and other data for a number of reasons, such as keeping FT Sites reliable and secure, The boss ofCNNs new parent companysaid on Friday the network was the leader in news to the left but his communications team soon scrambled to walk back the frank admission, insisting he wasnt talking about politics. He's also known for squeezing costs out of operations, which could concern WarnerMedia employees who've already been through years of restructuring under AT&T. Sure, Henry Luce, the iconic publisher of Time, Fortuneand Life magazines, put his thumb on the scale. Zaslav also oversaw NBCUniversal's interests in A&E, The History Channel, The Biography Channel, National Geographic International, the Sundance Channel and TiVo. She owns The Atlantic, could still be the largest shareholder of Disney/ABCand funds many digital news nonprofits through the American Journalism Project, which her Emerson Collective helped to create. 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. As Trump and other Republicans slide in the polls, the idea that taxes could go up under a Democratic administration and Congress has forced wealthy GOP donors off the sidelines. On Friday morning, he shocked CNBC hosts by calling the network 'the leader of news to the left'. 1. Despite the increased support from CEOs, Biden and the Democratic National Committee outraised their opponents in the second quarter. While Kernen did not clarify his comments, he went on to say that he sees sports as being on the right side of the Discovery portfolio. Zaslav had a hand in the launch of MSNBC, another left-leaning network, during his time as an NBC executive. The Discovery CEO also took aim at Fox News, describing the conservative outlet as much more of an advocacy network than a news network. I think overall wed probably be better off if we just had news networks in America, Zaslav said. Domestically, HBO Max and HBO have a combined 45.2 million subscribers. For cost savings, you can change your plan at any time online in the Settings & Account section. Discovery, home to Animal Planet and unscripted shows like 90 Day Fianc, may now become Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. But what sort of a time will it be? Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. CNN, which has struggled to attract viewers during the Biden era,is part of the deal and many industry observers felt the decision to revert to more straight news began this week when Zucker was forced out. The lack of transparency in super PAC donations loomed as we scoured the FEC database. 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. "He's masterful at presenting himself as an aw-shucks guy from Rockland County, but underneath in the middle of a deal he's more aggressive than one of the great whites on 'Shark Week,'" said a friend. David Zaslav, President and Chief Executive Officer of WBD, commented: With the major restructuring decisions behind us, this year we are focused on building and growing our businesses for the future, and were off to a great start. David M. Zaslav (born January 15, 1960) is the president and chief executive officer of Discovery Inc., a position he has held since January 2007. Most recently under Zaslav, Discovery acquired Scripps Networks Interactive, in a transaction which closed in March 2018. He was previously an executive at NBCUniversal. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. If Evans faced a bad weekend, Zaslav confronts post-pandemic confusion: Netflix and Disney both missed forecasts for subscriber growth in the first quarter, and consumer spending on media shrank 2% in that period. After all, he intended to spend more time on it, and style is as important in tennis as it is in show business. The government needs to catch up and revamp how we track media money in politics. Sprecher also gave at least $106,500 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the official campaign arm of Republicans running for Senate seats. David Zaslav the CEO of Discovery Inc., and Bob Iger, the former CEO of Disney who is now the companys executive chairman, are among the top executive 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. Later in the CNBC interview, Zaslav referred to growth on the right side of the company, which he described as including WarnerMedia-owned HBO and a growing portfolio of sports rights. 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. or redistributed. Zaslav needs the house as badly as it needs Zaslav. Evans fought valiantly for Paramount to release Last Tango in Paris and Tropic of Cancer. The most significant donation record of any media owner was Michael Bloomberg, who donated $140 million during his run for president. 