Zaslav bullish on Trump allowing media mergers

David Zaslav, the chief executive of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), is signaling optimism that President-elect Trump’s administration will create a good environment for potential media mergers.

“We have an upcoming new administration,” Zaslav said on a conference calls with investors this week. “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’s comments were first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Zaslav presides over WBD, one of the largest media conglomerates in the country that includes major brands like CNN, Turner Sports and Max.

Some Biden administration officials, led by Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, have signaled further consolidation of media companies could create a threat to competition in the sector and have a negative impact on consumers.

Trump has ridiculed mainstream media outlets in recent months and has suggested he could use the power of the federal government to crack down on news coverage that is critical of him.

Trump’s reelection comes at a time of great uncertainty for major media companies, as many including WBD take major Wall Street markdowns on their linear television assets and shift further into streaming and direct-to-consumer offerings.

Zaslav has previously signaled WBD is actively searching for companies to consolidate with and reportedly held talks with executives at Paramount before the Hollywood behemoth eventually sold to Skydance founder Larry Ellison earlier this year.