Zaslav Faces Shocked Warner Bros. Discovery Staff After Paramount Deal
Feb 28th 2026
WBD leaders tried to sell employees on a new Paramount takeover in a short town hall that staffers called cringeworthy and left many worried about layoffs and the future of CNN.
- WBD held a roughly 20 minute Zoom town hall Friday at 8 AM PT with CEO David Zaslav, CRO Bruce Campbell and CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels.
- Leadership said Paramount raised its offer from about $19 to $31 per share and that Netflix declined to increase its bid.
- Employees described the meeting as tense and said many felt shocked, disappointed and fearful about potential job cuts.
- Staffers said Zaslav thanked employees and told them buyers want WBD because of the workforce, while some heard him credit recent layoffs for improving the companys finances.
- Attendees reported that no live employee questions were taken during the town hall despite the usual option to submit questions.
- Several staffers expressed concern about the future of CNN and about precedents from recent changes at Paramount Global.