Sprecher's total was the most he's given in the past two presidential election cycles. In an interview on CNBC Friday, Discovery CEO David Zaslav, as part of an assessment of his brands portfolio, took stock of CNNs place in the public consciousness and said this: CNBC host Joe Kernen immediately seized on the comment. You may change or cancel your subscription or trial at any time online. Transparency matters. The index wasmore popular than anticipated. and other data for a number of reasons, such as keeping FT Sites reliable and secure, Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Add to that the billions of dollars from super PACsused to fund political content pushed by new digital channels and influencers. 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David Zaslav, President and Chief Executive Officer of WBD, commented: With the major restructuring decisions behind us, this year we are focused on building and growing our businesses for the future, and were off to a great start. Discovery Chief Executive Officer David Zaslavs total compensation fell more than 17% in 2020, topping out at $37.7 million. That was down from the $45.8 million that Zaslav pulled in the previous year and significantly down from the massive $129.4 million in compensation that the Discovery chief earned in 2018, which included the value of stock options that amounted to more than $100 million as part of a new employment contract. Indeed, after the Discovery and Scripps deal, Zaslav promised to wring $350 million in synergies from the business, but by the time the integration was done, the Discovery boss had cut his way to $1 billion. Discovery, weighing in on content, forcing out executives and cutting costly projects like CNN+ while schmoozing with top Hollywood talent. Super PACs have the freedom to report only twice a year, so there may be more to come. But even if that crowd decided to arrive, it would not include the late Evans or his panache (he died in 2019). The issue is that not enough of his Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) I do. He also said, per Deadline: I think overall wed probably be better off if we just had news networks in America, rather than those with an opinion element. One Warner executive told friends that Zaslav's unexpected arrival would bring structure and order versus the "move-fast and break things" style of the WarnerMedia's current chief executive, Jason Kilar, whose future with the company is still unclear. Story tips can be sent tobrian.flood@fox.comand on Twitter: @briansflood. CNN, like MSNBC, serves liberal audiences. Discovery in April 2022. The executive who is soon to take over CNN appeared to make a candid admission about where he sees the network. Who is David Zaslav? The combination has promised $3 billion in synergies. But we dont. or redistributed. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Newsmax owner Chris Ruddy gave $365,000 to Donald Trump and his super PACs. Zucker abruptly resigned this week after admitting he failed to properly disclose his relationship with another senior executive, CNN chief marketing officer Allison Gollust. Biden has said he wants to raise the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21%. Zaslav was speaking at the Paley International Council Summit when he made the remarks, which were covered by several news outlets virtually attending the media event. There are just under 100 days until Election Day. Zaslav earned a BS degree from Binghamton University. JEFF ZUCKERS CNN EXIT: FIERY MEETING, SOMBER CONFERENCE CALL PROVE MANY STAFFERS ALREADY MISS FORMER BOSS, "So youve got a guy whos run it for nine years," Kernen said, referring to Zucker. Afsaneh Beschloss, NPR Board of Directors, gave $614,300. offers FT membership to read for free. Market data provided by Factset. In September 2020, Zaslav confided to a close friend that he was concerned about the fate of the company he'd spent 15 years building. Jean-Briac Perrette, president and CEO of Discovery International, earned $10.4 million total compensation, down from $14.4 million in 2019. We use His Greenwich Village home where the WarnerMedia deal was cooked up is now on the market, according to The Hollywood Reporter. We have this great entertainment menu, which should keep people in the home, from the kids to the grandparents. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Disclosure: Mathias Dpfner, CEO of Business Insider's parent company, Axel Springer, is a Netflix board member. USA TODAY's opinionnewsletter:Get the best insights and analysis delivered to your inbox. Roy Bailey, a Texas businessman who is leading fundraising efforts for the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee, explained that business leaders he speaks with says there is a concern that Biden will be influenced by more progressive leaders, such as as Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez if he became president. Barry Diller, owner of The Daily Beast and Investopedia, gave $120,000. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Of those donations, $1 million went to America First Action, a pro-Trump super PAC. Where do they give money for political gain around regulation and governance? A Real Clear Politics polling average shows Biden ahead of Trump by close to 10 points. A Wall Street financial advisory firm recently told their clients they don't expect Biden to lean too far to the left as the policy recommendations put together by allies of Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders didn't, they say, have many progressive ideas. David Zaslav the CEO of Discovery Inc., and Bob Iger, the former CEO of Disney who is now the company's executive chairman, are among the top executive Democratic donors from the second quarter. "He had an incredible knack for developing strong relationships. Other notable S&P 500 CEO contributions to Republican led groups in the second quarter include Robert Bradway, the chief executive of biopharmaceutical company Amgen; Daniel Amos, the CEO of insurance giant Aflac; and Gregory Brown, the CEO of Motorola Solutions. Jeffrey Sprecher, the CEO of the Intercontinental Exchange and husband to Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., who came under scrutiny for their stock dealings during the start of the coronavirus pandemic, gave nearly $1.3 million during the April-June quarter. I wrote about why I got a COVID shot:Then I was fired from my job. becoming the first announced candidate for the party. [45] His daughter Ali Zaslav is a congressional producer with CNN.[53]. In his contract extension, Zaslav also received stock options valued at $190 million. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. The public reason given was that Zucker didn't disclose a sexual relationship with CNN executive Allison Gollust, which immediately raised eyebrows as their relationship was widely known. David Zaslav does not give an answer when asked about Jeff Zucker's future at a combined WarnerMedia and Discovery because the deal hasn't closed yet, Ken Auletta: "What's the future of cable? Laurene Powell Jobs donated over $2 million. For context, OpenSecrets reported that political spending in the 2020 election reached $14 billion, the most expensive election ever. David Zaslav has been enjoying a stock runup after Wall Street analysts expressed increased optimism about Warner Bros. Zaslavs battles will be more expensive. And then were the leader in news to the left, Zaslav told CNBC on Friday. James Murdoch, who left the family Fox News business, donated over $2.25 Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, gave $500,000 mostly to Democrats. (CNBC Screenshot). Journalism is not meant to be public relations for political parties. [9][10][47] In 2012, he received the Steven J. Ross Humanitarian Award from the UJA-Federation of New York[48] which honors people of vision, energy and sustained achievement in the entertainment, media and communications industries. Henry Kravis and George Roberts, owners of Business Insider and the German news empire Axel Springer and who recently purchased Politico and co-founded KKR Private Equity, collectively gave over $1.2 million. [46] He is chair of the Auschwitz: The Past Is Present Committee which promotes awareness of the Holocaust. He's unsentimental and quick to rotate executives if they are not performing, though his key aides have been with him for years. David Zaslav, Discovery's CEO, will lead the combined Discovery-WarnerMedia. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. Zaslav, known for delivering fast yes or nos to business partners, would be able to move ahead with speed. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Zaslav's executive compensation package includes an annual salary of $3 million with an annual $22 million bonus. In his New York days, Zaslav liked friends like Ron Perelman, Lorne Michaels and Jeff Zucker to hang at his Hamptons parties. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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Last year, Zaslav vowed to take a hands-on role in the operations of CNN. Discovery chief says 'Journalism First' is new mandate at CNN "It's the only media company that I've worked with in the last two decades where building a unified global presence was a core part of the strategy," said Joe Ravitch, co-founder of Raine, the media-focused merchant bank. Where the country was when we launched MSNBC was much more fact-based and less divided.. Email him here: joed@mediaite.com Jeff Zucker is considered to be the person responsible for the CNNs shift away from the nonpartisan outlet it was before his tenure. Having pulled off the media coup of the decade, the energetic executive will preside over the Warner-Discovery group. Zaslavs comment drew a surprised response from CNBC host Joe Kernan, who wondered aloud if it was a reference to CNNs ideological bent. [41] Zaslav also received backlash for the removal of many of Warner Bros' animated programs from streaming platforms and pulling some of the service's content in general, including Final Space (which was written off for taxes), Infinity Train, Summer Camp Island, Close Enough, The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo and several hundred episodes of Sesame Street, among others, a decision Infinity Train creator Owen Dennis remarked rendered many of the programs effectively as "lost media". For a full comparison of Standard and Premium Digital, click here. That was down from the $45.8 million that Zaslav pulled in the pr While Evans principal scenario was to package the chemistry between filmmakers and top stars, Zaslavs social objectives may be more corporately focused. We want to hear from you. Zaslav had a hand in the launch of MSNBC, another left-leaning network, during his time as an NBC executive. The Discovery CEO also took aim at Fox News, describing the conservative outlet as much more of an advocacy network than a news network. I think overall wed probably be better off if we just had news networks in America, Zaslav said. It's unclear which political direction Discovery CEO David Zaslav wants to take the network in. According to campaignmoney.com, during the 2020 election cycle Zaslav donated $124,250 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee out of his total $253,250 in political donations. She also wrote a $46,100 check to the McCarthy Victory Fund in June. Not long ago when he dropped by his new home he ordered some changes: Michael Smith, the celebrity designer who President Obama hired to design his private quarters at the White House, will now tackle the Evans house. Safra Catz, the CEO of Oracle, gave $125,000 in May to the Trump Victory committee, a joint fundraising operation between the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee. The most significant donation record of any media owner was Michael Bloomberg, who donated $140 million during his run for president. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Discovery CEO Zaslav Surprises CNBC Host By Saying CNN is The Leader in News to the Left of Discoverys Portfolio (Correction) By Joe DePaolo Feb 4th, 2022, 9:07 am Twitter share button personalising content and ads, providing social media features and to [20][21], Zaslav became CEO of Discovery Communications in November 16, 2006, succeeding Judith McHale. ", Zaslavs comments contradict a Deadline report that Malone "made it known that corporate procedures had to be followed to the letter in regards to Zucker," therefore, "being that WarnerMedias standards of business conduct require disclosure of relationships that develop with a boss and subordinate, Zuckers goose was officially cooked.". He's also known for squeezing costs out of operations, which could concern WarnerMedia employees who've already been through years of restructuring under AT&T. David Michael Zaslav (born January 15, 1960)[1] is an American media executive who currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Warner Bros. Standard Digital includes access to a wealth of global news, analysis and expert opinion. "It's clear Team Trump needs to break the glass and pull the fire alarm. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said Friday on CNBC that he had nothing to do with Jeff Zuckers CNN exit. During Thursdays meeting, Zaslav warned that staff reductions were likely as he continued to remove layers of management and combines jobs. His reputation for speed gave Discovery an edge over Comcast as a merger partner. CNBC then cut away from Zaslav for breaking news on the January jobs report but came back to the Discovery honcho afterwards. Simply log into Settings & Account and select "Cancel" on the right-hand side. Barr also said Zaslav did not give an answer when asked about current CNN boss Jeff Zuckers future at the soon-to-be combined company. He's used his salary to buy some of the most sought-after real estate around, buying the Hollywood home of "The Godfather" film director Robert Evans for $16 million and snapping up Conan O'Brien's apartment on Central Park West. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Have a tip or story idea? His 2020 pay was $37 million, and the WarnerMedia deal would entitle him to some 14.8 million in options, worth $190 million, according to The Wall Street Journal. Newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox donations, $ 1 million went to first! She also wrote a $ 46,100 check to the McCarthy Victory david zaslav political party June..., who wondered aloud if it was a reference to CNNs ideological bent wrote about why i a! 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