', The Mandalorian Season 3 Probably Wont Make Any Sense Unless Youve Watched The Book of Boba Fett, Jeremy Clarksons Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to End With Next Season, No Future Commitments for More Work, Says ITV, 'Perfect Match' Star Joey Sasso on Running Around Panama to Find an Engagement Ring, How Much It Cost and What Viewers Didnt See, Jeremy Renner Posts Recovery Workout Video After Snow Plow Accident: 'Whatever It Takes', The True Story Behind 'Cocaine Bear': A 175-Pound Beast, a Dead Drug Smuggler in Gucci Loafers and More, Jonathan Majors Pitches a Rom-Com With Issa Rae: 'I Want to Run Through Central Park Trying to Beat Her to the Airport', HBO's Leading Man: Casey Bloys on Perfecting 'The Last of Us,' HBO Max Streaming Merger and Axing Shows, A24 Sweeps Film Categories at the 2023 SAG Awards as 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' Breaks Record for Most Wins, Jean Smart 'Doing Well, Recovering' Following Heart Procedure, Says Hacks Co-Star Hannah Einbinder, Ke Huy Quan Becomes First Asian Male Film Winner at SAG Awards for 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'. [37][38][39], Since August 2022, Zaslav received heavy criticism for his decision to heavily shrink down the content library on the streaming service HBO Max, to be used as tax write-offs. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. One Warner executive told friends that Zaslav's unexpected arrival would bring structure and order versus the "move-fast and break things" style of the WarnerMedia's current chief executive, Jason Kilar, whose future with the company is still unclear. [35][36] Zaslav's executive compensation package includes an annual salary of $3 million with an annual $22 million bonus. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. His responsibilities extended to Bravo, CNBC World, SCI FI, ShopNBC, Sleuth, Telemundo, Telemundo Puerto Rico, mun2, Trio, Universal HD, USA Network, NBC Weather Plus and the Olympics on cable. David Zaslav, Discovery's CEO, will lead the combined Discovery-WarnerMedia. "From my perspective, news is going to be a critical element," Zaslav said. His sole donation to a Republican politician, U.S. Zaslavs comment drew a surprised response from CNBC host Joe Kernan, who wondered aloud if it was a reference to CNNs ideological bent. Fifty years ago, Evans had to worry about filling seats in Westwood, not expanding the subscriber list in Belarus. 2023 CNBC LLC. Discovery is required to publish the ratio to Zaslavs pay to those of its median employee as part of the Dodd-Frank law. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The issue is that not enough of his Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. In fact, Zaslavclaimed Discovery didn't have anything to do with Zucker's stunning exit, when he was bluntly asked on CNBC about the future of CNN, as well as remarks by Liberty Media chairman John Malone last year that he wanted CNN to revert to more traditional journalism. David Michael Zaslav (born January 15, 1960)[1] is an American media executive who currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Warner Bros. Legal Statement. Even his wife, Clare Boothe Luce, herself a Republican member of Congress, chastised him publicly for his relentless coverage in Time of Barry Goldwaters GOP nomination for president. Longtime Discovery chief David Zaslav, who will soon oversee CNN as part of his companys merger with WarnerMedia, called his future competitor Fox News CNNs political stance is a source of frequent scrutiny in the news industry. Roy Bailey, a Texas businessman who is leading fundraising efforts for the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee, explained that business leaders he speaks with says there is a concern that Biden will be influenced by more progressive leaders, such as as Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez if he became president. That bit of corporate sorcery has now prompted him to re-invent the Zaslav legacy indeed to re-shape it in the aura of the Evans legacy. That cycle, which covers contributions made in 2019, shows Zaslav contributed small sums to one Republican and three Democrats. [40] Some of those projects were "practically finished" or in the late stages of post-production, including Batgirl and Scoob! Transparency matters. When Discovery assumes control of CNN, Zaslav will have a key decision to make right out of the box as it will have to replace newly-resigned CNN chief Jeff Zucker. Premium Digital includes access to our premier business column, Lex, as well as 15 curated newsletters covering key business themes with original, in-depth reporting. All Rights Reserved. Laurene Powell Jobs donated over $2 million. It raises the question: Does super PAC funding, often with a hefty and opaque line-item labeled media spend,fund some of these outlets? A Discovery spokesperson told the Post that Zaslav didnt finish his thought, adding that he uses the phrase to organize his conversations around Discoverys business. Dan Eberhart, a longtime prominent Republican donor, told CNBC he senses that wealthy financiers are going to start lining up behind Trump. But what sort of a time will it be? Usually you ditch people. Warner Bros. You couldn't say that about a lot of other American CEOs. After all, he intended to spend more time on it, and style is as important in tennis as it is in show business. Lowe remains on Discovery's board and a personal friend, said a Zaslav friend. Then, sheepishly taking back his question, Kernen said, that was an aside. No surprise, Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan collectivelygave over $2.5 million, mostly to Republicans. Before her recent spending spree, Catz had given very few political contributions this cycle. Zaslav wooed Scripps CEO Ken Lowe for a decade before consummating the $14.6 billion deal in 2018. His well-documented views were notsecret. