Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Defends Leadership Amid Hollywood Strikes and Cost-Cutting Measures

David Zaslav attributes unpopular decisions to the need for 'hard decisions' during challenging times, while reaffirming CNN's focus on journalism over advocacy.

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has defended his leadership during the recent Hollywood strikes and the company's cost-cutting measures, including layoffs and shelving content.
Zaslav stated that the strikes were 'bad for all of us' and his focus was on settling the dispute, despite criticism over his and other executives' high compensation.
He also addressed the company's recent unpopular decisions, such as the shelving of 'Batgirl' and 'Coyote vs Acme', attributing these to the need for 'hard decisions' during a 'very hard time'.
Zaslav reaffirmed that CNN, under new leader Mark Thompson, would focus on being a journalistic organization rather than an advocacy network.
He also spoke about the challenges of navigating the entertainment industry's 'generational disruption', requiring 'more aggressive, tougher, faster, decisions.'

The Hollywood Reporter