What to Expect Amid Hairstyle Rumors, HBO Max Rebranded

Discover Warner Bros.WBD) to report its first quarter earnings Since the $43 billion merger As the company battles new reports about the future of streaming service HBO Max.

Here’s what Wall Street expects, according to Bloomberg Consensus estimates:

• he won: $11.91 billion expected

• characteristic. Earnings per share (EPS): $0.08 expected

• Total DTC subscribers: 1.65 million net additions expected

Analysts expect a chaotic quarter for the broadcast conglomerate as it works to merge the two companies, while also cutting costs to improve profitability.

Guidance calls for $300 million in profit in 2022, while macroeconomic headwinds could hurt advertising revenue — a long-term risk for media companies across the board.

However, consensus estimates are for US advertising to rise 2.4% in the second quarter, aided by Turner Networks.

On the earnings call, investors will want more clarity on the platform’s direct-to-consumer strategy, as well as the fate of HBO Max which, according to several reports, hangs in the balance.

The company plans to lay off 70% of its development work, According to The Wrapwhich was cited by “many insiders”.

Sources told the outlet that CEO David Zaslav, known for his leadership style in cutting costs, will announce a major restructuring of both HBO Max and Discovery+ either during earnings results or shortly thereafter.

The Wrap explained that the move “will result in a significant layoff of HBO Max, and a significant number of executives and employees to reduce redundancies with HBO and its combined streaming service with Discovery+.”

The source claims that there will also be a tighter line between written and unwritten content.

Warner Bros. Discovery previously said it expects to cut back 3 billion dollars in costs Over the next two years, distribute these savings over streaming content.

At the time, questions arose about where the money might come from – layoffs could be the start of this endeavor, although critics were quick to point to CEO David Zaslav’s exorbitant salary.

The story continues

According to regulatory filings, Zaslav’s 2021 compensation package – which runs through the end of 2027 – jumped to $246 million, which is significantly higher compared to 2020 ($37.7 million) and 2019 ($45.8 million).

Earlier on Wednesday, the studio confirmed that two films scheduled to be shown on HBO Max, “Batgirl” starring “In the Heights” star Leslie Grace, as well as “Scoop: Holiday Hunt,” have been pulled.

Warner Bros. did not respond. Immediately asked Yahoo Finance for comment on the layoff reports or its decision to pull these two films, but it did provide a statement to CNN that it owns.

“The decision not to release ‘Batgirl’ reflects the strategic shift of our leadership as it relates to the universe of DC and HBO Max,” a Warner Bros. spokesperson told the network.

“Leslie Grace is an incredibly talented actress and this decision is not a reflection of her performance,” the statement continued. “We are very grateful to the makers of the ‘Batgirl’ and ‘Scoob! Holiday Haunt’ films and their cast and hope to collaborate with everyone again in the near future.”

The DC Comics movie was almost completed and cost studio A I mentioned $70 million to $90 million to produce.

Ahead of Thursday’s earnings results, the stock was trading to the upside, up 4% at midday.

Alexandra is the Senior Entertainment and Food Correspondent at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter aliecanal8193 And email it to [email protected]

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