David Zaslav PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Warner Bros. Discovery is set to establish an Integration Office, in which company planning will be coordinated with Netflix, within regulatory requirements, according to a memo sent to WBD employees Friday. The letter, from WBD CEO David Zaslav, comes after Netflix announced its $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. early Friday. Netflix has said that it expects to maintain the current operations of Warner Bros. "including theatrical releases for films.' Discovery will still be spun off into a standalone company, Discovery Global, with CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels to serve as CEO once the new company separates from WBD, which is expected to be completed in Q3 2026. Related Stories Business European Theater Owners Group Opposes Netflix-Warner Bros. Megadeal Business How Paramount Attacked Netflix's Bid for Warner Bros. In the memo, Zaslav noted that the while there will be some collaboration, "until the transaction closes, WBD and Netflix remain separate companies." Warner Bros. Discovery will hold a town hall for its employees Friday. "It may be tempting to reach out directly to counterparts or former colleagues at Netflix, but it is essential that all interactions are managed through this office to ensure we meet every legal and regulatory obligation," the letter adds. He added that many questions still remain on how the acquisition will play out. "What we can say now, based on the direction set out today, is that this structure provides a clearer path forward for Warner Bros. within Netflix, and for Discovery Global as a standalone company. For both, the goal is to position their creative work, talent, and brands to navigate a market that is constantly evolving and increasingly global," he added. Zaslav added that among the other bids and other "strategic paths," the combination with Netflix was viewed as the "strongest long-time foundation" for both businesses. "This decision reflects the realities of an industry undergoing generational change - in how stories are financed, produced, distributed, and discovered - and recognizes the strong, transformed company we are today, the significant value we have created, and the resilience and attractiveness that now position us in a rapidly evolving marketplace,' he wrote in the letter. The full memo from Zaslav is below: Team,The Board of Directors of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) approved a transaction under which Warner Bros. will be acquired by Netflix, subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions, including the completion of the separation of Discovery Global from WBD.
As part of the structure, the Global Networks business will form a new standalone company, Discovery Global, with Gunnar Wiedenfels to serve as CEO once the new company separates from WBD, now expected to be completed in Q3 2026.
This decision reflects the realities of an industry undergoing generational change - in how stories are financed, produced, distributed, and discovered - and recognizes the strong, transformed company we are today, the significant value we have created, and the resilience and attractiveness that now position us in a rapidly evolving marketplace. Over the past several months, the Board evaluated a full set of strategic paths. Their conclusion is that this structure - Warner Bros. joining Netflix, and Discovery Global becoming a focused standalone company - provides the strongest long-term foundation for both sets of businesses.
As outlined in the announcement, the proposed combination of Warner Bros. and Netflix reflects complementary strengths, more choice and value for consumers, a stronger entertainment industry, increased opportunity for creative talent, and long-term value creation for shareholders.I know this announcement creates many questions about what's next. For some, it brings clarity about direction. For others, it raises questions about what this means for their teams and their work. All of those reactions are understandable. A transaction of this nature naturally creates uncertainty, and not all answers will be available immediately. Some will be clarified in the coming days and weeks; others depend on regulatory processes and on work that cannot begin until separation or closing.
People across WBD have navigated extraordinary change over the last three years, while building a company with real creative, journalistic, and commercial strength. That deserves to be acknowledged plainly.
What we can say now, based on the direction set out today, is that this structure provides a clearer path forward for Warner Bros. within Netflix, and for Discovery Global as a standalone company. For both, the goal is to position their creative work, talent, and brands to navigate a market that is c