7 Dec, 2015 – A week after the launch of Discovery’s TV Everywhere app, CEO David Zaslav took the stage on Monday at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference in New York to tout the move into authenticated streaming and offer a word of caution about licensing content to standalone over-the-top platforms.
“We’re unique in that we own all of our content,” said Zaslav. “The best model is that we own it, and we own the relationship with the cable operator or direct-to-consumers. That doesn’t stop us from doing deals with other players, but you should expect that we’ll be rational.”
He added that he does not view all SVOD models as rational deals for Discovery’s business. “They only exist because of our content,” said Zaslav, noting that without licensed content many over-the-top platforms “are dumb pipes.” He continued: “We as an industry are supporting economic models that don’t make sense.”
Read more at the Hollywood Reporter