WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar announced Wednesday, March 9th, that WarnerMedia is “suspending all new business in Russia,” writes Variety.
“I want to share with each of you some of the decisions we have made regarding WarnerMedia’s business operations in Russia. WarnerMedia is suspending all new business in Russia. This includes stopping the broadcast of our channels, ending the licensing of all new content from Russian producers, and suspending our planned film and game releases,” CEO Kilar said in a memo to WarnerMedia employees.
Warner Media Warner Bros. previously suspended plans to release The Batman movie in Russia ahead of the release.
Kilar added that future business decisions will be made taking into account the context of the current situation in Ukraine.
Kilar’s announcement came hours after Discovery. Inc., which will soon complete its acquisition of WarnerMedia from AT&T, has suspended all operations in Russia. Some 15 Discovery-owned channels that operate through Media Alliance, a joint venture with Russia’s National Media Group, have stopped broadcasting since Wednesday, March 9.
On March 6, the American streaming service for movies and series Netflix suspended work in Russia due to the situation in Ukraine. This was reported by Variety magazine, citing a statement from a company representative. A few days earlier, Netflix suspended work on Russian projects.
In addition, Sony Pictures has announced that it will cancel the release of its films in Russia, including the release of the new Marvel blockbuster Morbius. On the same day, the Walt Disney Company announced the suspension of the distribution of its films in Russian cinemas.
Against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing operation to protect the Donbass, a number of brands have decided to suspend work in the country.
This is how Western companies reacted to the operation to protect the civilian population of Donbass, which Russia launched on February 24. As Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov clarified at the time, the special operation has two goals – the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine. According to him, both of these aspects pose a threat to the Russian state and people. The Russian side also emphasized that it does not hatch plans for the occupation of Ukraine, and strikes are carried out only on the military infrastructure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
For more up-to-date videos and details about the situation in Donbass, watch the Izvestia TV channel.