tips@mediaite.com, Joe DePaolo is a Senior Editor at Mediaite. [40] Some of those projects were "practically finished" or in the late stages of post-production, including Batgirl and Scoob! That leaves $1 billion unaccounted for. Last year, Zaslav vowed to take a hands-on role in the operations of CNN. You may change or cancel your subscription or trial at any time online. 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. His well-documented views were notsecret. CNN, like MSNBC, serves liberal audiences. See Barrs tweets at the bottom of this post. "He had an incredible knack for developing strong relationships. Having pulled off the media coup of the decade, the energetic executive will preside over the Warner-Discovery group. President and CEO, Discovery David Zaslav speaks onstage during the 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. He's unsentimental and quick to rotate executives if they are not performing, though his key aides have been with him for years. Follow him on Twitter: @joe_depaolo. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, whose media giant is set to close itsmerger with CNNs owner WarnerMediathis spring, made the surprise remark during a discussion about the networks future days after theabrupt resignation of the networks president, Jeff Zucker. [6][7], Zaslav was born to a Polish and Ukrainian Jewish family[8][9][10][11] in Brooklyn, New York. In awarding Zaslav his 2020 cash bonus, the board determined the Discovery chief Jeff Zucker is considered to be the person responsible for the CNNs shift away from the nonpartisan outlet it was before his tenure. By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. 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. Loeffler is running for reelection to the Senate. didn't, they say, have many progressive ideas. Discovery executives are treating Zuckersunexpected exit as a fresh startfor CNN, according to the networks own media reporter, Brian Stelter. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 2023 Variety Media, LLC. Discovery and has publicly committed to keeping CNN after the merger. "It's the only media company that I've worked with in the last two decades where building a unified global presence was a core part of the strategy," said Joe Ravitch, co-founder of Raine, the media-focused merchant bank. "From my perspective, news is going to be a critical element," Zaslav said. "David Zaslav: "The future of cable is that it's declining" but says "It offers a unique proposition to advertisers. Only 60 people in media leadership had donated more than$2,000 to a political candidate since 2019. The TV deal maker will head the new venture formed by his companys merger with AT&Ts WarnerMedia, as he seeks to build a streaming juggernaut. In another coup, in 2008, Zaslav convinced Winfrey to go into business with him and create a cable channel together. The Daily Callers OmeedMalik donated $150,000. Is it a good one? If youd like to retain your premium access and save 20%, you can opt to pay annually at the end of the trial. The Evans events promised a sort of promiscuous elegance: Behind one door you would find the esteemed Helmut Newton photographing two lissome nudes passionately entwined; or Teddy Kennedy swigging beer amidst a bevy of starlets; or Henry Kissinger explaining Vietnam policy to Jill St. John; or agent Sue Mengers disseminating film gigs along with quality weed. Its only occasional visitor is David Zaslav, newly minted king of Hollywood, who comes to commune with its ghosts and summon up plans for its glistening future. Hilton Howell of Gray Television gave $17,600. Why? [20][21], Zaslav became CEO of Discovery Communications in November 16, 2006, succeeding Judith McHale. David Zaslav, Hollywoods new mogul. Where do they give money for political gain around regulation and governance? [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. 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. Is this newly minted class of wealth really absent from politics and political influence? In his contract extension, Zaslav also received stock options valued at $190 million, making him one of the highest-paid entertainment executives in the world. Malone, who sits on the Discovery Communications Inc., board of directors, said in November he wanted to see CNNrevert to nonpartisan journalism following thecompletion of a mergerthat would put it under the Discovery umbrella. Under Zuckers leadership, CNN cultivated an antagonistic relationship with former President Donald Trump and other prominent conservatives. His reputation for speed gave Discovery an edge over Comcast as a merger partner. 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. Discovery CEO David Zaslav addressed the companys controversial decision this week to cancel releases for Batgirl and Scoob! Fox News positions itself as a conservative-leaning network, serving those on the political right. And now, the former lawyer for Discovery founder John Hendricks is the new king of media, set to oversee $20 billion in content spend, topping Netflix's $17 billion. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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He noted that the recent run of corporate executives giving to Republicans is a sign that the campaign is fervently calling these donors. His Greenwich Village home where the WarnerMedia deal was cooked up is now on the market, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Discovery in April 2022. Zaslav also oversaw NBCUniversal's interests in A&E, The History Channel, The Biography Channel, National Geographic International, the Sundance Channel and TiVo. [13][14] He was captain of the varsity tennis team.