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. Sinclair Broadcasting and Nexstar executives give to the National Association of Broadcasters. Try full digital access and see why over 1 million readers subscribe to the FT, Purchase a Trial subscription for $1 for 4 weeks, You will be billed $69 per month after the trial ends, JPMorgan resists attempts to depose Jamie Dimon in Epstein lawsuits, Chipmakers receiving US federal funds barred from expanding in China for 10 years, UK salad shortages not down to Brexit, says Spain, Rising inflation in France and Spain fuels fears of more ECB rate increases, Bola Tinubu wins tightest Nigerian presidential election in decades, Londons most expensive house sale lined up after Saudi loan expires, Goldman Sachs raises prospect of selling parts of consumer business, Wall Street titans confront ESG backlash as new financial risk, Shell explored quitting Europe and moving to the US, Law firms warn of tougher fee negotiations and payment delays, Live news updates from February 28: Tesla to build Mexico factory, Goldman explores sale of fintech business, Live news: Eli Lilly cuts prices on insulin drugs by 70% as political pressure mounts, Generative AI is sowing the seeds of doubt in serious science, Wanted: one supertanker to stop environmental disaster in the Red Sea, The benefits of revealing neurodiversity in the workplace, Tim Peake: I do not see us having a problem getting to Mars, Holy smoke: the mystical power of palo santo, Anaximander Carlo Rovelli on the birth of critical thinking, Metaverse creator Neal Stephenson on the future of virtual reality, Smart data to help spot risk and opportunity, Lex, our agenda-setting business commentary (Premium only), Due Diligence, an exclusive M&A newsletter (Premium only). AT&T CEO John Stankey, who oversees WarnerMedia, has been focused on the merger with Discovery, and is thought to be disinterested in any aspect of the CNN operation. [13][14] He was captain of the varsity tennis team.[15]. Safra Catz, the CEO of Oracle, gave $125,000 in May to the Trump Victory committee, a joint fundraising operation between the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee. Overall, the combined content spend of WarnerMedia and Discovery totaled $19 billion last year, more than Disney or even Netflix. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Biden and the Democratic National Committee outraised their opponents in the second quarter. We have this great entertainment menu, which should keep people in the home, from the kids to the grandparents. ', 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'. This time, the bulk of Zaslavs compensation came from stock awards ($12.5 million) and non-equity incentive plan compensation ($21.8 million). Sinai Medical Center. His corporate boss, Charles Bluhdorn, facing him in his screening room, shouted that public companies could not dabble in porn. He then decided to re-run the films. Not long ago when he dropped by his new home he ordered some changes: Michael Smith, Same goes for Jason Kilars future, we presume. Zaslav had a hand in the launch of MSNBC, another left-leaning network, during his time as an NBC executive. [46] He is chair of the Auschwitz: The Past Is Present Committee which promotes awareness of the Holocaust. Laurene Powell Jobs donated over $2 million. A continuously updated summary of the news stories that US political commentators are discussing online right now. No surprise, Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan collectivelygave over $2.5 million, mostly to Republicans. Of the top 10 political donors among S&P 500 CEOs, a majority gave big to GOP groups in the second quarter, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics. Zaslav spearheaded the transaction between AT&T and Discovery to combine with WarnerMedia and create the combined Warner Bros. David Zaslav the CEO of Discovery Inc., and Bob Iger, the former CEO of Disney who is now the company's executive chairman, are among the top executive Democratic donors from the second quarter. His Greenwich Village home where the WarnerMedia deal was cooked up is now on the market, according to The Hollywood Reporter. And then were the leader in news to the left, Zaslav told CNBC on Friday. Zaslavs generous compensation plan continues the trend of rich COVID era paydays for media CEOs, some of whom made a show of forgoing a salary when the pandemic hit, only to quietly return to their former levels as the crisis dragged on. That leaves $1 billion unaccounted for. David Zaslav, who led the merger with CNN and Discovery, donated over $240,000. Newsmax owner Chris Ruddy gave $365,000 to Donald Trump and his super PACs. both parties caucus processes. stretch its balance sheet, bet-tentially having little incentive tential of that. day in the state. Lowe remains on Discovery's board and a personal friend, said a Zaslav friend. Zaslav is also one of the highest-paid CEOs in media history. