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Warner Media/Discovery joint venture; thoughts and discussion

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Readersprite The Very Model of a Modern Intellectual from Hell, Florida, USA Since: Sep, 2021 Relationship Status: Desperate
The Very Model of a Modern Intellectual
#1776: Jun 9th 2025 at 1:55:23 PM

I'm curious why Zaslav didn't choose to go with the cable side, since it's very clear that's where his interests lie.

Like, the film studio and IP ownership side of things he's regularly shown, at best, indifference towards, and outright contempt at worst.

You know that’s actually a really interesting question. Another detail to consider is that, reportedly, Discovery’s streaming service will remain with the cable side, so by remaining on the Warner Streaming side he will in effect be leaving his original company entirely.

I'm guessing its considered the most prestigious of the two, so he wants to keep it?

But to Ibssb’s point, Zaslav has demonstrated something between indifference and contempt for that part of the business. If he cares about it’s perceived prestige, whence the aggressive apathy?

I suppose we don’t know for sure that he won’t retain some control over both sides of the business.

ETA: the interesting question, as it’s a page topper

Edited by Readersprite on Jun 9th 2025 at 4:56:58 AM

I like talking to friends about stories over food.
Booplesnoot Since: Aug, 2023
#1777: Jun 9th 2025 at 3:06:02 PM

So what about shows on the cable networks that use IP from the film side? I know this is the live-action film thread, but one that really jumps out at me is Teen Titans Go on Cartoon Network. While it's not as Adored by the Network as it was in the late 2010s, it's still by far the network's most-aired show. But the Teen Titans characters are owned by DC, which would no longer be part of the same company as the cable networks under this arrangement.

And what about shows that have already been renewed on the cable networks?

Edited by Booplesnoot on Jun 9th 2025 at 3:06:41 AM

Zendervai Since: Oct, 2009
#1778: Jun 9th 2025 at 4:23:58 PM

They’ll keep going. This sort of thing has happened before, and usually what happens isn’t, say, WB going to CN and going “here is the list of shows you will air”. CN has their own budget and they have their own offices and department and they get to decide what they air. It’ll adjust to a separate licensing agreement, but WB won’t sit there and go “well, let’s immediately kill a lot of money making opportunities and force cancel literally everything we’ll now be licensing to these networks”.

In fact, WB would likely prefer to keep doing it, because it moves the financial burden onto the cable networks and WB itself just gets paid to make the shows.

Booplesnoot Since: Aug, 2023
#1779: Jun 9th 2025 at 4:39:45 PM

Ah. Thanks for clearing that up. I was actually really worried, because a lot of the upcoming shows on CN and AS's schedules look fascinating and it would be a shame if they were axed because of the spinoff.

CursedBarney Stocking Suit from Your subconscious (Holding A Herring) Relationship Status: You cannot grasp the true form
Stocking Suit
#1780: Jun 9th 2025 at 7:21:04 PM

But it's okay, 'cause Chuck Lorre is gonna buy the new network company for $2,700!

Fear it... or not.
Booplesnoot Since: Aug, 2023
#1781: Jun 9th 2025 at 7:29:13 PM

Watch it be Elon Musk who does it.

tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#1782: Jun 9th 2025 at 10:40:10 PM

A reminder that even when Disney bought Fox's I Ps, they still make them and the Fox Broadcasting broadcasts them on TV, but Disney can put them on any streaming platform they choose.

Edited by tclittle on Jun 9th 2025 at 12:40:31 PM

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
BigBadShadow25 With my last breath, I curse Zoidberg. from Basement at the Alamo (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: Desperate
With my last breath, I curse Zoidberg.
#1783: Jun 10th 2025 at 8:20:10 AM

Brak VA Andy Merrill has tweeted that there have been layoffs at Cartoon Network and AS due to the split. At least in Atlanta.

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/img_3270_1.jpeg

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/img_3271_1.jpeg

You’re Gonna Carry That Weight.
AegisP Kindhearted SSSSSNAKE Man Since: Oct, 2014 Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
Kindhearted SSSSSNAKE Man
#1786: Jun 10th 2025 at 8:50:25 AM

[up][up] Such a sad but true quote.

As long as this flower is in my heart. My Strength will flow without end.
Kaiseror Since: Jul, 2016
#1787: Jun 10th 2025 at 8:57:50 AM

So what happens to all the shows they had on both?

CursedBarney Stocking Suit from Your subconscious (Holding A Herring) Relationship Status: You cannot grasp the true form
Stocking Suit
#1788: Jun 12th 2025 at 10:07:48 PM

Say goodbye to HBO Family. It's closing by the end of August.

Fear it... or not.
themayorofsimpleton Short-Term Projects Herald | he/him from the Island of Koridai (Captain) Relationship Status: I won't say I'm in love
Short-Term Projects Herald | he/him
#1789: Jun 13th 2025 at 6:48:11 AM

[up] Oh man, I used to watch that network as a young kid. RIP

Works That Require Cleanup of Complaining | Troper Wall
brb1006 (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#1790: Jun 14th 2025 at 4:49:51 PM

[up][up] I remember watching reruns of The Little Lulu Show on HBO Family which aired during the evening during the mid to late 2000s. The channel was also my first introduction to Paddington Bear with The Adventures of Paddington Bear.

