WarnerMedia Begins Layoffs In Latest Streamlining Effort

Jill Goldsmith Co-Business EditorWarnerMedia parent AT&T is looking to sell a chunk of satellite broadcaster DirecTV to private equity investors, according to the Wall Street Journal, as the the heavily indebted wireless giant pivots to media.Suitors include Apollo Global Management, which is said to have expressed interest last year, and Platinum Equity.AT&T declined to comment.AT&T acquired DirecTV in 2015 for $49 billion.

Also Read: How Sports TV Ratings Have Fared in Return From Pandemic Shutdowns“Shaq is so critical to our success, and such a huge part of the heart and soul of our coverage,” said Jeff Zucker, Chairman, WarnerMedia News and Sports.  “We are lucky to be able to have him as part of our family every single day, and I am personally so thrilled to see that continue for a long time to come.”O’Neal played 19 seasons in the NBA for the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat most notably, and

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorShaquille ONeal’s new deal with WarnerMedia will have him analyzing NBA games, but it could also put him in the wrestling ring and in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.The AT&T-owned entertainment company said Monday that it struck a new “multi-year” deal with the celebrated basketball analyst that will extend his reach beyond his regular duties on Turner Sports.

Dade Hayes Finance EditorEXCLUSIVE: WarnerMedia-owned anime outfit Crunchyroll is adding two additional subscription streaming tiers.The core $8-a-month service surpassed 3 million subscribers earlier this summer. It will continue as the “Fan” plan.

who on Thursday tweeted “After 5 weeks of interviews with various cast/crew, @WarnerMedia has officially launched an independent third-party investigation to get to the heart of the toxic and abusive work environment created during Justice League reshoots.

Anthony D'Alessandro Editorial Director/Box Office EditorDeadline has confirmed that WarnerMedia has had an ongoing investigation being conducted on the Justice League production ever since Cyborg star Ray Fisher tweeted back on July 1 about director Joss Whedon’s “gross, abusive” conduct on set.

Adam B. Vary Senior Entertainment WriterWarnerMedia has launched an investigation into the production of “Justice League,” a source with knowledge at the company confirmed to Variety.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorWarnerMedia has yet to install a new president of ad sales but in the meantime, it has given some new duties to one of its senior ad-sales executives.Joe Hogan has temporarily been given oversight of media sales at Xandr, the ad-tech unit that was operated separately from WarnerMedia’s ad sales efforts until April, when the two operations were combined, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Naman Ramachandran Naomie Harris, Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe supporting actress nominee for “Moonlight,” narrates the latest video from environmental activists Extinction Rebellion.Released Friday, the animated explainer video titled “Extinction Emergency, and Why We Must Act Now” summarizes the planet’s biodiversity loss, runaway consumerism and the current ecological crisis and how the consequences will affect millions of lives around the world.

Dade Hayes Finance EditorIn an interview with CNBC, WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar addressed the launch of HBO Max, conceded a “mistake” with HBO branding and comparing Max with Disney and NBCUniversal’s streaming efforts.Today’s interview (watch a large chunk of it above) was Kilar’s first since major layoffs hit WarnerMedia this week.

A reorganization, including major layoffs, at WarnerMedia is designed to allow the AT&T entertainment unit to refocus on streaming as a key growth opportunity, CFO John Stephens told an investor conference on Tuesday.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorThe broad restructuring at WarnerMedia is a “natural progression” for the media conglomerate to hone its focus on HBO Max, according to John Stephens, AT&T’s chief financial officer.WarnerMedia laid off hundreds of employees Monday across Warner Bros., HBO and DC Entertainment. That came after a major management shakeup under new CEO Jason Kilar, under which HBO Max content leaders Robert Greenblatt and Kevin Reilly were let go and Warner Bros.

Dade Hayes Finance EditorAT&T CFO John Stephens said the layoffs currently affecting WarnerMedia should not be seen as a course correction after the May launch of HBO Max, but rather as a “refocusing” of the company.The executive discussed the reductions of about 600 WarnerMedia staffers and many other topics during an online appearance Tuesday at the Oppenheimer Technology, Internet & Communications Conference.Starting Friday and continuing into this week, the restructuring was punctuated by

Nellie Andreeva Co-Editor-in-Chief, TVWarner Bros.’ DC Entertainment was one of the divisions hard hit by the companywide layoffs today.The high-profile DC departures include Bob Harras, DC Editor-In-Chief; Hank Kanalz, SVP Publishing Strategy & Support Services; Bobbie Chase,, VP, Global Publishing Initiatives & Digital Strategy; and Brian Cunningham, senior story editor, Deadline has confirmed. Warner Bros.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterDC Comics and streaming service DC Universe have been impacted by parent company WarnerMedia’s corporate realignment, with layoffs at both units.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorAmid hundreds of layoffs, WarnerMedia is still preparing for one crucial hire.The media company has yet to name a president to lead its advertising-sales efforts, and has not filled the position since executives abruptly pushed out industry veteran Donna Speciale in July of 2019 after she wrangled millions from sponsors to support WarnerMedia’s most recent programming cycle in haggling that was largely driven by conversations about digital opportunities.

Also Read: 6 Burning Questions After WarnerMedia's Massive RestructureThe layoffs come a few days after WarnerMedia underwent a massive reorganization that led to the departure of two top executives.Kilar shattered the traditional walls of the studio, television and premium cable divisions, rolled all content creation into one operation, while also creating a separate focus on HBO Max that places the nascent streamer at the forefront of its business strategy.

Nellie Andreeva Co-Editor-in-Chief, TVIt is a difficult day at WarnerMedia, which is undergoing a round of major layoffs, part of a companywide restructuring spearheaded by new CEO Jason Kilar.As part of realignment, leaving the company are Jeffrey R. Schlesinger President, Warner Bros.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaHundreds of employees at WarnerMedia are being let go on Monday as part of a company-wide restructuring. Impacted staffers began getting informed about the cuts at roughly 10:30 am PT.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorWarnerMedia is expected to let go of at least 800 staffers at its Warner Brothers and HBO operations as part of a broad restructuring put in place by the unit’s CEO, Jason Kilar.Warner Brothers is expected to commence layoffs of around 650 people starting Monday, according to people familiar with the matter, while HBO is seen shedding between 150 and 175 staffers.