GERHARD ZEILER TO RECEIVE 2026 INTERNATIONAL EMMY® DIRECTORATE AWARD
Illustrious Austrian Media Executive and Current President of International for Warner Bros. Discovery Recognized for his Distinguished Career
New York, August 13, 2026 — Gerhard Zeiler, illustrious Austrian media executive and current President of International for Warner Bros. Discovery, will receive the 2026 International Emmy® Directorate Award. Zeiler will accept the Emmy® at the 54th International Emmy® Awards Gala on Monday, November 23, 2026, in New York City.
“Gerhard Zeiler has built and led some of the world’s most influential media businesses, helping shape the international television industry through periods of profound change. Throughout his career, his commercial acumen has been grounded in a deep appreciation for the creative talent and storytelling that define our business,” said Bruce L. Paisner, President & CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. “The Academy looks forward to honoring him with the 2026 International Emmy® Directorate Award.”
“I am deeply honored to be recognized by the International Academy with the International Emmy® Directorate Award. My passion for media began before I can even remember, and from a young age I understood the power of television to bring people together and open a window into different cultures and ideas. The role of media in connecting the world requires a deep understanding of distinct cultures – global trends and local nuances alike – and I feel very fortunate to have had a career filled with learnings and perspectives across the world on what makes compelling television. This is an industry like no other, driven by passion, ambition, and the desire to create stories that audiences can connect with. I receive this recognition with great appreciation for the colleagues, partners and creative talent who have inspired that journey,” said Gerhard Zeiler, President of International, Warner Bros. Discovery.
Most recently, as President of International for Warner Bros. Discovery, Zeiler supported strategic partnerships that paved the way for HBO Max’s expansion from a single market to more than 130 countries in just over three years. Since his appointment, he has led the company’s international business through a period of significant transformation. Following the 2022 merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, he oversaw the integration of two vast media businesses, bringing together WarnerMedia’s international operations with Discovery’s substantial global footprint. In doing so, he aligned regional leadership, content distribution, and streaming strategy across global markets.
Following senior leadership roles at Austria’s public broadcaster, ORF, Zeiler joined German commercial broadcaster, RTL, where he transformed the company from a collection of national channels into a more integrated international media company with a strong base of global content production. Under his leadership as CEO, RTL underwent a period of significant international, financial, and creative growth, establishing it as Europe’s leading entertainment network and a global formats powerhouse, notably by successfully exporting to the U.S. market “Idols,” “Got Talent,” and “The X Factor.” Zeiler went from leading Television, to leading the Group, to serving on the Bertelsmann Board for eight years before joining Turner Broadcasting System.
In 2012, at Turner (under Time Warner Inc.), Zeiler expanded the company’s international operations, fortifying its regional sports and pay-TV businesses. He then reshaped WarnerMedia’s commercial model by unifying affiliate and advertising sales. In 2020, he was appointed President of WarnerMedia International, positioning him to lead the company’s international business through its current chapters of transformation.
As previously announced the Academy will also present its International Emmy® Founders Award to Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer of Netflix.
About the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences recognizes excellence in television produced outside of the United States with the prestigious Emmy® Award. Currently celebrating programming across multiple categories including Arts Programming, Current Affairs, Comedy, Documentary, Drama Series, News, Non-Scripted Entertainment, Short-Form Series, Sports Documentary, Telenovela, and TV Movie/Mini-Series. The International Academy also recognizes excellence in Performances and Kids programming.
Beyond its awards activity, the International Academy is a membership-based organization comprised of leading media and entertainment figures from 70+ countries from all sectors of television. The Academy’s yearly schedule of events includes the prestigious International Emmy® Awards held in New York City, and a range of industry events including a Festival, Panels on substantive topics, Members-only events, and an Education Initiative.
For more information, go to iemmys.tv.
About Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of branded content across television, film, streaming and gaming. Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, HBO Max, discovery+, CNN, DC, TNT Sports, Eurosport, HBO, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.
Media Contacts
The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Yiota Pagoulatos, Director, Communications & Partnerships
The Lippin Group
Warner Bros. Discovery