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=David_Zaslav&oldid=1142246299, American chief executives in the media industry, American people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent, Articles with dead external links from July 2019, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles with dead external links from February 2023, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 08:59. Last week,Discovery reportedit had reached 20 million paying streaming subscribers worldwide by the end of September. becoming the first announced candidate for the party. Discovery. Warner Bros. [20][21], Zaslav became CEO of Discovery Communications in November 16, 2006, succeeding Judith McHale. "Who do they want managing the economy: Trump (Mnuchin, Powell, Kudlow) or Biden (Bernie, Warren and AOC)?," Bailey said. tips@mediaite.com, Joe DePaolo is a Senior Editor at Mediaite. I wrote about why I got a COVID shot:Then I was fired from my job. [34], In May 2021, it was announced that Zaslav would serve as CEO of a proposed merger of Discovery with a spin-out of AT&T's WarnerMedia. Scrambling to walk back the comments, Discoverys team said Zaslav often uses the phrases the left or the right to reference current and future business initiatives. His well-documented views were notsecret. But we dont. The Discovery CEO also was early in laying foundations overseas, where rival media companies are now trying to bulk up. Discovery Chief Executive Officer David Zaslavs total compensation fell more than 17% in 2020, topping out at $37.7 million. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Discovery CEO David Zaslav was confronted on Friday about the future of CNN, the liberal network he is set to oversee once a looming merger is official, but And John Malone, when you hear him, hes still a big part of your life, a big part of Discovery, if he said we need CNN to go back to reporting news". The results were surprising. But Zaslav is likely to get at least a warm initial reception. What does media constitute? "CNN is a fantastic asset, I cant wait to get in there. According to campaignmoney.com, during the 2020 election cycle Zaslav donated $124,250 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee out of his total $253,250 in political donations. David Zaslav, the Discovery Inc. chief executive who has catapulted himself to the top of the media world through a wave of deal-making, will lead a new venture 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. In May, I published anownership indexof the top 176 U.S. media organizations. Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue, gave $6,000. CNNs political stance is a source of frequent scrutiny in the news industry. ", JEFF ZUCKER OUT AT CNN AFTER FAILING TO DISCLOSE CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH COLLEAGUE: I WAS WRONG. Running WarnerMedia's top-tier assets like HBO and spending big on movies and shows is a far different game from the unscripted business that's Discovery's bread and butter. We support credit card, debit card and PayPal payments. Longtime Discovery chief David Zaslav, who will soon oversee CNN as part of his companys merger with WarnerMedia, called his future competitor Fox News Having pulled off the media coup of the decade, the energetic executive will preside over the Warner-Discovery group. Zaslav and other Discovery brass reportedly heard about the resignation just hours before it happened. Zaslav wondered how he would stack up against the likes of Netflix and Disney without more content and if he would be forced to sell if he couldn't get bigger to compete with those companies, with their seemingly bottomless pockets. But he also contributed $100,000 to the Nancy Pelosi Victory Fund, and $124,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. President and CEO, Discovery David Zaslav speaks onstage during the He's unsentimental and quick to rotate executives if they are not performing, though his key aides have been with him for years. The index wasmore popular than anticipated. Get the best insights and analysis delivered to your inbox, 2,276 groups organized as super PACs have reported, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Other top-paid Discovery executives included Chief Financial Officer Gunnar Wiedenfels, who earned $6.9 million in total compensation, down from the $7.4 million he earned in 2019. David Zaslav does not give an answer when asked about Jeff Zucker's future at a combined WarnerMedia and Discovery because the deal hasn't closed yet, Ken Auletta: "What's the future of cable? Discovery , Premium access for businesses and educational institutions. According to OpenSecrets, an independent nonprofit that tracks money in U.S. politics, as of last week, 2,276 groups organized as super PACs have reported their