[15]. Zucker abruptly resigned this week after admitting he failed to properly disclose his relationship with another senior executive, CNN chief marketing officer Allison Gollust. But we dont. For cost savings, you can change your plan at any time online in the Settings & Account section. Now he will oversee WarnerMedia. So I think it's going to be around a lot longer than people think.". That employee makes $66,689, so it would take them 565 years to equal Zaslavs annual compensation. ", JEFF ZUCKER OUT AT CNN AFTER FAILING TO DISCLOSE CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH COLLEAGUE: I WAS WRONG. I probably shouldnt have said that.. But times have changed. 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. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Pre-pandemic, David Zaslav's end-of-summer parties in the Hamptons were a legendary networking event for anyone in media. S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, "Discovery Communications 2011 Proxy Filing", "AT&T announces $43 billion deal to merge WarnerMedia with Discovery", "Discovery Chief Got Options Valued at $190 Million on Eve of AT&T Deal", "Discovery Hands CEO David Zaslav Stock Options Valued At $190M In Contract Extension; Sets Base Salary At $3M, Target Bonus At $20M Update", "Compensation Information for David M. Zaslav, President and Chief Executive Officer of DISCOVERY INC", Variety Magazine: "Industry Heavyweights Support Auschwitz 70th Anniversary Commemoration" by Cynthia Littleton, Jewish Business News: "Steven Spielberg And David Zaslav Commemorate Auschwitz Liberation 70th Anniversary", Algemeiner Journal: "Hollywood Heavyweights to Join Spielberg at Auschwitz Commemoration Ceremony in Poland", The Cable Center: "David Zaslav: Oral and Video Collection Interview", "David Zaslav 2004 Oral and Video History", "10 Things You Didn't Know About David Zaslav", "MIPCOM: Discovery CEO David Zaslav Celebrated as Personality of the Year", http://corporate.discovery.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/DZ-bio-8.7.15.pdf, "New Chief at Discovery Is 2nd Senior Executive to Leave NBC This Week", "Manhattan Jewish Historical Initiative, 4th Annual Jewish Hall of Fame Class of 2020 | World Liberty TV - Multicultural Online TV", "David Zaslav, President and CEO, Discovery Communications", "Zaslav Holds To Growth Plan At Discovery", "Planet Green Moves Away From Its Eco Theme", "Tuned In: The Hub Network Offers Programs for Younger Children", "Discovery, Winfrey to Team Up On Network", "TCA: Discovery Sets Launch Date For Velocity, Adds Big Names to 'Curiosity', Preps Science Channel's 'Trek Nation', Introduces 'Weed' Team", "Discovery Launches Velocity Channel, Aimed at Rich Men", "Discovery Hopes for Payoff on Crime Channel", "Discovery Closes Scripps Acquisition, Creating Non-scripted Content Giant", "Media Companies, Seeing Profit Slip, Push Into Education (Published 2012)", "Discovery Rebrands Velocity as Motor Trend Network (EXCLUSIVE)", "Discovery completes Scripps deal, targets OTT opportunities", "David Zaslav And John Stankey Outline Plans For Merging Discovery And WarnerMedia, Addressing Future Of Jason Kilar, CNN, Streaming", "Warner Bros. The development comes as the presumptive Democratic nominee has expanded his lead in the polls over President Donald Trump. 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. There are just under 100 days until Election Day. Listen to a portion New York (CNN Business)Discovery ( DISCA) CEO David Zaslav praised CNN on Friday and said "news is going to be really critical" to the future of the soon to be combined Warner Bros. Discovery, despite the sudden ouster of CNN boss Jeff Zucker earlier this week. met 98.2% of his quantitative goals and 100% of his qualitative goals. Were running our business," Zaslav said. 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. Did Elon Musk, one of the biggest donors to Wikipedia, reallygive only $40,000 to political leaders and causesin 2020-21? If only houses could talk: This one, however, is a battered shadow of its proud Regency past, its interior walls torn apart, trucks parked on its tennis court. Biden has said he wants to raise the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21%. According to Deadline, he even made it known that corporate procedures had to be followed to the letter in regards to Zucker., Have a tip we should know? Correction: Mediaite has learned Zaslav was referring to the left side of the Discovery portfolio, not the left side of the political aisle. There will once again be parties and stars and perhaps arguments. 2023 CNBC LLC. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for WarnerMedia) (Getty Images). On Friday morning, he shocked CNBC hosts by calling the network 'the leader of news to the left'. Discovery Chief Executive Officer David Zaslavs total compensation fell more than 17% in 2020, topping out at $37.7 million. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for WarnerMedia). Zaslav earned a BS degree from Binghamton University. If the medium controls the message, then we are asking these questions to make out your character, media owners. 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. The lack of transparency in super PAC donations loomed as we scoured the FEC database. The index wasmore popular than anticipated. Spurred by the rapid proliferation of social media platforms, with questionable content,and a formerpresident who pummeled our free press repeatedly, its no wonder Americans are left wary and our information ecosystem is in shambles. His backers have praised him for keeping his average cost of content to about $400,000 an hour while his rivals now spend $5 million and more. It is nearly impossible to know where the money is spent,even if you can run down the roster of donors. We've received your submission. "Who do they want managing the economy: Trump (Mnuchin, Powell, Kudlow) or Biden (Bernie, Warren and AOC)?," Bailey said. Edge over Comcast as a conservative-leaning network, serving those on the political right corporate executives giving Republicans..., you can change your plan at any time online in the operations CNN. After FAILING to DISCLOSE CONSENSUAL relationship with former President Donald Trump [ 20 ] [ 14 ] he captain... 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