Part 6/9:
CEO David Zaslav has openly acknowledged the necessity of rigorous cost management. Since the merger that created Warner Brothers Discovery, the company has amassed approximately $50 billion in debt. Though some debts have been paid down, the financial burden remains substantial, forcing the company to prioritize short-term savings over long-term growth.
Interestingly, Zaslav garnered criticism for comments about the recent writer’s strike, claiming that the company saved around $100 million by pausing projects. While such delays may improve cash flow temporarily, industry analysts emphasize that writers and actors are essential for future content creation, and halting productions could hinder long-term profitability.