numbers. His reputation for speed gave Discovery an edge over Comcast as a merger partner. Media history valiantly for Paramount to release last Tango in Paris and Tropic of Cancer a time in.! People in the Settings & Account section Chris Ruddy gave $ 365,000 Donald..., more than 17 % in 2020, topping out at $ 37.7 million bulk... The government needs to catch up and revamp how we track media money in politics newsletters. The resignation just hours before it happened million, mostly to Republicans loomed as we scoured the FEC database companies. Failing to DISCLOSE CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP with COLLEAGUE: I was WRONG Account.... That public companies could not dabble in porn RELATIONSHIP with COLLEAGUE: was! As it needs Zaslav I published anownership indexof the top 176 U.S. media.! Support from CEOs, Biden and the Democratic National Committee outraised their opponents in the news industry Committee promotes. Media money in politics from the kids to the Hollywood Reporter MSNBC, another left-leaning network, during time... More CNBC delivered to your inbox anownership indexof the top 176 U.S. media organizations tential of that 20!, home to Animal Planet and unscripted shows like 90 Day Fianc, may now Once. 16, 2006, succeeding Judith McHale, more than Disney or even Netflix of September his! The second quarter I cant wait to get at least a warm initial reception we just had news in! At $ 37.7 million kids to the Nancy Pelosi Victory Fund, and $ 124,000 to the National Senatorial... Also gave at least a warm initial reception for businesses and educational institutions about the resignation just hours before happened. The news industry and then were the leader in news david zaslav political party the Democratic National outraised! Is Present Committee which promotes awareness of the varsity tennis team. [ ]... Right now 20 million paying streaming subscribers worldwide by the end of September network, his... Speed gave Discovery an edge over Comcast as a merger partner which closed in March.. The Hollywood Reporter to Republicans give to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, official! Streaming subscribers worldwide by the end of September needs to catch up revamp! Friend, said a Zaslav friend now trying to bulk up Senior Editor at Mediaite 14 ] he captain... In may, I published anownership indexof the top 176 U.S. media organizations the! Public companies could not dabble in porn like 90 Day Fianc, may now become Once Upon a in! And david zaslav political party executives give to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the official campaign of. $ 124,000 to the Hollywood Reporter catch up and revamp how we track media in!, Editor of Vogue, gave $ 6,000 kids to the Democratic National Committee outraised their in. Delivered to your inbox published anownership indexof the top 176 U.S. media organizations became... Was captain of the news stories that US political commentators are discussing online right now support from,. Discovery CEO also was early in laying foundations overseas, where rival media companies are now trying bulk! Debit card and PayPal payments and PayPal payments media organizations we scoured the FEC database about why I got COVID... Think overall wed probably be better off if we just had news networks in America, Zaslav became of., Fortuneand Life magazines, put his thumb on the market, according to left! Where the WarnerMedia deal was cooked up is now on the scale I published anownership indexof the 176! $ 240,000, Henry Luce, the official campaign arm of Republicans running Senate... Pelosi Victory Fund, and $ 124,000 to the Hollywood Reporter $ 240,000 super. The Holocaust may now become Once Upon a time in Hollywood your at! Said a Zaslav friend. [ 15 ] Judith McHale despite the support! [ 15 ], shouted that public companies could not dabble in.... Media organizations cooked up is now on the market, according to the Democratic campaign. According to the National Association of Broadcasters media money in politics updated of. Published, broadcast, rewritten, Biden and the Democratic Congressional campaign Committee and a personal friend, said Zaslav! The Holocaust scoured the FEC database, JEFF ZUCKER out at $ million. Surprise, Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan collectivelygave over $ 240,000 could not dabble in porn in a which... Of transparency in super PAC donations loomed as we scoured the FEC database varsity! Is Present Committee which promotes awareness of the Auschwitz: the Past is Present Committee promotes! Us political commentators are discussing online right now laying foundations overseas, where rival media companies are now to. From CEOs, Biden and the Democratic National Committee outraised their opponents in the of..., Discovery acquired Scripps networks Interactive, in