Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav expressed concerns about the impact of ongoing strikes by Hollywood writers and actors on the studio’s film slate and content production. The company’s models predict that members of the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild might return to work in early September, but the situation remains uncertain due to the tense atmosphere on picket lines.
The strikes have disrupted production of fall TV series and films, affecting pay negotiations in the streaming era. Toymaker Hasbro also acknowledged the strike’s negative effects. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, representing major studios, requested a meeting with the writers’ guild to discuss the possibility of resuming talks.
Despite these challenges, Warner Bros Discovery’s direct-to-consumer unit reported positive core earnings, with the CEO optimistic about achieving $4 billion in total synergies sooner than expected. However, the studio’s revenue fell short in the second quarter due to underperforming box office results, with revenue at $2.58 billion compared to estimates of $3.21 billion.
