Warner/Discovery

[JohnAV]

As David Zaslav Takes Deal Crown, How Will He Rule His Discovery-WarnerMedia Empire? - Hollywood Reporter 5/18/21

The tough-as-nails mogul will lead a Hollywood content powerhouse, but insiders question whether the risk-averse CEO can adjust to the high-rolling world of scripted film and TV bets.

The irony of David Zaslav’s ascent to the top of the as-yet unnamed WarnerMedia and Discovery combination is that had the Discovery CEO gotten this job at any other time in Hollywood history, he would have been the lowly outsider with no meaningful scripted experience, a purveyor of reality shows beneath the notice of the elite. He would have been in for a potentially fatal hazing.

But at this moment, many in the entertainment business are eager to be rid of the AT&T regime — led by CEO John Stankey and WarnerMedia chief Jason Kilar — that seemed unwilling and unable to learn the language. So they’re prepared to welcome the head of the company that brings you 90 Day Fiance, House Hunters and Dr. Pimple Popper with wide-open arms.

That last paragraph speaks volumes on how stupid AT&T really is. Yes the same management that suggest short duration content for phone users from HBO initially.

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by CyberpunkCentral

I'm confused.

About what?

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

As David Zaslav Takes Deal Crown, How Will He Rule His Discovery-WarnerMedia Empire? - Hollywood Reporter 5/18/21

The tough-as-nails mogul will lead a Hollywood content powerhouse, but insiders question whether the risk-averse CEO can adjust to the high-rolling world of scripted film and TV bets.



That last paragraph speaks volumes on how stupid AT&T really is.

In other words. With the current mess, anyone would be better. The legacy of John Stankey and Jason Kilar is going to be shameful.

[CyberpunkCentral]

Originally Posted by mwynn

About what?

About this merger.

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by CyberpunkCentral

About this merger.

Put it in the form of a question.

[CyberpunkCentral]

Originally Posted by mwynn

Put it in the form of a question.

I can't pin point it right now. Trying to read and watch business people's take on this deal at the moment.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by mwynn

In other words. With the current mess, anyone would be better. The legacy of John Stankey and Jason Kilar is going to be shameful.

AT&T looks for things to make them go, David Zaslav is smart.

Lieutenant La Forge is smart. - YouTube

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

AT&T looks for things to make them go, David Zaslav’ is smart.

Lieutenant La Forge is smart. - YouTube

After they could not make a deal with NbcUniversal and whoever else answered their call.

[CyberpunkCentral]

Jim Cramer hits AT&T after move to merge WarnerMedia, Discovery - YouTube

[John1701D]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

AT&T looks for things to make them go, David Zaslav is smart.

Lieutenant La Forge is smart. - YouTube

Plus 1 for the Pakled reference.

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by CyberpunkCentral

Jim Cramer hits AT&T after move to merge WarnerMedia, Discovery - YouTube

They lit billions of dollars on fire.

[CyberpunkCentral]

[Rayjg]

Apparently some of the creative people at Warner are actually optimistic about this move because they’ll be more a traditional studio than just another compartment of a telecommunications behemoth.

[CyberpunkCentral]

I don't mind this deal at all either because Discovery is an entertainment company unlike AT&T, so Discovery has a better eye for talent. Also Discovery is going to put more money into WarnerMedia than AT&T did.

I'm still a little worried because they might get rid of some assets. Except for CNN, I don't give a shit about them. Also I'm not sure what this new company is going to be.

[kemcha]

Originally Posted by CyberpunkCentral

I'm confused.

Not the only one. I'm confused as well. It sounded to me like AT&T sold the WarnerMedia assets. But, it also sounds like, according to some of these posts, that AT&T is still maintaining some ownership of WarnerMedia. From what I'm reading online, AT&T didn't realize what they were getting into and that they just want to focus on broadband implementation. There are just too many stories regarding WarnerMedia and nobody is reporting the same story.

[CyberpunkCentral]

Originally Posted by kemcha

It sounded to me like AT&T sold the WarnerMedia assets.

They did. I don't know why some are saying they did not. I could be wrong, but I was directly told by someone who studied law that AT&T did sold WarnerMedia.

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by CyberpunkCentral

They did. I don't know why some are saying they did not. I could be wrong, but I was directly told by someone who studied law that AT&T did sold WarnerMedia.

It was pretty much a back alley deal. They said it was a merger.

AT&T has pretty much given up control of Warner to Discovery.
Discovery takes over management of Warner.
AT&T keeps financial resources and some of the debt.

[Jay H.]

I'm not confused at all. People who have a lot more money than I have are giving a lot of their money to people who aren't me. It happens all the time.

[Darkstream]

Originally Posted by mwynn

It was pretty much a back alley deal. They said it was a merger.

AT&T has pretty much given up control of Warner to Discovery.
Discovery takes over management of Warner.
AT&T keeps financial resources and some of the debt.

That's exactly it.

AT&T shareholders will receive stock worth 71 percent of the new company, while Discovery’s shareholders will own the remaining 29 percent.

[CyberpunkCentral]

Originally Posted by mwynn

It was pretty much a back alley deal. They said it was a merger.

AT&T has pretty much given up control of Warner to Discovery.
Discovery takes over management of Warner.
AT&T keeps financial resources and some of the debt.

The other thing that confused me was that people were confusing AT&T with AT&T share holders. Because someone else said, no there is a difference and (if my memory serves me right) Discovery keeps AT&T's shareholders.