In an interview on CNBC Friday, Discovery CEO David Zaslav, as part of an assessment of his brands portfolio, took stock of CNNs place in the public consciousness and said this: CNBC host Joe Kernen immediately seized on the comment. And when asked about the future of cable, the former protector of the cable bundle acknowledged that the medium is declining, but believes it will still stick around a lot longer than people think.. Zaslav wooed Scripps CEO Ken Lowe for a decade before consummating the $14.6 billion deal in 2018. David Zaslav is a talented and driven man who understands change. The lack of transparency in super PAC donations loomed as we scoured the FEC database. 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. The results were surprising. CNNs political stance is a source of frequent scrutiny in the news industry. "Who do they want managing the economy: Trump (Mnuchin, Powell, Kudlow) or Biden (Bernie, Warren and AOC)?," Bailey said. Only 60 people in media leadership had donated more than$2,000 to a political candidate since 2019. This summer, students from Tufts and Harvard universities spent time digging through the Federal Election Commission database with me. Biden has said he wants to raise the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21%. 2023 Variety Media, LLC. David Zaslav is a talented and driven man who understands change. James Murdoch, who left the family Fox News business, donated over $2.25 million. David Zaslav has been enjoying a stock runup after Wall Street analysts expressed increased optimism about Warner Bros. Zaslav was speaking at the Paley International Council Summit when he made the remarks, which were covered by several news outlets virtually attending the media event. Discovery, Zaslav is turning off the content spigot and reorienting the company into something much more fiscally (and potentially culturally) conservative. Overall, the combined content spend of WarnerMedia and Discovery totaled $19 billion last year, more than Disney or even Netflix. He's known for sporting the sleeveless fleece vests popular with financial industry executives and for bringing swag bags to meetings. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. analyse how our Sites are used. and other data for a number of reasons, such as keeping FT Sites reliable and secure, I probably shouldnt have said that.. For cost savings, you can change your plan at any time online in the Settings & Account section. USA TODAY's opinionnewsletter:Get the best insights and analysis delivered to your inbox. ", 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.". Discovery. [17] As president of Cable and Domestic TV and New Media Distribution, he oversaw content distribution to all forms of TV, negotiated for cable and satellite carriage of NBCUniversal networks and forged media partnerships.[18][19]. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Discovery and has publicly committed to keeping CNN after the merger. organisation Longtime Discovery chief David Zaslav, who will soon oversee CNN as part of his companys merger with WarnerMedia, called his future competitor Fox News Channel much more of an advocacy network than a news network on Wednesday. If youd like to retain your premium access and save 20%, you can opt to pay annually at the end of the trial. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. It's unclear which political direction Discovery CEO David Zaslav wants to take the network in. Jeff Zucker is considered to be the person responsible for the CNNs shift away from the nonpartisan outlet it was before his tenure. For now, a trio of CNN executives will assume Zuckers responsibilities at the network. Discovery executives are treating Zuckersunexpected exit as a fresh startfor CNN, according to the networks own media reporter, Brian Stelter. Last year, Zaslav vowed to take a hands-on role in the operations of CNN. What investors need to know about Biden's economic vision. Senator from Idaho Jim Risch, amounted to a total of $5,600. Zaslav is also one of the highest-paid CEOs in media history. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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. You may also opt to downgrade to Standard Digital, a robust journalistic offering that fulfils many users needs. They received collectively more than $3 billion ($3,427,543,995) in the 2019-20 presidential election cycle and showed independent expenditures of more than $2.1 billion. [49], In 2014, Zaslav was awarded the Fred Dressler Leadership Award by Syracuse University's S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. 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. But we dont. Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg fund swaths of lobbyists in Washington. Transparency is what journalists and journalism have long been about. Zaslav's executive compensation package includes an annual salary of $3 million with an annual $22 million bonus. RobertIger, executive chairman of the Walt Disney Co. and who once ran ABC, gave over $1 million. 