Trump May Increase Opportunity for ‘Needed’ Industry Consolidation, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav Says

variety.com:

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav is hopeful president-elect Donald Trump will put policies in place that would ease media-industry consolidation — which he said would be “a real positive.” Referring to Trump’s election victory, Zaslav said, “We have an upcoming new administration.

It’s too early to tell, but it may offer a pace of change and an opportunity for consolidation that may be quite different, that would provide a real positive and accelerated impact on this industry that’s needed.” Zaslav made the comments on WBD’s third-quarter 2024 earnings call Thursday. “These are great companies, and if the best content is going to win, there needs to be some consolidation in order to have these businesses be stronger and have a better consumer experience,” Zaslav said, echoing comments he has made before.

At the Allen & Co. conference in July, Zaslav said he hoped the next U.S. presidential administration will pave the way for industry consolidation, while he declined to specifically endorse a candidate. “We just need an opportunity for deregulation, so companies can consolidate and do what we need to, to be even better,” he said.

Earlier in the year Zaslav said WBD would be “opportunistic” about seeking M&A deals in the next two to three years. “I think some companies will be for sale,” he said at an investment conference in May. “I think there’s likely going to be some consolidation.