Warner Bros. Discovery: Zaslav Pay Package Changes
- Discovery (WBD) is altering CEO David Zaslav's compensation plan following shareholder concerns and a corporate restructuring.
- Gunnar Wiedenfels, WBD's chief financial officer, will become CEO of the new spinoff company.
- The WBD compensation committee stated the revised package aims to better incentivize Zaslav's contributions.
Warner Bros.Discovery is shaking up CEO David Zaslav‘s pay, driven by shareholder feedback and a major company restructuring.This means significant changes to the executive’s compensation package, shifting toward more equity-based incentives. Zaslav’s base salary will now be set at $3 million, with adjustments to his bonus structure as Warner Bros. discovery navigates the spinoff of its TV networks and Discovery+. The compensation committee aims to align Zaslav’s rewards with performance. The revisions address stockholder concerns regarding CEO compensation, and it’s a story News Directory 3 is following closely. Learn about the revised package details and how these pivotal changes will impact Zaslav’s future earnings. Discover what’s next …
Warner Bros. Discovery Revises David zaslav Pay Package
Updated June 16, 2025
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is altering CEO David Zaslav’s compensation plan following shareholder concerns and a corporate restructuring. The changes come as WBD prepares too spin off its TV networks and Discovery+ into a separate entity.
Zaslav will remain with Warner Bros. Discovery, overseeing studios, HBO, and Max. Gunnar Wiedenfels, WBD’s chief financial officer, will become CEO of the new spinoff company.
The WBD compensation committee stated the revised package aims to better incentivize Zaslav’s contributions. A larger portion of his compensation will now be in long-term equity incentives rather than cash.
Shareholder disapproval of Zaslav’s previous pay, which exceeded $50 million even as company stock declined, played a role in the decision. A WBD filing acknowledged the changes seek to address stockholder feedback regarding CEO compensation.
Zaslav’s new base salary will be $3 million. Post-split, his target annual cash bonus will decrease to $6 million, with payouts capped at 200% of the target.Equity awards are initially valued at $15.5 million, decreasing to $7.5 million in subsequent years. Performance metrics for bonuses are still being persistent.
What’s next
The details of the performance metrics that will determine Zaslav’s bonuses are expected to be released in the coming weeks.