Warner Bros. Discovery has confirmed the executive lineups and branding for its upcoming corporate split, expected to finalize by mid-2026. The company will break into two publicly traded entities: Warner Bros. and Discovery Global. Each business will focus on different segments of WBD’s vast portfolio, with leadership drawn from existing senior ranks.
The Split
Warner Bros. will focus on streaming and studio assets. This includes Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, HBO Max, Warner Bros. Gaming Studios, and the company’s extensive film and TV libraries. WBD says the name honors “more than a century of industry-defining storytelling.”
Discovery Global will encompass the company’s linear networks and international brands. That includes CNN, TNT Sports, Discovery, Discovery+, free-to-air channels across Europe, Bleacher Report, and other global content platforms. WBD emphasized that the name reflects the enduring global recognition of the Discovery brand in entertainment, news, and sports.
Leadership Breakdown
David Zaslav will stay on as CEO of the new Warner Bros. Gunnar Wiedenfels, currently CFO of WBD, will become CEO of Discovery Global. Both companies will be led by familiar faces, with titles adjusted to reflect their new mandates.
Warner Bros. Leadership
- Bruce Campbell: Chief Operating Officer (currently Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer)
- Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca: Co-chairs and CEOs, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group
- James Gunn and Peter Safran: Co-chairmen and CEOs, DC Studios
- Casey Bloys: Chairman and CEO, HBO and HBO Max
- Channing Dungey: Chair and CEO, Warner Bros. Television Group
- JB Perrette: CEO and President, Streaming and Games
- Avi Saxena: Chief Technology Officer, reporting to Perrette
- Robert Gibbs: Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer
- CFO and Chief People & Culture Officer: roles are still in search
Discovery Global Leadership
- Luis Silberwasser: Chairman and CEO, TNT Sports
- Mark Thompson: Chairman and CEO, CNN Worldwide
- Gerhard Zeiler: President, US, UK, and Germany, and Chief Content Officer, Discovery+
- Fernando Medin: President, International
- Scott Miller: President, Distribution
- Bobby Voltaggio: President, US Ad Sales Platform Monetization
- Ryan Gould: President, US Ad Sales GTM
- Fulvia Nicoli: EVP, Content Strategy and Insights
- Sue Underwald: Chief Legal Officer
- Fraser Woodford: Chief Financial Officer
- David Duvall: Chief Technology Officer
- Amy Girdwood: Chief People and Culture Officer
- Anil Jhingan: Chief Development Officer
- Kasia Kieli: President and MD, Poland and CEO, TVN
Strategic Rationale
The split is designed to provide greater strategic focus and financial flexibility as legacy linear television continues to decline. WBD’s move follows a similar playbook to Comcast’s spin-off of NBCUniversal cable assets into the upcoming Versante. Both companies are positioning their traditional TV businesses to operate more nimbly while giving their studio and streaming divisions room to scale.
Zaslav’s compensation will be significantly reduced under his new contract as the CEO of Warner Bros. Wiedenfels will receive a raise that reflects his expanded role leading Discovery Global.
WBD is now entering the separation phase with leadership continuity, clarified missions, and a public commitment to return each brand to growth on its terms.
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