Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Admits Writers' Strike Demands Were Justified

David Zaslav acknowledges the validity of the Writers Guild of America's demands, leading to significant gains in their new contract. However, Warner Bros. Discovery still faces significant financial challenges.

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav admits that the demands of the Writers Guild of America during their strike were largely justified, stating that they were 'right about almost everything'.
Key gains made by the WGA in their new contract include significant raises for writers, a 26% increase in residuals, minimum staffing requirements on TV shows, and protections on artificial intelligence.
The WGA also secured a residual structure for successful streaming shows, a significant win as many writers have struggled with decreased residuals due to the shift to streaming.
Zaslav took part directly in negotiations with the WGA, alongside other studio heads including Bob Iger (Disney), Ted Sarandos (Netflix) and Donna Langley (Universal).
Despite the financial gains made by the WGA, Warner Bros. Discovery still faces significant financial challenges, including a $56 billion debt.