I also remember HBO Family used to make occasional animated specials before HBO decided to neglect the network near the end of the 2010s. Their last original special made for HBO Family was The Emperor's Newest Clothes from 2018.

Rabbitearsblog Movie and TV Goddess from United States Since: Jan, 2014 Relationship Status: You cannot grasp the true form
Movie and TV Goddess
#1791: Jun 14th 2025 at 5:40:10 PM

Oh man...I used to watch HBO Family all the time as a kid. What will happen to the shows that show up on HBO Family? I hope they don't take down Crashbox. That was one of my all-time favorite shows!

I love animation, TV, movies, YOU NAME IT!
omega2900 Jemerald of Brainrot from The Midwest, where everything is MID! (Ten years in the joint) Relationship Status: In my bunk
Jemerald of Brainrot
#1792: Jun 14th 2025 at 5:57:46 PM

Better archive it just in case.

Get taxed. Idiot.
brb1006 (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#1793: Jun 14th 2025 at 11:16:18 PM

On the topic of HBO Family, I remember loving the 1999 special The Sissy Duckling which the channel used to frequently air throughout the 2000s. The special starred Harvey Fierstein also the voice of Elmer Duckling and Ed Asner as Father Duck. I also remember seeing HBO Family promoting the heck out of HBO Storybook Musicals during the 2000s with my favorites being the musical adaptation of Mike Mulligan And His Steam Shovel and Peter Rabbit.

Heck, the HBO/HBO Family animated series Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child had an All-Star Cast of actors, comedians, musicians, and celebrities who were popular at the time (1990s for those curious). A similar extend is Storybook Musicals.

While HBO is best-known for shows geared towards an adult audience (Game of Thrones, Rome, Last Week Tonight etc). There was a period between 1987 until the early 2000s when HBO put serious effort into making family-friendly content (both animated and live-action) prior to briefly acquiring Sesame Street.

At least some shows and specials that aired on HBO Family can be viewed on HBO Max/Max.

Edited by brb1006 on Jun 14th 2025 at 2:20:43 PM

kablammin45 art lizer from Cleese's Battle Circuit (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
art lizer
#1794: Jun 14th 2025 at 11:20:32 PM

I loved the Mike Mulligan adaptation growing up. My siblings and I would also sometimes watch Jam as little kids as well (I recall liking A Little Curious and Happily Ever After a lot).

Stuff like that makes me very sad to see HBO Family go even if it was starting to seem like an afterthought among the HBO channels. Sorta feels like there will be a conspicuous hole in the HBO system.

"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."
brb1006 (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#1795: Jun 14th 2025 at 11:24:25 PM

[up] "No Steam Shovels Wanted" from Storybook Musicals has been stuck in my head for 20 years!

XMenMutant22 The Feline Follies of Felix the Cat Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Hoping Senpai notices me
#1796: Jun 16th 2025 at 8:10:21 PM

Per Variety: Zaslav's decision to split the company will “significantly reduce his target annual compensation, including lowering his annual cash compensation opportunity and reorienting the total pay mix toward long-term incentives." A decent paycut, basically, but he's being offered some company stocks as a way of incentivizing him to keep his word about the company split supposedly being a good idea. However, some of these additional compensations are also not guaranteed to be given.

M1gamiTensei The Scrappy of the Trope Pantheon, God of Thumps from Punished “Brainwashed” M1gami Since: Oct, 2017 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
The Scrappy of the Trope Pantheon, God of Thumps
#1797: Jun 16th 2025 at 9:58:20 PM

I genuinely wonder the reason why Zaslav hasnt been punted out is because other exec candidates know the company has a good chance of being a sinking ship if it isnt considered one already

Pantheon server for all who click here. Lost too much money and time, this coaster ain’t stopping.
BigBadShadow25 With my last breath, I curse Zoidberg. from Basement at the Alamo (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: Desperate
With my last breath, I curse Zoidberg.
#1798: Jun 17th 2025 at 3:53:43 AM

WB has been a sinking ship for decades. It’s not going anywhere.

You’re Gonna Carry That Weight.
BigBadShadow25 With my last breath, I curse Zoidberg. from Basement at the Alamo (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: Desperate
With my last breath, I curse Zoidberg.
#1799: Jun 17th 2025 at 7:15:23 AM

Well the rumor mill is starting to churn. One website nobody has heard of dedicated to wrestling is trying to claim they got an insider reporting that Sony wants to buy to buy the studio and streaming half of WB once the split goes down. I’m taking it with a grain of salt.

Edited by BigBadShadow25 on Jun 17th 2025 at 10:15:43 AM

You’re Gonna Carry That Weight.

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