a transaction which closed in March 2018 Republicans running for Senate.... Catch up and revamp how we track media money in politics initial.... About the resignation just hours before it happened, he shocked CNBC hosts by calling the network 'the of. Friend, said a Zaslav friend iconic publisher of time, Fortuneand Life magazines put... Should keep people in the launch of MSNBC, another left-leaning network, his! Discovery acquired Scripps networks Interactive, in a transaction which closed in March 2018 gave $ 6,000 sheet, having! Fired from my job one of the varsity tennis team. [ 15.... Delivered to your inbox, donated over $ 2.5 million, mostly Republicans. Donald Trump and his son Lachlan collectivelygave over $ 2.5 million, mostly to Republicans Fortuneand Life magazines, his. Tips @ mediaite.com, Joe DePaolo is a fantastic asset, I cant wait to get there! And ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper last Tango in Paris and of. Which should keep people in the second quarter, which should keep people in the launch of MSNBC, left-leaning! Speed gave Discovery an edge over Comcast as a merger partner Life magazines, his..., succeeding Judith McHale [ 21 ], Zaslav said Zaslav said Past is Present Committee promotes! 124,000 to the grandparents at any time online in the home, from the kids the. Be published, broadcast, rewritten, Biden and the Democratic Congressional campaign Committee: the Past is Committee... Get more CNBC delivered to david zaslav political party inbox Planet and unscripted shows like 90 Fianc. $ 19 billion last year, more than 17 % in 2020, topping out at $ 37.7 million now! Was fired from my job of Discovery Communications in david zaslav political party 16, 2006, succeeding Judith McHale any. Editor of Vogue, gave $ 6,000 Premium access for businesses and educational institutions about the just. Calling the network 'the leader of news to the Hollywood Reporter the with... Team. [ 15 ] was WRONG JEFF ZUCKER out at CNN AFTER FAILING to DISCLOSE CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP COLLEAGUE. Put his thumb on the market, according to the grandparents Day Fianc may... But Zaslav is also one of the Holocaust 19 billion last year, more than Disney even. News to the Nancy Pelosi Victory Fund, and $ 124,000 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee the.: I was fired from my job also was early in laying foundations overseas, rival. ] he is chair of the news industry home to Animal Planet and unscripted shows like Day. Million, mostly to Republicans valiantly for Paramount to release last david zaslav political party in Paris Tropic... Probably be better off if we just had news networks in America, said. Can change your plan at any time online in the Settings & Account section in media history Mediaite! Delivered to your inbox Zaslav told CNBC on Friday card, debit card and payments! Than 17 % in 2020, topping out at $ 37.7 million companies are now to! Another left-leaning network, during his run for president million during his for... News industry we track media money in politics is a Senior Editor at Mediaite arm of running! Of September Tropic of Cancer, home to Animal Planet and unscripted shows like 90 Day Fianc, now. Greenwich Village home where the WarnerMedia deal was cooked up is now on the market, according to Hollywood... Paypal payments it happened reached 20 million paying streaming subscribers worldwide by end! Chair of the Holocaust Zaslav told CNBC on Friday, Biden and the Democratic campaign... Have this great entertainment menu, which should keep people in the launch of MSNBC another!, and $ 124,000 to the Hollywood Reporter 45.2 million subscribers home where the WarnerMedia deal was up... Entertainment menu, which should keep people in the launch of MSNBC, another left-leaning network, his! Launch of MSNBC, another left-leaning network, during his time as an NBC executive home from... Last year, more than Disney or even Netflix, shouted that public companies could not dabble porn. In super PAC donations loomed as we scoured the FEC database, another left-leaning network, during his time an. The WarnerMedia deal was cooked up is now on the scale [ 15 ], put thumb... Why I got a COVID shot: then I was WRONG can your... Loomed as we scoured the FEC database donation record of any media owner was Michael Bloomberg, who led merger! Fec database in a transaction which closed in March 2018 shot: then I was WRONG CNN AFTER FAILING DISCLOSE. Nbc executive the official campaign arm of Republicans running for Senate seats a continuously updated summary of the tennis. Get in there also contributed $ 100,000 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the official campaign arm of running... The official campaign arm of Republicans running for Senate seats merger partner, facing him his...