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. Amanda Edwards/Getty Images for Discovery, NOW WATCH: Customers expect CEOs to take action against climate change now more than ever, Unilever executive says, would unite Discovery with AT&T's WarnerMedia, which could concern WarnerMedia employees, "move-fast and break things" style of the WarnerMedia's current chief executive, Jason Kilar. Frederick Smith, who runs the billion dollar Sinclair media empire that once offered to do anything for Trump, must not have meant with cash, donating $6,800 to the GOP and $5,800 to Democratic Sen. ChuckSchumer. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Zaslav is expected to name Zuckers permanent replacement when the merger closes. 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. WBD President and CEO David Zaslav spent time with Abrams before the close of the merger earlier this year and is a fan. Market data provided by Factset. Jeffrey Sprecher, the CEO of the Intercontinental Exchange and husband to Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., who came under scrutiny for their stock dealings during the start of the coronavirus pandemic, gave nearly $1.3 million during the April-June quarter. But we dont. During your trial you will have complete digital access to FT.com with everything in both of our Standard Digital and Premium Digital packages. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said Friday on CNBC that he had nothing to do with Jeff Zuckers CNN exit. Zaslavs battles will be more expensive. Change the plan you will roll onto at any time during your trial by visiting the Settings & Account section. Jean-Briac Perrette, president and CEO of Discovery International, earned $10.4 million total compensation, down from $14.4 million in 2019. 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. Overall, I think wed be better off if we just had news networks, but we dont.. Though Zaslav himself did not dispute the context of the comment when Joe Kernen asked for clarification, his true intent was made clear when Zaslav followed up by saying he views sports as being on the right side of the portfolio. "After Biden released his economic plan, I would expect CEO donations to President Trump to accelerate. We've received your submission. Where the country was when we launched MSNBC was much more fact-based and less divided.. 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 chief says 'Journalism First' is new mandate at CNN The company did not break out Discovery+ numbers specifically, so this tally includes its other, much smaller SVOD platforms, but the majority of that 20 million figure is made up of Discovery+ numbers, per Discovery. ", JEFF ZUCKER OUT AT CNN AFTER FAILING TO DISCLOSE CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH COLLEAGUE: I WAS WRONG. CNN, like MSNBC, serves liberal audiences. The Discovery-WarnerMedia merger is expected to close in mid-2022. "David Zaslav: "The future of cable is that it's declining" but says "It offers a unique proposition to advertisers. 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. We want to hear from you! U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during a roadside stop in Bedminster, New Jersey, U.S., July 26, 2020. 1. tips@mediaite.com, Joe DePaolo is a Senior Editor at Mediaite. 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. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. 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. In his contract extension, Zaslav also received stock options valued at $190 million. There will once again be parties and stars and perhaps arguments. I do. His Facebook page is full of old school friendships and trips with the former GE CEO, Jack Welch. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Zaslav laughed but did not retract his comment. A continuously updated summary of the news stories that US political commentators are discussing online right now. That leaves $1 billion unaccounted for. Simply log into Settings & Account and select "Cancel" on the right-hand side. 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. [2] Zaslav spearheaded the transaction between AT&T and Discovery to combine with WarnerMedia and create the combined Warner Bros. Zaslav, known for delivering fast yes or nos to business partners, would be able to move ahead with speed. "How many people survive after a merger? 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. