Discovery CEO signs deal to stay on after WarnerMedia merger

Discovery CEO David Zaslav will be named head of the new company being formed by the media giant’s recently announced merger with WarnerMedia, Axios reported Tuesday.

The details of Zaslav’s new position as well as the name of the new company will be announced next week, the news outlet added, noting that he is expected to bring along his executive team from Discovery to help lead the new venture.

Zaslav’s most recent contract runs through 2023, and he has led the company since 2007.

He oversaw Discovery through its $14.6 billion acquisition of Scripps in 2017, which brought HGTV, Food Network, the Travel Channel and other networks into a company that already owned Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC and other media brands.

Prior to Discovery, Zaslav worked at NBCUniversal, where he helped develop and launch CNBC and create MSNBC.

Zaslav is reportedly a good friend of CNN President Jeff Zucker, and the relationship may entice Zucker to stay in the role.

In early February, Zucker told CNN employees he would leave his job at the end of 2021.