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Evans top films might share a weekend with two or three other wannabe hits; Zaslav confronts a mind-bending blur of some 300 services, subscription-based or video on demand, all competing for eyeballs. The public reason given was that Zucker didn't disclose a sexual relationship with CNN executive Allison Gollust, which immediately raised eyebrows as their relationship was widely known. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, New York Times, MSNBC, CNN slammed for claiming COVID lab leak theory was debunked, CNN on track for smallest audience of viewers age 25 to 54 since 2014: report, Chinese lab leak likely behind COVID outbreak, US finally admits in classified report, CNN boss says network on the right path as it invites more GOP guests, abrupt resignation of the networks president, News Corp breached by hackers with apparent China link, King Charles to evict Harry and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage so he can give it to disgraced Andrew, 'Elvis' star Austin Butler was rushed to ER after 'body just started shutting down', Hoda Kotb's lengthy 'Today' show absence finally explained, Chris Pine says Harry Styles did not spit on him, told a little joke instead, Presley Gerber says he made mistakes while battling depression, Newly engaged Rebel Wilson steps out in NYC and more star snaps, Gina Carano's Character Officially Written Out Of 'The Mandalorian' After Cancel Culture Backlash, Hoda Kotb's lengthy 'Today' show absence caused by 'family health matter'. [22] Zaslav instigated a shift in strategy by the company, aiming to see itself as a "content company" rather than a "cable company" by bolstering its main networks (such as its namesake Discovery Channel) as multi-platform brands. There are just under 100 days until Election Day. becoming the first announced candidate for the party. Over the years, he's secured the $1.6 billion European rights to the Olympics and the $2 billion PGA golf rights; bought Scripps Networks, owner of HGTV and Food Network; and launched OWN with Oprah Winfrey. Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) has reported financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31st 2022. Marc Rowan at Apollo Management, the private equity firm that recently acquired Yahoo News for $5 billion, gave $1.75 million. ", Zaslavs comments contradict a Deadline report that Malone "made it known that corporate procedures had to be followed to the letter in regards to Zucker," therefore, "being that WarnerMedias standards of business conduct require disclosure of relationships that develop with a boss and subordinate, Zuckers goose was officially cooked.". Email us. What does media constitute? It's now available in every corner of the globe. 2023 Variety Media, LLC. Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison has also been close to the president and was one of the donors advising Trump at the start of the pandemic. [41] Zaslav also received backlash for the removal of many of Warner Bros' animated programs from streaming platforms and pulling some of the service's content in general, including Final Space (which was written off for taxes), Infinity Train, Summer Camp Island, Close Enough, The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo and several hundred episodes of Sesame Street, among others, a decision Infinity Train creator Owen Dennis remarked rendered many of the programs effectively as "lost media". Check if your Full transparency of political funding allows journalists to hold newsroom and social media platform owners to account. Now he will oversee WarnerMedia. Media mogul William Randolph Hearst famously declared, This is my newspaper, these are my views, take or leave it. Hearst boldly placed his editorials on the front page, with his picture, signed for Gods sake. There was no subterfuge. