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Amid news of a potential sale and a corporate split on the horizon, Warner Bros. Discovery is announcing the new structure for its 2026 upfront event. WBD’s corporate split is planned for mid-2026, with Warner Bros. comprising the streaming and studios divisions and Discovery Global having the global networks. So with that new corporate structure in mind, Discovery Global will host its inaugural upfront event at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. The morning event will showcase “Discovery Global’s vision,” according to the company, and highlight key leadership while presenting the company as a one-stop shop for advertising. Despite the new corporate structure, Discovery Global will also continue to present Warner Bros. ad inventory “in the 2026/27 upfront and beyond,” according to the company. The relationship between Discovery Global and Warner Bros. will work similarly to that of Comcast and its cable spinoff, Versant, with Comcast continuing to sell Versant ad inventory. Although there are two separate companies, they will represent a single portfolio. “At Discovery Global, we will seek to inspire and empower audiences through bold storytelling and engaging stories,” said Gunnar Wiedenfels, CFO, Warner Bros. Discovery and announced CEO, Discovery Global. “We are committed to deepening connections between people and the world around them—while delivering innovative, data-driven solutions that help brands engage meaningfully with our passionate global audience. By uniting creativity with intelligence, we aim to build lasting partnerships and deliver measurable results.” The overall presentation will highlight brands from both Discovery Global and Warner Bros. across entertainment, news, and sports. Brands showcased include Adult Swim, Bleacher Report, CNN, Discovery, Food Network, HBO, HGTV, Investigation Discovery (ID), Magnolia, OWN, TBS, TLC, and TNT Sports, as well as HBO Max, Discovery+, Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, and DC Studios. In separate statements, Ryan Gould, president of U.S. ad sales, go to market, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Bobby Voltaggio, president of U.S. ad sales, platform monetization, Warner Bros. Discovery, noted the changing corporate relationship but reiterated the strength of the cohesive offering. “Through cutting-edge innovation in ad tech, data, and product development, we’re not just shaping the future—we’re inviting our partners to build it with us,” Voltaggio said. The upfront news comes a week after WBD announced it was fielding interest from “multiple parties” for a potential sale; however, in the meantime, the company is continuing to move forward with its previously planned split.
