What Does WarnerMedia/Discovery (WMD) Merger Mean For DC Comics?
The times are indeed changing over at Warner Bros with the proposed merger with Discovery. Earlier in the week, AT&T and Discovery, Inc. announced a deal under which AT&T's WarnerMedia will be spun off and combined with Discovery in a new standalone media company. The deal, subject to regulatory approval via the FCC, would combine two treasure troves of content, including the HBO Max and Discovery+ streaming services.
It’s an admission of defeat with AT&T in their attempt to get into the Hollywood business with lackluster subscription numbers for the HBO Max even with Warner Bros films debuting on the streaming service on the same day as in theaters, in addition to controversies with talent (directors, producers, actors, etc.) and the Justice League situation over at DC Films division.
With the troubles with the DC Comics brand as a whole, the merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery is already in full force, and the potential fallout is coming. But it’s a small factor according to Discovery CEO David Zaslav, taking over from Jason Kilar at WarnerMedia. According to Bleeding Cool:
“Being part of WMD, a company specifically devoted to media could be a plus for DC Comics, but any change in ownership usually leads to a period of disruption…and the DC team's had way too much of that in recent years. And with regulatory approvals needed, we are still looking at at least a year to negotiate the deal, put new bosses in place, and maybe, just maybe, wonder what the hell they are going to do with this comic book publisher they own. Zaslav says that his ‘number one priority’ is building up ‘relationships with the creative community,’ which sounds nice, but could mean anything. Especially as he added that the new company ‘will not stop until we have the No. 1 global entertainment company, reaching people on every device.’”
Source(s): Bleeding Cool