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the White House last week, accompanied by a delegation. ALSO READ: PICS: 'The Woman King' star Viola Davis celebrates birthday in Cape Town Why Trevor Noah could be a target Other international South African celebrities, like Black Coffee and Charlize Theron, have been roped in, but Noah has seemingly taken the brunt. The criticism of Noah most likely stems from his role as the host of The Daily Show, where he has torn into the day's politics through satire. This has set an expectation that he should always comment on some of the biggest political activities. Last year, Noah told Radio 702 that he still follows what happens in South Africa, despite being out of the country. 'First and foremost, it's always home. My friends are here, my family is here, so the conversations are about what's happening here. I follow the politics, I follow the news…the only things you have to experience yourself are widespread load shedding, a traffic jam [that turns] into a roadblock,' said Noah at the time. Some South Africans seem to be irked by his silence, especially when he's aware of what is happening. World renowned South African celebrities such as Trevor Noah, Charlize Theron and DJ Black Coffee have South Africans asking where their voices are as African-American actress Viola Davis shows support for SA among an onslaught of misinformation from the USA. — All Things Current Affairs (@A_T_C_A) May 26, 2025 One person on X counted all of Noah's social media numbers—his Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages—and said Noah should have refuted Trump's claims because of his global influence. ALSO READ: 'It was very lonely': Trevor Noah reflects on his time on 'The Daily Show' Outspoken Black Americans A group of 59 white South Africans recently landed in the US after being granted refugee status by the Trump administration. Several Americans have commented on this, slamming the fiasco. US rapper Vic Mensa recently went on TikTok to give a brief lesson on the history of modern-day South Africa in a video titled 'South Africa, Colonization, and the Right to Exist.' #southafrica #colonization ♬ original sound – Vic Mensa @vicmensa does the colonizer have the right to exist? nations & empires are founded by conquest, not by god given right during my time in south africa i wrote a few essays, i think ill post one on substack later – let me know if you want me to send it to you #colonizer 'By now I'm sure we've all seen the foolishness of white South African 'refugees' escaping an imaginary genocide,' he said in the intro of the video. 'When I was in South Africa one of the most infuriating things was learning that the European 10% minority of the population held 90% of the wealth, that sh*t boiled my f*cken blood,' shared the rapper. Social commentator Dan Corder took to social media to clarify the situation. Seasoned comedian DL Hughley initially shared Corder's video, which was liked by Davis and US comedian Wanda Sykes. NOW READ: 'Never say never' — Jack Parow speaks on refugee status amid European success
TimesLIVE
27-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
‘I stand with my brothers and sisters in SA': Viola Davis slams ‘white genocide' narrative
American actress Viola Davis has joined the chorus of voices condemning the unfounded narrative about a 'white genocide' in SA. The claims, recently pushed by US President Donald Trump, suggest white Afrikaners are being persecuted, which led him to provide them with refugee status. Viola took to social media to express her solidarity with the people of SA, sharing a video clip of CNN anchor Abby Phillip shutting down the 'white genocide' claims. 'It's not true there's a white genocide in South Africa,' Abby said. 'Most people killed on farms are black. Where is the concern about that? Why are you more concerned about white people?' Viola echoed her sentiments, citing her personal experiences in SA. 'I spent a lot of time in Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, and Durban. There is no argument. There is no justification. I've seen the ravages of apartheid. I've seen the townships — all black. Full stop,' she said. 'Thank you, Abby, for speaking truth to power. I stand with my brothers and sisters in South Africa. Ngiyakuthanda (I love you).' The actress has always expressed her deep connection with SA. She filmed the Hollywood blockbuster The Woman King in South Africa. Her appreciation for African culture is evident in her fashion choices, often embracing African prints and jewellery. Viola has also expressed admiration for SA struggle heroes, including Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. She previously described Winnie as 'a woman who epitomised how the power of a woman's love, intelligence and vision can change a culture.' She said the archbishop was a 'titan' for civil rights.
