David Zaslav says Trump will fuel big media mergers

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav thinks putting Donald Trump back in the White House could offer a friendlier environment for major media mergers. “We have an upcoming new administration,” Zaslav said during an earnings call on Thursday. “It’s too early to tell, but it may offer a pace of change and an opportunity for consolidation that may be quite different.”

Zaslav made the statement in response to a question about streaming partnerships, saying changes under the Trump administration could have “a real positive and accelerated impact” on the entertainment industry. With more competition than ever in streaming, it’s getting harder for services to get a viewer’s undivided attention.

“This is an industry that really needs to consolidate,” Zaslav said. “Consumers put on a TV set and they see 16 apps, and each of those are doing different pricing and you’re sitting there with your phone and Googling where a show is... it’s just not a good consumer experience.”

Zaslav, of course, knows a thing or two about mergers. He oversaw Discovery’s merger with WarnerMedia, axing movies like Batgirl in the process. Recent reports suggest that Warner Bros. Discovery was considering spinning off its streaming business. The company also discussed a possible merger with Paramount for months, which instead agreed to a deal with Skydance following a very drawn-out process. Even Comcast has mentioned partnering with another streamer to bolster Peacock.

Mega-mergers like these could face fewer obstacles under the Trump administration. The president-elect is expected to shake up leadership in regulatory agencies like the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice, as well as even loosen certain antitrust guidelines.