Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the studio’s performance for more consistent success during a Thursday analyst call. The 2023 success of Barbie, which grossed $1.44 billion globally, set a high benchmark. Zaslav emphasized, however, that the company’s studios business faces challenges from a tough cable TV market impacted by cord-cutting and advertising declines.
On a positive note, he noted that Warner’s TV studio is on track for its most profitable year in scripted content in five years. Recent releases like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice add to the momentum, but Zaslav acknowledged the need for “more consistency” across the board. He also addressed underperformance in the gaming division, expressing confidence in future improvements there.
The studios’ big-screen struggles included Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux, which fell short in its opening weekend. Zaslav described efforts to tighten movie production practices through better green-light governance and franchise management, expecting these changes to yield stronger outcomes over time. Additionally, he praised HBO and DC’s The Penguin, calling it culturally impactful and “appointment viewing.”
CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels echoed optimism, noting that the benefits of Warner’s integrated approach to studios and streaming are starting to show, indicating a promising future for long-term growth.
