Warner Bros. Discovery

David Zaslav (CEO) has a strong track record. He successfully transformed Discovery from a cable network owner into a global content producer. Analysts note his deep industry experience, and he has moved boldly on streaming expansion.

Leadership seems aligned in the near term: Zaslav owns minimal equity but has said investor returns come from debt reduction and eventual growth. However, governance concerns have arisen: in 2025 shareholders voted down Zaslav’s pay package by nearly 60%, reflecting discontent with executive compensation amidst layoffs.

No founder leads the company, which reduces potential conflicts. In sum, management has shown strategic vision and a willingness to execute tough changes (and leverage its content library), but recent controversies (CNN+ shutdown, high pay) temper the score.

On balance, we rate management as capable and motivated, though not “owner-oriented” by the book.