TMI Show Ep 156: “Warner Splits Its Bros.”

LIVE 10 AM Eastern time, Streaming Anytime:

On “The TMI Show with Ted Rall and Manila Chan,” we investigate the seismic breakup of Warner Bros. Discovery into two publicly-traded companies. Next year the Studios & Streaming unit—HBO, HBO Max, Warner Bros. Television, and DC Studios—will be led by CEO David Zaslav, while CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels takes the helm of Global Networks, including CNN, TNT Sports, and Discovery. This follows last year’s internal restructuring, with execs saying the split lets streaming chase trends (now 44.3% of U.S. TV usage) while networks manage legacy assets. But the move’s got baggage: Global Networks inherits most of the company’s $34B debt from the 2022 WarnerMedia-Discovery merger, sparking debate over financial stability and market strategy. Will this gamble pay off, or is it a desperate pivot in a cutthroat industry? Critics question if Zaslav’s streaming bet can outpace rivals, while others see debt-laden Global Networks as a ticking time bomb.

Plus:

Pentagon deploys 700 Marines & 2,000 more National Guardsmen to L.A. amid immigration protest clashes, escalating tensions with California’s Gov. Newsom.

Germany plans to build one million war bunker spaces, citing fears of European conflict, with a €500B infrastructure fund to be squandered.

Iran cracks down on dog walking, enforcing a 2019 ban as a “crime,” stirring cultural and religious backlash.