Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Closes as Skydance Takes Control; Ellison Vows to "Rebuild Trust"
The $111 billion combination of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery formally closed under a new Skydance Corp., with David Ellison addressing merger opponents,
Deadline · +13 outlets
David Ellison Says HBO Max and Paramount+ Will Eventually Combine After Bundling Phase
The Skydance chief says the streaming services will be bundled short term before being merged into a single platform as the tech stack is built out.
Deadline · +14 outlets
David Ellison Says He Has No Especially Close Relationship With Trump, Defends Merger-Period Meeting
Ellison pushed back on perceptions of political coziness, saying the White House meeting during the merger review was business as usual and no CNN commitments w
The Hollywood Reporter · +14 outlets
Skydance Executives Say $80 Billion Debt Is Manageable and Won't Cut Production Spending
David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz sought to calm industry fears that the merged company's debt load will force it to reduce content investment or take fewer creative
Deadline · +3 outlets
Paramount Pictures Co-Chairs Say Film Divisions Will Operate Independently After Merger
Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg told staff in a Day 1 memo that Paramount and Warner Bros. film units will retain their separate identities.
Deadline · +12 outlets
Josh Goldstine to Oversee Marketing and Distribution Across All Skydance Film Labels
The veteran Paramount marketing executive takes a combined role covering Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, and the company's other film labels.
Variety · +4 outlets
Skydance Sets Leadership Across Games, Experiences, Consumer Products and HR
Skydance president Andy Gordon named executives to head non-film and television divisions at the newly merged company.
Variety · +1 outlets
Actress Eva Marie Saint, Oscar Winner for On the Waterfront, Dies at 102
The Golden Age star, also known for North by Northwest, died at 102, NPR and the New York Times report.
NPR · +14 outlets
George Cheeks Tells CBS Staff That the Network "Remains a Cornerstone" in First Memo as Skydance TV Co-Chair
The newly named Skydance TV co-chair and chief content officer outlined his vision to staff hours after the merger closed.
Variety · +1 outlets
Steven Spielberg to Oversee Transformers Franchise, Eighth Film in the Works at Paramount
Paramount is developing another Transformers installment with Spielberg attached and Michael Bay returning, per reports.
Variety · +7 outlets
David Zaslav Sends Farewell Video on His Last Day Before Skydance's Warner Bros. Acquisition
The outgoing Warner Bros. Discovery CEO addressed employees as the Skydance deal officially closed.
The Hollywood Reporter · +1 outlets
Supreme Court Justice Denies Last-Minute Bid to Halt Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger
Justice Kagan rejected an eleventh-hour petition seeking to block the merger on the eve of its close.
Deadline · +7 outlets
Ynon Kreiz Says It's Too Early to Discuss a Barbie Sequel
The newly named Skydance co-CEO, formerly Mattel's CEO, declined to commit to a Barbie 2 at the merged company's press conference while leaving the door open.
Deadline · +13 outlets
Emmy Awards Leave Broadcast TV for Prime Video in 2027 Under Six-Year Deal
The Television Academy's ceremony moves to streaming, ending its long run on broadcast networks.
CNBC · +13 outlets
Avengers: Endgame Reclaims All-Time Top-Grossing Film Title From Avatar After Rerelease
A rerelease pushed the Marvel film back past Avatar at the global box office, per NPR and Forbes.
NPR · +14 outlets
Grammy-Nominated R&B Singer Freddie Jackson Dies at 70
The singer behind 1980s hits including "You Are My Lady" died at 70, according to NBC News and ABC News.
NBC News · +14 outlets
Televangelist Jim Bakker, Felled by Sex and Fraud Scandals, Dies at 86
The PTL Club founder, whose ministry collapsed in scandal, died at 86, the BBC and New York Times report.
BBC
Sicario 3 to Star Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin
The three leads are returning for the sequel, though Taylor Sheridan is no longer involved, according to reports.
The Hollywood Reporter