Warner Bros. Discovery(WBD) is officially splitting into two separate, publicly traded companies in a tax-free transaction by mid-2026, signaling a shift forDC Comics. This strategic move aims to allow each new company to maximize its potential and sharpen its focus. Adding to this significant news, David Zaslav, the current President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery (and soon to be President and CEO of the new Streaming & Studios entity), teased an exciting ten-year plan for DC’s upcoming projects, highlighting James Gunn’sSupermanandSupergirlas key initiatives.
…this could open the door to epic crossover events within DC Comics…
The two new entities Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) will be splitting into are Streaming & Studios and Global Networks. David Zaslav, WBD’s current CEO, will lead Streaming & Studios, which will encompass Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, DC Comics, HBO, HBO Max (including international sports), Warner Bros. Games, Tours, Retail and Experiences, and its studio production facilities.
Likewise, Gunnar Wiedenfels, WBD’s current CFO, will lead Global Networks.This segment will include premier entertainment, sports, and news television brands globally, such as CNN, TNT Sports (U.S.), Discovery, top free-to-air channels across Europe, and digital products like Discovery+ and Bleacher Report.
DC Comics Now Falls Under Streaming & Studios in Major Restructure
Zaslav Confirms 10-Year DC Plan Tied toSuperman,Supergirl& Comic-Movie Synergy
The confirmation that DC Comics will fall under Zaslav’s Streaming & Studios division is a significant takeaway,signaling a unified creative and strategic vision for the DC brand within the new structure.During an investment call, Zaslav shared his outlook for DC, stating,“We’re very excited about Superman, we’re almost wrapped with Supergirl, a great plan around DC, a ten-year plan.”While his remarks seem primarily movie-focused, they also point to the broader future of DC, especially given the company’s interconnected approach to its comics and upcomingSupermanandSupergirlfilms. Comic-centric initiatives, such as theSummer of Superman,promote James Gunn’s movies through themed artwork and nods within the comics.
As for what fans can expect, Zaslav offered an enticing teaser:“We’ll be going more and more to the best content that we have, you know, that people see and love all around the world, whether that’s Lord of the Rings or DC. And Mike [De Luca] and Pam [Lifford] are really looking at mining the big brands. We’re still going to do a lot of original, but mining those big brands that give us a real advantage in the marketplace.“It will be interesting to see which major IPs Zaslav explores next, asthis could open the door to epic crossover events within DC Comics, something the publisher is known for leveraging to its fullest potential.
James Gunn Is Shaping DC’s Future Across Movies, TV & Comics
WithSuperman,Supergirl, andPeacemaker, Gunn’s Vision Leads DC’s 10-Year Plan
Zaslav’s mention of the upcomingSupermanandSupergirlas the forefront of the ten-year plan confirms that Streaming & Studios leadership is confident in the direction James Gunn is taking, particularly with the films. However, Gunn’s influence goes beyond movies. He is also involved in television with HBO’sPeacemaker, which returns for its second season this August, and in comics, having created the story for the mini-seriesPeacemaker Presents: The Vigilante / Eagly Double Feature#1. The bottom line is thatDC Comics, and the DC brand overall, appear to be in capable hands with a bright and ambitious future ahead.
