Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD -0.18%) was formed when AT&T (T -1.67%) when AT&T spun off its WarnerMedia assets and merged them with Discovery, Inc. in 2022.
Warner Bros. was founded by Albert, Harry, Sam, and Jack Warner in 1923. It became synonymous with the film industry and the Golden Age of Hollywood. In 1979, Warner and American Express (AXP 0.2%) entered into a joint venture called Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment. This allowed Warner to expand into cable channels like MTV and Nickelodeon, which are both now part of entertainment giant Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA). Warner Bros. later merged with Time Inc. to become Time Warner.
The Discovery Channel launched in 1985. It expanded rapidly and eventually went public in 2008 as Discovery Communications.
In 2018, Discovery Communications and AT&T bought out Time Warner along with another mass media company called Scripps Networks Interactive. These acquisitions became Discovery Inc. and WarnerMedia.
In the summer of 2021, after ongoing reports that AT&T was planning to divest its interest in WarnerMedia and merge it with Discovery Inc. to form a new publicly traded entity, it was announced that the new company would become Warner Bros. Discovery.
After Discovery shareholders also approved the merger, Warner Bros. Discovery began trading on the Nasdaq exchange on April 11, 2022.
Today, Warner Bros. Discovery boasts an extensive range of media, television, and streaming assets, including HBO and streaming services Max, HBO, CNN, Food Network, DC Comics, and more.
This article will explain how to buy Warner Bros. Discovery stock and some factors to consider before you invest.
How to invest
How to buy Warner Bros. Discovery stock:
Because Warner Bros. Discovery stock is publicly traded, buying shares is easy, provided you have a brokerage account. Just follow these easy steps, and you'll be a shareholder in Warner Bros. Discovery:
- Open your brokerage account: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
Stock
Should I invest?
Should I invest in Warner Bros. Discovery?
Warner Bros. Discovery stock may not be right for all investors, but for those with a healthy appetite for risk and the volatility of the streaming and media space, there may be opportunity in this stock. The stock has been beaten down heavily over the last few years since it made its public debut following the AT&T spinoff.
This is a function of multiple factors, including declining viewership of traditional cable TV networks, significant competition in the streaming space, slow growth across multiple core segments, and changes in spending by advertisers in the challenging macro environment.
Warner Bros. Discovery delivered Q2 total revenue of $9.8 billion in 2025, up 1% compared to the prior year at the same time. Boosted mainly by its direct-to-consumer segment, which includes assets like HBO and streaming services Max and Discovery+, saw revenues grow by 9%.
The company also generates considerable operating cash flow. In Q2 of 2025, cash provided by operating activities totaled $986 million. Warner Bros. Discovery also generated $702 million of free flow cash in a single 3-month period.
For investors who gravitate toward media and streaming services stocks, Warner Bros. Discovery presents an opportunity to become part-owner of a mainstay business with an impressive portfolio of brands. The footprint of this business does lend potential over the long run, but investors shouldn't overlook the debt and profitability challenges the company is facing in the near term when determining their long-term investment thesis for the stock.
Profitability
Is Warner Bros. Discovery profitable?
Warner Bros. Discovery is not currently profitable under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). It generated a non-GAAP net loss of over $11 billion in the full year 2024. However, in that 12-month period, the company brought in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of roughly $9 billion.
Dividends
Does Warner Bros. Discovery pay a dividend?
Warner Bros. Discovery stock does not pay a dividend. The company generates significant revenue that outpaces many of its media rivals, along with generous cash flow. However, it isn't profitable.
It's unlikely that investors will see a dividend payout from Warner Bros. Discovery in the near future.
ETFs
ETFs with exposure to Warner Bros. Discovery
If you would like to have Warner Bros. Discovery stock in your investment portfolio but don't want to buy the individual stock only, you might decide that purchasing shares of an exchange-traded fund (ETF) is the best way to go. By investing in an ETF, you can gain exposure to Warner Bros. Discovery stock, along with a range of other publicly traded companies contained in the fund you choose.
Some ETFs that include Warner Bros. Discovery stock include:
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF)
Stock splits
Will Warner Bros. Discovery stock split?
Warner Bros. Discovery has not entered into a stock split since it became its current entity following the merger and spinoff from AT&T in 2022.
Related investing topics
The bottom line on Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery has work to do to clean up its debt load and maintain consistent profitability. However, it generates considerable revenue compared to its broader industry rivals, and its cash flow generation is impressive.
Its extensive media properties that span traditional cable television to streaming networks have enabled it to expand its portfolio of intellectual property, including some of the most popular films and TV shows of the last decade.
No stock should represent more than 10% of your portfolio, and it's important to hedge your exposure to any stock you buy. If you have a well-diversified portfolio, a healthy degree of resilience to volatility, and the patience to buy and hold this stock for many years, a position in Warner Bros. Discovery stock might present an undervalued opportunity.
FAQ
Investing in Warner Bros. Discovery FAQs:
How do I buy Warner Bros. Discovery stock?
You can buy shares of Warner Bros. Discovery stock through the brokerage of your choice, in either fractional or individual shares.
Is Warner Brothers Discovery a good stock to buy?
Warner Bros. Discovery stock may not be right for every investor, and the types of stocks you buy will depend on your investment capital and the preferred composition of your investment portfolio. The company has struggled with growth and profitability in recent years, but its direct-to-consumer segment has provided a much-needed boost, and cash generation is strong.
How to buy shares of Discovery?
You can buy shares of Warner Bros. Discovery, which was formed by WarnerMedia's spinoff by AT&T and merger with Discovery, Inc. in April 2022.
Is Warner Bros. on the stock market?
Yes, Warner Bros. Discovery is publicly traded and any investor with a brokerage account can purchase shares.
