Introducing WBD Diversity Digest
The WBD Diversity Digest has launched and we’re all here for it!
The new quarterly newsletter is a collection of highlights from across the company showcasing the depth and breadth of our multicultural efforts, including special editions for cultural milestones. Created by the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Corporate Communications and Government Affairs teams, the WBD Diversity Digest is distributed to key external stakeholders to raise awareness of on- and off-screen multicultural programming, talent, initiatives and events across the company portfolio.
But this isn’t just for external partners – we’re also sharing the same quarterly highlights with you right here on ONE!
Read on for more about the groundbreaking Latino talent we proudly featured in our inaugural edition for Hispanic Heritage Month. And stay tuned for future editions as we celebrate our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion across WBD.
Superhero Celebrations
Directed by Puerto Rican filmmaker Ángel Manuel Soto, we continued to promote and celebrate our latest superhero film, "Blue Beetle," throughout Hispanic Heritage Month. While "Blue Beetle" is a superhero for all, through the talented cast led by rising star Xolo Maridueña, the film is a celebration of Latinidad that embraces the voice and energy of a Latino hero, authentically reflecting the cultural ethos on screen. WB Pictures partnered with AMC to launch $5 "Fan Faves" showtimes with "Blue Beetle" in more than 500 U.S. locations in the month of September to bring the film to more people in more places across the U.S. And now, you can purchase "Blue Beetle" and watch from the comfort of your home.
We also commend and thank the 27 national Latino civil rights and advocacy groups, including icon Dolores Huerta, who came together ahead of the release of "Blue Beetle" to sign an open letter to amplify and highlight the work of Latino artists and creatives, which included endorsement and support around "Blue Beetle." Muchas gracias!
Representation on Screen and Around the World
To celebrate the month, Max amplified the Nuestras Voces collection to spotlight Latino talent and programming. Featured content included the HBO original documentary "The Golden Boy: Oscar De La Hoya," the HBO original "Shakira in Concert: El Dorado World Tour," the HBO original films "Habla Loud" and "Romeo Santos: King of Bachata," the Max original series "Selena + Chef" and "Vgly," TLC's "The Family Chantel" and CNN's "Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico." Max also highlighted the winners of their Latino Short Film Competition on the platform and participated in the New York Latino Film Festival.
Inclusive Content Grand Slam
During Hispanic Heritage Month, WBD Sports announced and debuted a brand new, first-ever alternate viewing experience, Postseason ALTcast: Peloteros with its National League Championship Series (NLCS) coverage. ALTcast: Peloteros featured cultural conversations centered on the NLCS and the game of baseball as told through the experiences of leading Latinos from the grandes ligas – the big leagues. Hosted by veteran sportscaster Alanna Rizzo alongside a diverse panel, it featured contributions throughout the series from some of the best current and former Latino Major League Baseball peloteros — or ballplayers in Spanish, including Pedro Martínez, Albert Pujols, Yonder Alonso, Néstor Cortés, Rubén Amaro Jr., Pudge Rodríguez, and more.
Postseason ALTcast: Peloteros aired on truTV and Max with the B/R Sports Add-On during each game of the NLCS, alongside the traditional game telecast airing on TBS and Max. Peloteros was also highlighted on B/R Walk-Off, WBD Sports' baseball digital platform under the Bleacher Report brand. During Hispanic Heritage Month, B/R Walk-Off also ran special content remembering Latino baseball legend Roberto Clemente and his positive influence on baseball and communities in Latin America. See it here and here.
Serving up Content on the Networks
WBD's US Networks Group celebrated Latino talent and content of the past, present, and future through such networks as HGTV, Food Network, TBS, TNT, and TCM during Hispanic Heritage Month. Highlights included:
Marathons of shows like "Rico to the Rescue," featuring real estate and renovation expert, Rico León.
New series "Hot Dish with Franco" debuted featuring Chef Franco Noriega; elite Latino chefs like Kelvin Fernandez challenged chef titans in "Bobby's Triple Threat;" and three episodes of "Family Style" featuring Chef Adriana Urbina premiered across digital.
Hispanic Heritage Month movie marathon featuring films like "Selena" and the television premiere of WB Pictures' "In the Heights."
Movie marathon celebrating Latino talent in films such as "Ant-Man," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," and "Thor: Ragnarok."
Stories from the Border marathon featuring films such as "El Norte" (1983), "Bordertown" (1935), and "Border Treasure" (1950). The marathon featured films spanning five decades that shone a spotlight on the plight of immigrants at the US-Mexican border and included guest host Luis Reyes, renowned scholar, author, and lecturer who specializes in the history of Latinos in the Hollywood film industry.
Welcoming the Story of Civil Rights Leaders Marc Morial and Janet Murguía to WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery was proud to host an advance screening in Washington, DC of "Gumbo Coalition," a documentary produced and directed by two-time Academy Award® winner Barbara Kopple that follows the work of civil rights leaders Marc Morial and Janet Murguía. "Gumbo Coalition" is now streaming on Max.