David Zaslav
David Michael Zaslav (born January 15, 1960) is an American media executive who has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Warner Bros. Discovery since the April 2022 merger of Discovery, Inc. and WarnerMedia. Previously, he served as CEO of Discovery, Inc. from 2006. Under his leadership, Warner Bros. Discovery has become one of the world's largest media and entertainment conglomerates, though his tenure has been marked by intense controversy over project cancellations, content removals, massive compensation, and cost-cutting measures that have made him one of Hollywood's most criticized executives.
Zaslav's $247 million compensation in 2021 (the merger year) made him one of the highest-paid executives in corporate America and drew fierce criticism from labor unions, progressive politicians, and industry observers who contrasted his pay with cost-cutting, layoffs, and project cancellations. His decisions to cancel nearly-completed films including Batgirl for tax write-offs, remove hundreds of titles from streaming platforms, and take a hardline position during 2023 Hollywood strikes have made him a polarizing figure. At Boston University's 2023 commencement, he was booed throughout his speech, reflecting his negative public image.
Early life and education
David Michael Zaslav was born on January 15, 1960, in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jewish family with roots in Poland and Ukraine. At age eight, his family moved to Ramapo, New York, in suburban Rockland County, where he attended Ramapo High School.
Zaslav earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Binghamton University (part of the State University of New York system), then attended Boston University School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree with honors in 1985. He began his career as an attorney with the law firm LeBoeuf, Lamb, Leiby & MacRae in New York, specializing in media and communications law.
Career
NBCUniversal (1989-2006): Zaslav moved from law practice to media operations at NBCUniversal, where he helped develop and launch cable channels CNBC (business news) and MSNBC (news and politics). This experience in building cable networks from scratch would prove valuable at Discovery.
Discovery CEO (2006-2022): In 2006, Zaslav became President and CEO of Discovery, Inc., then a smaller cable network operator known for Discovery Channel. He transformed the company through aggressive acquisition and expansion:
- Acquired Animal Planet, TLC, HGTV, Food Network
- Launched or acquired international channels globally
- Took the company public in 2008
- Acquired Scripps Networks Interactive for $14.6 billion (2018)
- Built Discovery into one of cable television's largest non-fiction content producers
Warner Bros. Discovery (2022-present): In April 2022, Discovery merged with WarnerMedia (including Warner Bros. studios, HBO, CNN, and numerous other assets) in a deal valued at $43 billion. Zaslav became CEO of the combined Warner Bros. Discovery, one of the world's largest media companies with iconic brands, massive content libraries, and complex streaming strategies.
Controversies
Project Cancellations for Tax Write-Offs: Beginning August 2022, Zaslav received massive criticism for cancelling substantially completed or finished projects to claim tax write-offs, including:
- Batgirl – a $90 million superhero film in post-production
- Coyote vs. Acme – a live-action/animated film nearly complete
- Scoob! Holiday Haunt – animated sequel in late post-production
These cancellations shocked Hollywood, as studios rarely shelve finished films. The strategy prioritized short-term tax benefits over creative work and audience expectations, drawing accusations of disrespecting filmmakers and treating art as purely financial assets.
Content Removal: Zaslav ordered removal of hundreds of titles from HBO Max and other WB Discovery platforms, including:
- Original series like Westworld and Final Space
- Nearly 200 Sesame Street episodes
- Numerous other shows and films
Creators protested that removing content made their work "lost media" inaccessible to audiences. The removals saved ongoing licensing and residual payments but damaged relationships with talent.
Hollywood Strikes (2023): During the 2023 Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes, Zaslav became a focal point of union anger. Picketers singled him out, and progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized him at a Manhattan rally, asking "How many private jets does David Zaslav need?" His compensation and cost-cutting made him a symbol of executive excess versus worker struggles.
Compensation Criticism: Zaslav's pay packages have drawn intense scrutiny:
- 2021: $247 million (including merger-related stock options)
- Ranked #2 on Fortune's "Most Overpaid CEOs" list (2022)
- His compensation exceeded $50 million in 2023, a year when WBD lost $11.5 billion
China Relations: In February 2024, U.S. congressmen criticized World's Ultimate Frontier, a joint Discovery-China Global Television Network production, for "whitewashing genocide" of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
Boston University Commencement (2023): Zaslav gave the commencement address at his alma mater and was booed throughout his speech by graduating students protesting his actions.
Personal life
David Zaslav is married to Pam Zaslav, and they have three children. The family maintains residences in New York and reportedly Florida. Despite his high-profile controversies, Zaslav keeps his family life private.