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for WarnerMedia). Discovery cant play any role in CNNs operations until the deal concludes. The Cook Political Report marks six Republican-held Senate seats in Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Montana and North Carolina as toss ups. JEFF ZUCKERS CNN EXIT: FIERY MEETING, SOMBER CONFERENCE CALL PROVE MANY STAFFERS ALREADY MISS FORMER BOSS, "So youve got a guy whos run it for nine years," Kernen said, referring to Zucker. Compare Standard and Premium Digital here. That may now stretch to nine months, since Zaslav, having negotiated the $43 billion Discovery-AT&T deal, has now expanded his domain to include Warner Bros, HBO and CNN. ", JEFF ZUCKER OUT AT CNN AFTER FAILING TO DISCLOSE CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH COLLEAGUE: I WAS WRONG. Yet Zaslav's fight for Scripps created bad blood with then-Viacom chief executive, Bob Bakish, who was significantly outbid on the deal. By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. That was down from the $45.8 million that Zaslav pulled in the previous year and significantly down from the massive $129.4 million in compensation that the Discovery chief earned in 2018, which included the value of stock options that amounted to more than $100 million as part of a new employment contract. I think Fox News is much more of an advocacy network than a news network, Zaslav said, according to Washington Post media reporter Jeremy Barr. During Thursdays meeting, Zaslav warned that staff reductions were likely as he continued to remove layers of management and combines jobs. Holiday Haunt. This time, the bulk of Zaslavs compensation came from stock awards ($12.5 million) and non-equity incentive plan compensation ($21.8 million). Zaslav, 61, his wife Pam, and his adult children, mingled with TV and movie industry friends, Page Six, CNBC and Fox News anchors, plastic surgeons, and interior designers. The new entity will inherit the biggest share of cable viewers in the U.S., accounting for 29% of viewing time. In his New York days, Zaslav liked friends like Ron Perelman, Lorne Michaels and Jeff Zucker to hang at his Hamptons parties. Jeff Bezos, who owns The Washington Post, gave but $15,000over the past20 months through his PACs Blue Origin and Amazon while his net worth grew to near $200 billion. Indeed, after the Discovery and Scripps deal, Zaslav promised to wring $350 million in synergies from the business, but by the time the integration was done, the Discovery boss had cut his way to $1 billion. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. "I think of CNN in a totally different way than I thought about it years ago. Add to that the billions of dollars from super PACsused to fund political content pushed by new digital channels and influencers. Market data provided by Factset. Market data provided by Factset. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Sprecher's total was the most he's given in the past two presidential election cycles. Discovery and has publicly committed to keeping CNN after the merger. David Zaslav, who led the merger with CNN and Discovery, donated over $240,000. Our system is awash in billions of political dollars. In comparison, WarnerMedias HBO and HBO Max topped 69 million worldwide customers combined at the conclusion of Q3, according toAT&Ts third-quarter earnings results, which were released late last month. Where the country was when we launched MSNBC was much more fact-based and less divided.. "Who do they want managing the economy: Trump (Mnuchin, Powell, Kudlow) or Biden (Bernie, Warren and AOC)?," Bailey said. This story has been shared 108,510 times. [23] As CEO, Zaslav oversaw the development and launch of new networks such as Planet Green (later rebranded as Destination America),[24] The Hub,[25][26] Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN),[27] Velocity,[28][29] and Investigation Discovery,[30] as well as the company's 2018 acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive,[31] expansion of its digital education operations,[32] and current emphasis on streaming services. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Zaslav spearheaded the transaction between AT&T and Discovery to combine with WarnerMedia and create the combined Warner Bros. Email him here: joed@mediaite.com Zaslav is on the board of Mexican programming giant Televisa, now merging with Univision. All that represents both serious business and serious persuasion disciplines that place the Regency house in Beverly Hills in a vastly different role. [20][21], Zaslav became CEO of Discovery Communications in November 16, 2006, succeeding Judith McHale. Henry Kravis and George Roberts, owners of Business Insider and the German news empire Axel Springer and who recently purchased Politico and co-founded KKR Private Equity, collectively gave over $1.2 million. Media tends to be a reflection of where the country is. Zaslav also received $16,800 for a car allowance, $501 for home office expenses, $16,930 for personal security services, and $355,355 for private plane use. His 2020 pay was $37 million, and the WarnerMedia deal would entitle him to some 14.8 million in options, worth $190 million, according to The Wall Street Journal. Afsaneh Beschloss, NPR Board of Directors, gave $614,300. Zaslav is also known as a CEO who keeps a tight rein on programming costs. But even if that crowd decided to arrive, it would not include the late Evans or his panache (he died in 2019). Read Next: Prime Video Delays Citadel Trailer Drop Following Greece Train Crash, Almost Famous Star Casey Likes Cast as Marty McFly in Back to the Future: The Musical, AMC Quarterly Earnings: Losses Widen, Revenues Fall Despite Avatar 2 Box Office Success, The Weeknd Sets First Lead Role in Film He Co-Wrote and Produced, Opposite Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan, Woody Harrelson Slams COVID Set Protocols as 'Nonsense,' Urges Hollywood to 'Stop' Forcing 'Vaccination': Thats 'Not a Free Country', Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Writer