Overview
- Warner Bros. Discovery announced on June 9 that it will break into two publicly traded companies by mid-2026, formalizing the separation of its streaming and cable operations.
- Streaming & Studios, under CEO David Zaslav, will house HBO Max, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, Warner Bros. Television, DC Studios and their content libraries.
- Global Networks, led by CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels as CEO, will include CNN, TNT Sports, TBS, Discovery+ and other linear and digital network assets.
- Approximately $34 billion of the group’s net debt will be assigned to Global Networks, freeing the streaming arm to invest in content production and subscriber growth.
- WBD shares surged over 7% in early trading as investors welcomed the move to sharpen strategic focus during the industry’s shift from traditional cable to streaming services.