Global Linear Networks — Content expense
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Global Linear Networks — Content expense increased by 4.1% to $1.59B in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 13.1%, from $1.83B to $1.59B. Over 2 years (FY 2023 to FY 2025), Global Linear Networks — Content expense shows relatively stable performance with a -4.4% CAGR. This increase may warrant attention — for this metric, lower values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
Rising content costs may be necessary to maintain ratings, but if revenue does not follow, it indicates margin compression.
Detailed definition
The costs associated with producing, acquiring, and amortizing content for the linear networks segment. This is typicall...
Peer comparison
Standard 'Programming Expense' or 'Content Amortization' across all major media networks.
wbd_segment_global_linear_networks_content_expenseHistorical Data
| Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $1.79B | $1.79B | $1.79B | $1.79B | $1.84B | $1.97B | $1.68B | $1.65B | $1.83B | $2.11B | $1.06B | $1.53B | $1.59B |
| QoQ Change | — | +0.0% | +0.0% | +0.0% | +3.2% | +6.6% | -14.6% | -1.8% | +11.2% | +14.9% | -49.9% | +45.0% | +4.1% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | +3.2% | +10.1% | -5.9% | -7.7% | -0.6% | +7.1% | -37.2% | -7.2% | -13.1% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.'s global linear networks — content expense?
- Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) reported global linear networks — content expense of $1.59B in Q1 2026.
- How has Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.'s global linear networks — content expense changed year-over-year?
- Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.'s global linear networks — content expense decreased by 13.1% year-over-year, from $1.83B to $1.59B.
- What is the long-term trend for Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.'s global linear networks — content expense?
- Over 2 years (2023 to 2025), Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.'s global linear networks — content expense has grown at a -4.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $7.14B to $6.52B.
- What does global linear networks — content expense mean?
- The cost of creating or buying television shows and movies for the linear networks.