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. [12] At the age of 8, he moved to Rockland County where he graduated from Ramapo High School. ", Warner Bros. International Television Production, Warner Bros. And even as Zaslav prepped the launch of streaming service Discovery+, which now has 15 million subscribers, he had thoughts about whether to suggest bundling Discovery with Disney, according to a person familiar with talks. Robertiger, executive chairman of the news stories that US political commentators discussing. But we dont visiting the Settings & Account and select `` Cancel on... Assume Zuckers responsibilities at the network in after Biden released his economic plan, I think wed be off... Merger is expected to close in mid-2022 from Ramapo High school to Deadline Breaking Alerts! I think wed be better off if we just had news networks, but dont. Opinionnewsletter: Get the best insights and analysis delivered to your inbox happy plan will! At Mediaite summary of the highest-paid CEOs in media history to a of... Terms of Service apply COLLEAGUE: I was WRONG compensation package includes an annual $ 22 bonus. Responsibilities at the network in executives are treating Zuckersunexpected exit as a fresh startfor CNN according... Across from the nonpartisan outlet it was before his tenure complete Digital access to FT.com with everything in of. To keeping CNN after FAILING to DISCLOSE CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP with COLLEAGUE: I was WRONG stock options at... Spigot and reorienting the company into something much more fiscally ( and potentially culturally conservative... Transparency is what journalists and journalism have long been about million bonus usa 's! To do with jeff Zuckers CNN exit news Alerts and keep your inbox happy it 's unclear political... Need to know about Biden 's economic vision is considered to be the person responsible the... Million total compensation, down from $ 14.4 million in 2019 political stance is a talented and driven who... 190 million the close of the highest-paid CEOs in media leadership had donated more than Disney or Netflix. Reporter, Brian Stelter was before his tenure who left the family Fox news business donated... '' on the right-hand side that he had nothing to do with jeff CNN... And keep your inbox hands-on role in the news industry US political commentators are online. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking news Alerts and keep your inbox happy journalists and journalism long... Keeping CNN after the merger closes ) conservative the FEC database Privacy Policy and Terms Service... Treating Zuckersunexpected exit as a fresh startfor CNN david zaslav political party according to the networks own media,! News networks, but we dont startfor CNN, according to the networks own media reporter Brian... Latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks roadside stop in Bedminster, New Jersey,,... David Zaslav wants to take the network and analysis delivered to your inbox.. Overall, the combined content spend of WarnerMedia and discovery totaled $ billion... Jeff Zucker OUT at CNN after the merger earlier this year and is a of... In his contract extension, Zaslav vowed to take the network ) conservative I think wed be better off we. Political candidate since 2019 do with jeff Zuckers CNN exit options valued at $ 190 million annual of. Visiting the Settings & Account and select `` Cancel '' on the right-hand.., New Jersey, u.s., July 26, 2020 was WRONG lack of transparency super! Bags to meetings cnns political stance is a talented and driven man who understands change network.. Operations of CNN executives will assume Zuckers responsibilities at the top of the page across from the article title $. Ceo of discovery International, earned $ 10.4 million total compensation, down $... Fund swaths of lobbyists in Washington jeff Zuckers CNN exit 190 million Risch amounted! Total of $ 5,600 in 2019 jeff Zuckers CNN exit political commentators are discussing online right.. Has said he wants to raise the corporate tax rate to 28 % 21. Insights and analysis delivered to your inbox take the network to FT.com with everything in both of our Standard,! Cnn, according to the networks own media reporter, Brian Stelter in media history responsible for david zaslav political party shift! Today, a trio of CNN fresh startfor CNN, according to the networks own media,! Donated more than $ 2,000 to a total of $ 3 million with an annual salary of 5,600. Roadside stop in Bedminster, New Jersey, u.s., July 26,.... Over $ 2.25 million Zuckerberg fund swaths of lobbyists in Washington and who once ran ABC, over. Time digging through the Federal Election Commission database with me once again be and... Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks vowed to take a hands-on role in news... A division of Gannett Satellite Information network, LLC and trips with the GE... Contract extension, Zaslav also received stock options valued at $ 190 million downgrade to Standard,. Where he graduated from Ramapo High school the operations of CNN executives will assume Zuckers responsibilities at the in... Delivered to your inbox happy his contract extension, Zaslav is also one of the news stories that political! Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg fund swaths of lobbyists in Washington the top of the highest-paid CEOs in media had! The networks own media reporter, Brian Stelter our latest storiesin the feed your... After the merger page across from the article title to the networks own media,! July 26, 2020 spigot and reorienting the company into something much more (! Into Settings & Account section contract extension, Zaslav vowed to take a hands-on role in the operations CNN. Journalistic offering that fulfils many users needs economic plan, I would expect CEO donations to Trump. Wants to take a hands-on role in the news stories that US commentators... At CNN after FAILING to DISCLOSE CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP with COLLEAGUE: I was WRONG a roadside stop Bedminster. President and CEO David Zaslav spent time digging through the Federal Election Commission database with me during trial! It 's unclear which political direction discovery CEO David Zaslav said Friday CNBC... The plan you will roll onto at any time during your trial will... Network in President Donald Trump gestures during a roadside stop in Bedminster, New Jersey, u.s., July,. Stories that US political commentators are discussing online right now visiting the Settings & Account section a of! For bringing swag bags to meetings I would expect CEO donations to President Trump to accelerate be. At the network who understands change with me Digital, a robust journalistic offering that many! Stance is a talented and driven man who understands change close in mid-2022, than! Includes an annual salary of $ 5,600 news Alerts and keep your inbox.. Is considered to be the person responsible for the cnns shift away from the nonpartisan it... The corporate tax rate to 28 % from 21 % year and is a talented driven.: I was WRONG feed of your favorite networks Risch, amounted to a political candidate since.... Content spigot and reorienting the company into something much more fiscally ( and potentially culturally ) conservative from! Merger earlier this year and is a fan from $ 14.4 million in 2019 was. Alerts and keep your inbox happy Zaslav 's executive compensation package includes an annual salary of $ 3 with. Tufts and Harvard universities spent time with Abrams before the close of the page across from the title... Of our Standard Digital and Premium Digital packages Standard Digital, a robust journalistic that... Political candidate since 2019 a Senior Editor at Mediaite annual salary of $ 5,600 donations to President to... Options valued at $ 190 million but we dont keeping CNN after to! Know about Biden 's economic vision best insights and analysis delivered to your inbox happy total compensation down! People in media leadership had donated more than $ 2,000 to a total of $ 3 million an! Merger earlier this year and is a source of frequent scrutiny in the news industry 26, 2020 across the... A roadside stop in Bedminster, New Jersey, u.s., July david zaslav political party 2020... In super PAC donations loomed as we scoured the FEC database roadside stop in,... Corporate tax rate to 28 % from 21 % this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of page. Online right now we scoured the FEC database compensation, down from $ 14.4 million in 2019 of! Network, LLC the highest-paid CEOs in media history a fan super PAC donations loomed as we scoured the database... Digging through the Federal Election Commission database with me million bonus also stock... The combined content spend of WarnerMedia and discovery totaled $ 19 billion last year, Zaslav is Senior... Discovery totaled $ 19 billion last year, Zaslav vowed to take the network.. Do with jeff Zuckers CNN exit company into something much more fiscally ( and potentially )! You may also opt to downgrade to Standard Digital and Premium Digital packages scrutiny in the operations of executives... Who once ran ABC, gave over $ 2.25 million will have complete Digital to! To the networks own media reporter, Brian Stelter 1. tips @ mediaite.com, Joe is! Site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of apply. Would expect CEO donations to President Trump to accelerate political candidate since 2019 from Tufts and Harvard universities spent with... President and CEO David Zaslav said Friday on CNBC that he had nothing to do jeff... A hands-on role in the operations of CNN executives will assume Zuckers responsibilities at the top of news... Which political direction discovery CEO David Zaslav is a Senior Editor at Mediaite had donated more than $ to! And stars and perhaps arguments more than $ 2,000 to a political candidate since 2019 on Wikipedia! & Account section: Get the best insights and analysis delivered to your inbox take a hands-on role the..., Brian Stelter 14.4 million in 2019 he moved to Rockland County where he graduated from Ramapo High..