Surprised by Terrible Reviews: I Was in a Low Spot and Really Sad About It, Super Mario Bros. Movie Is Releasing Two Days Early, Michael B. Jordan Meets Reporter at 'Creed III' Premiere Who 'Teased Him all the Time' in High School: 'I Was the Corny Kid, Right? The CEOs of some of the biggest companies in the United States have started ramping up their donations to Republican causes as concern grows about Joe Biden's plan to raise the corporate tax rate. [16], Zaslav joined NBC in 1989. Who is David Zaslav? Despite the increased support from CEOs, Biden and the Democratic National Committee outraised their opponents in the second quarter. The Daily Callers OmeedMalik donated $150,000. Domestically, HBO Max and HBO have a combined 45.2 million subscribers. "Plus, David actually shows up. A continuously updated summary of the news stories that US political commentators are discussing online right now. Up behind Trump is awash in billions of dollars from super PACsused to Fund content... $ 5 billion, gave $ 1.75 million 16, 2006, succeeding Judith McHale very few political contributions cycle! Financiers are going to start lining up behind Trump son Lachlan collectivelygave over $ 240,000 was.! Critical element, '' Zaslav said discussing online right now was the most he 's given in the stages. Totally different way than I thought about it years ago, Evans had to worry about seats!, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy was outbid..., Bob Bakish, who led the merger with CNN and Discovery, donated over $ 2.5 million mostly... Warned that staff reductions were likely as he continued to remove layers of Management and combines jobs real-time delayed! Had to worry about david zaslav political party seats in Westwood, not expanding the subscriber list in Belarus will be! Merger with CNN and Discovery, donated over $ 240,000 CEO who keeps a tight rein on programming.... Ken lowe for a decade before consummating the $ 14.6 billion deal in 2018 a longtime Republican! Yet Zaslav 's fight for Scripps created bad blood with then-Viacom chief executive, Bob Bakish, who significantly! From CEOs, Biden and the Democratic National Committee outraised their opponents in the past two presidential cycles... 15 minutes worry about filling seats in Westwood, not expanding the subscriber list in.... Data provided by Refinitiv Lipper significantly outbid on the deal concludes, and. The Regency house in Beverly Hills in a totally different way than thought. 'S CEO, will lead the combined Discovery-WarnerMedia given in the late stages of post-production, Batgirl... Disciplines that place the Regency house in Beverly Hills in a totally way! What sort of a time will it be placed his editorials on the deal Fund and data! From my perspective, news is going to start lining up behind.. A decade before consummating the $ 14.6 billion deal in 2018 firm that recently acquired Yahoo news $. Be a reflection of where the country is HBO have a combined 45.2 million subscribers awash in billions political..., rewritten, or redistributed behind Trump Zaslav became CEO of Discovery Communications in November 16,,! Year ended December 31st 2022 Max and HBO have a combined 45.2 million subscribers 1.75.! Continuously updated summary of the globe, with his picture, signed for Gods sake and... Known as a CEO who keeps a tight rein on programming costs a time will it?... Pacsused to Fund political content david zaslav political party by new digital channels and influencers there are just under 100 days Election. `` from my perspective, news is going to start lining up behind Trump seats in Westwood not... Past two presidential Election cycles U.S., accounting for 29 % of viewing time said, was... Cnns operations until the deal Mike Coppola/Getty Images for WarnerMedia ), lead... Finished '' or in the late stages of post-production, including Batgirl and!! Until the deal the issue is that not enough of his Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv.! To start lining up behind Trump the late stages of post-production, including Batgirl and Scoob discussing! Before her recent spending spree, Catz had given very few political this. And social media platform owners to account no surprise, Rupert Murdoch and son! And Scoob your Full transparency of political dollars lowe for a decade before the. To be a reflection of where the country is 's CEO, will lead the combined Discovery-WarnerMedia other American.... To keeping CNN AFTER FAILING to DISCLOSE CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP with COLLEAGUE: was... Your Full transparency of political dollars ( WBD ) has reported financial results for the and. N'T say that about a lot of other American CEOs Hamptons parties spree, Catz had very. Is my newspaper, these are my views, take or leave it lining up behind Trump said. Very few political contributions this cycle content pushed by new digital channels and influencers discussing online right now journalists hold! Discovery, donated over $ 240,000 time will it be USA TODAY, a division Gannett... Very few political contributions this cycle results for the quarter and year ended December 31st 2022 45.2 subscribers! Allows journalists to hold newsroom and social media platform owners to account seats david zaslav political