AT&T Chief John Stankey Bids Farewell to WarnerMedia Staff as Discovery Deal Closes

variety.com:

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaAs Discovery closes its deal for WarnerMedia, John Stankey, the AT&T chief who oversaw the telecom company’s abandoned foray into the media world, bid farewell to his soon-to-be former colleagues.

Stankey led AT&T’s acquisition of DirecTV and Time Warner in 2015 and 2018, before replacing Randall Stephenson as CEO role of AT&T in July 2020.“My respect and appreciation for those I have worked closely with is enduring, and I will miss continuing to learn and problem solve with you,” Stankey wrote. “I especially will miss marveling at the work behind the scenes to develop remarkable stories and executions that come from your daily passion.

Your friendship and support when it wasn’t required will always be remembered.” The $43 billion acquisition of WarnerMedia is expected to close as early as Friday, with the new company, rechristened Warner Bros.

Discovery, open for business first thing Monday morning. That will leave David Zaslav, the Discovery chief who masterminded the deal, firmly in control of a company with a portfolio that includes HBO, TNT, CNN, Food Network, HGTV and TLC.