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MEDIA

David Zaslav

The Panic in Zazworld

Discovery and AT&T’s year-long dance will finally be consummated on April 11, replete with a trip to the stock exchange. What happens next is anyone’s guess as tight-lipped C.E.O. David Zaslav has kept his cards close to all those vests of his.
Dylan Byers • March 25, 2022
Dylan Byers • March 23, 2022
Politico’s New Administration Is Taking Office
Dafna Linzer
Fifteen years after it broke onto the scene in an unmistakably disruptive manner, re-defining the stodgy news business with its metabolic frisky style and scoop-bazooka, Politico seems intent on entering its own Washington sinecure of sorts—as the pendulum swings, in the words of one founder, towards institutionalism in D.C. Will its new newsroom leader commensurately facilitate the anti-disruption disruption?
Dylan Byers • March 19, 2022
The Times’ Latest Woke Kerfuffle
A.G. Sulzberger
How an unsigned editorial upended Twitter, presaged a new Times agenda, and revealed the media company's challenges in the post-Trump era.
Chris Cuomo
Eriq Gardner • March 17, 2022
Inside Chris Cuomo’s $125 Million Case Against CNN
Interestingly, some of the precedent for the filing hangs on a previous suit—regarding Michael Jackson, no less—that is already being contested by some of the very same players. Plus, Fox News’ fresh legal headache.
Keith Olbermann
Dylan Byers • March 17, 2022
The Real Jeff Shell-Keith Olbermann Saga
Behind the scenes, Olbermann has been privately jonesing to rejoin MSNBC for years, reaching out directly to Jeff Shell repeatedly. The whole situation simply manifests how bizarre things have gotten at the soon-to-be former House of Maddow.
Les Moonves
Eriq Gardner • March 15, 2022
CBS Is Finally Settling Its Les Moonves Litigation
The former television executive, despite losing his $120 million severance, is still costing CBS money following his #MeToo defenestration.
Jeffrey Goldberg
Eriq Gardner • March 14, 2022
The Atlantic’s Most Peculiar Lawsuit
Ruth Shalit Barrett’s lawsuit against the august magazine’s parent company, and its own recently-filed motion to dismiss, address many complex issues about her past as a plagiarist. Naturally, perhaps, it also comes down to narrative framing.
David Zaslav
Dylan Byers • March 11, 2022
Zaz’s New Order & BriWi’s Next Move?
The new king of cable media is preparing to restructure his org chart upon the consummation of the Warner Bros.-Discovery merger. Meanwhile, at Chris Licht’s CNN, a new game of thrones begins.
msnbc
Dylan Byers • March 10, 2022
Is MSNBC on Autopilot?
CNN’s remarkable coverage of Ukraine has evidenced its sizable advantage over its nearest rival, MSNBC, begging the two-fold question: who is in charge over there and what are they doing, exactly?
Taylor Lorenz
Brian Morrissey • March 9, 2022
Taylor Lorenz and the Race to the Middle
A recent Twitter feud between high-profile journalists evidenced a new shift in digital media. Sure, personal brands matter, and so do institutions, but the future of the industry will be all about repopulating the space between them.
WBD C.E.O. David Zaslav, at the end of the 9 a.m. call, described CNN as an “unmoored boat.” But, he said, “this is our company, our boat. We all have an oar.”
Dylan Byers • March 4, 2022
Zaz Comes to CNN
The atrocities in Ukraine have washed away much of CNN’s angst and sanctimony about the Zucker defenestration. Meanwhile, Zaz has encouraged a victory lap from “The Trio,” who have led the network in the interim. And as the European quagmire expands, many are still wondering what Chris Cuomo is fighting for.
Ben Smith
Dylan Byers • March 2, 2022
Ben & Justin’s First Big Hire
The Smiths’ forthcoming global media venture is beginning to coalesce as Ben and Justin close in on their first tranche of funding and poach their first high-profile executive. Plus, some new investor dish.
Chris Licht
Dylan Byers • March 2, 2022
The Licht Regime Begins at CNN
Chris Licht may share Jeff Zucker’s super-producer past, but his reign over CNN is likely to be quite a bit different—though not in the ways you might assume.
newsstand
Brian Morrissey • March 2, 2022
How Digital Media Killed the Radio Star
A profound remaking of the digital publishing landscape is underway as individual creators replace institutions.
Makan Delrahim
Eriq Gardner • February 27, 2022
Mr. Antitrust Predicts the Future of Streaming
Makan Delrahim, who led the D.O.J.’s antitrust division during the Trump administration, is back in the private sector, teaching at Penn and advising private equity firms. Here, in a long and honest conversation, he helps chart the future of media—at least from the legal perspective.
Chris Licht with Jeff Zucker
Dylan Byers • February 26, 2022
Jeff Zucker’s Successor Is…Chris Licht
According to people who have spoken with Zaslav, the former wunderkind producer Jeff Zucker will be succeeded by another former wunderkind, Chris Licht. Welcome to the new CNN.
Meredith Kopit Levien
Dylan Byers • February 25, 2022
Succession Watch: NYT and CNN Edition
A coronation appears cemented at The Times. Meanwhile, a new detail emerges in the race to hire Jeff Zucker’s replacement.
Jen Psaki
Dylan Byers • February 23, 2022
Is Jen Psaki the Next Rachel Maddow?
Biden’s spokesperson, who plans to leave the White House this year, is being feverishly courted by CNN and MSNBC, among others. And Psaki has ambitions to become a marquee star. Is she the next Maddow or Anderson?