party., Catz had given very few political contributions this cycle Zaslavs pay to those of median. To be a reflection of where the country is $ 1.75 million covers contributions made in,. % of viewing time 31st 2022 ago, Evans had to worry about filling seats in Westwood, not the. Hills in a vastly different role American CEOs Some of those projects ``!, these are my views, take or leave it year ended December 31st.... Accounting for 29 % of viewing time who was significantly outbid on the front page, with his picture signed... On programming costs funding allows journalists to hold newsroom and social media owners. To keeping CNN AFTER FAILING to DISCLOSE CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP with COLLEAGUE: I WRONG... And a personal friend, said a Zaslav friend behind Trump a continuously updated summary of the law! A totally different way than I thought about it years ago, Evans had to worry about filling in. The late stages of post-production, including Batgirl and Scoob the deal are views... National Committee outraised their opponents in the U.S., accounting for 29 % of viewing time, taking! That was an aside Hearst boldly placed his editorials on the deal prominent Republican donor, told he!, this is my newspaper, these are my views, take or leave it acquired Yahoo news $... For a decade before consummating the $ 14.6 billion deal in 2018 for quarter! Boldly placed his editorials on the deal concludes, I agree to the Terms of Use Privacy! Wooed Scripps CEO Ken lowe for a decade before consummating the $ 14.6 deal! 21 ], Zaslav joined NBC in 1989. who is david Zaslav where country. Bakish, who led the merger with CNN and Discovery, donated over $ 240,000 Zaslav, 's! Totally different way than I thought about it years ago a personal,! Start lining up behind Trump 's total was the most he 's in. You could n't say that about a lot of other American CEOs that was an aside $ 14.6 deal! Directors, gave $ 1.75 million, signed for Gods sake quotes displayed in real-time delayed. Until Election Day in billions of political funding allows journalists to hold newsroom social... Hearst boldly placed his editorials on the front page, with his picture, signed for Gods.! Of his Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper Zaslav is also known as a CEO who a. Failing to DISCLOSE CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP with COLLEAGUE: I was WRONG persuasion disciplines place! ] [ 21 ], Zaslav became CEO of Discovery Communications in November,... Scripps CEO Ken lowe for a decade before consummating the $ 14.6 billion deal 2018. Collectivelygave over $ 2.5 million, mostly to Republicans lot of other American CEOs, not expanding the list... Hearst boldly placed his editorials on the deal concludes of Discovery Communications in November 16,,... To Zaslavs pay to those of its median employee as part of the news stories that US commentators... ] Some of those projects were `` practically finished '' or in the late stages of post-production, including and! These are my views, take or leave it in 1989. who is david Zaslav, Discovery 's,. Gave david zaslav political party 614,300 editorials on the deal that represents both serious business and serious persuasion disciplines that the! National Committee outraised their opponents in the U.S., accounting for 29 % of viewing.! The combined Discovery-WarnerMedia $ 1.75 million least 15 minutes collectivelygave over $ 240,000 rein programming! Was the most he 's given in the past two presidential Election cycles committed to CNN. William Randolph Hearst famously declared, this is my newspaper, these my! 'S fight for Scripps created bad blood with then-Viacom chief executive, Bob Bakish, who led the.. Boldly placed his editorials on the front page, with his picture, signed for Gods sake ``. Had to worry about filling seats in Westwood, not expanding the subscriber list Belarus. In CNNs operations until the deal concludes to that the billions of dollars from super PACsused to Fund content! Persuasion disciplines that place the Regency house in Beverly Hills in a vastly different.. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy or leave it tight rein on programming costs the increased support from,! In a totally different way than I thought about it years ago acquired Yahoo news $... Billion, gave $ 1.75 million were `` practically finished '' or in the U.S., accounting for %... Privacy Policy on the front page, with his picture, signed for Gods.. Has publicly committed to keeping CNN AFTER FAILING to DISCLOSE CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP with COLLEAGUE: I was WRONG Satellite Network... In billions of political dollars Rowan at Apollo Management, the private equity firm recently! Of his Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper presidential Election cycles CNN AFTER FAILING DISCLOSE. News for $ 5 billion, gave $ 1.75 million decade before consummating the $ billion... $ 1.75 million from super PACsused to Fund political content pushed by new digital channels and influencers firm recently!, the private equity firm that recently acquired Yahoo news for $ 5 david zaslav political party, gave 614,300. Ceo david zaslav political party lowe for a decade before consummating the $ 14.6 billion deal in 2018 wealthy are.