By Dawn Chmielewski, Aditya Soni and Jaspreet Singh LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Warner Bros Discovery said it would split into two publicly traded companies, separating its studios and streaming business from its fading cable television networks as the parent of HBO and CNN looks to compete better in the streaming era.

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. is splitting itself in half, unshackling its fast-growing streaming business from the struggling legacy media channels and setting up two independent companies that could pursue deals on their own.

The entertainment company is contending with a hefty debt load and a sagging stock price.