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Skydance merger closes as Ellison pledges CNN independence amid White House access lawsuit
media4 days ago

Skydance merger closes as Ellison pledges CNN independence amid White House access lawsuit

The merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery officially closed on October 6, 2026, forming the new entity Skydance. David Ellison, the new CEO, pledged to maintain editorial independence for CNN and CBS News. He publicly supported CNN’s First Amendment lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding White House access. Mark Thompson remains as CNN’s chairman and editor-in-chief, while Bari Weiss continues to lead CBS News. The combined company aims to compete with tech giants through a unified streaming platform, though concerns about political influence persist due to Ellison’s ties to President Trump.

via CNN|
#cnn#david-ellison#mark-thompson
Thompson to Lead CNN as Paramount Skydance Merger Closes
media-and-business4 days ago

Thompson to Lead CNN as Paramount Skydance Merger Closes

Mark Thompson will retain his role as chairman and CEO of CNN after Paramount Skydance completes its acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery on Tuesday. Thompson confirmed in a memo that he will serve as an independent editor-in-chief, assuring staff that Paramount leadership supports editorial independence. The decision alleviates fears that CNN would be merged with CBS News or led by Bari Weiss, though significant cost-cutting and integration challenges remain for the combined entity.

via The Guardian|
#cnn#david-ellison#mark-thompson
Maher Claims Trump Disdains Sycophants, Defies Ratings Attacks
politics5 days ago

Maher Claims Trump Disdains Sycophants, Defies Ratings Attacks

Bill Maher argued on CNN that President Donald Trump secretly despises sycophants, despite the leader's public demand for loyalty. Maher stated that Trump’s opinions are malleable and that he needs critics like himself to engage in dialogue. This stance follows recent clashes where Trump criticized Maher’s show ratings, though Maher maintains he would still accept a dinner invitation with the president.

via HuffPost|
#bill-maher#cnn#donald-trump
Bill Maher Tells Paramount Skydance to Ignore Trump’s Ratings Attacks
entertainment5 days ago

Bill Maher Tells Paramount Skydance to Ignore Trump’s Ratings Attacks

Bill Maher used his October 2, 2026, Real Time monologue to address the newly completed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, which created the entity Skydance. He joked that he is now 'owned' by Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison and requested that his new corporate owners disregard recent criticisms from President Donald Trump regarding his show's viewership. Trump had previously posted on Truth Social that Maher's ratings were too low for the show to continue, though he added that he actually liked Maher. Maher dismissed the insults, stating they do not bother him, and joked that Trump should not mention his attendance at Cornell University, referencing recent headlines about a gang rape allegation at a Cornell frat house.

via HuffPost|
#bill-maher#david-ellison#donald-trump
Digger's $8M Debut Signals $150M Loss for Warner Bros. Amid Paramount Merger
box-office6 days ago

Digger's $8M Debut Signals $150M Loss for Warner Bros. Amid Paramount Merger

Tom Cruise's satirical drama 'Digger' opened to a disastrous $8 million in North America, signaling a potential $150 million loss for Warner Bros. The film, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, failed to meet even the lowest projections despite Cruise's promotional efforts. This commercial failure coincides with the departure of Warner Bros. film chiefs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy, who were ousted by David Ellison just before the Paramount Skydance merger closes. While critics remain divided on the film's artistic merit, its financial collapse marks a historic low for Cruise and underscores the financial risks of high-budget auteur-driven projects under new studio leadership.

via IndieWire|
#box-office#climate-satire#paramount-skydance
Paramount Skydance Issues $52bn Debt to Fund Warner Bros Deal Amid Rising Yields
business7 days ago

Paramount Skydance Issues $52bn Debt to Fund Warner Bros Deal Amid Rising Yields

Paramount Skydance has issued $52 billion in debt to finance its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery. The company secured an investment-grade rating, but the lowest tier available, with yields higher than comparable bonds. Critics warn the high leverage and declining legacy TV revenue pose significant risks in a market with rising Treasury yields.

via Yahoo Finance|
#business#corporate-debt#david-ellison
Cruise's 'Digger' Opens Weak as Warner Bros. Leadership Exits Amid Paramount Merger
film8 days ago

Cruise's 'Digger' Opens Weak as Warner Bros. Leadership Exits Amid Paramount Merger

Tom Cruise's satirical drama 'Digger' opened to a weak $1.2 million in Thursday previews, with weekend projections ranging from $12 million to $19 million. This underperformance coincides with the departure of Warner Bros. film chiefs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy, just days before Paramount Skydance's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is set to close on October 6. While critics remain sharply divided on the film's artistic merit, its commercial struggle highlights Warner Bros.' difficult 2026, which has generated only $437.7 million in domestic revenue compared to $1.8 billion last year. The film's poor start adds pressure to the combined studio, which faces over $80 billion in debt and must deliver hits to offset financial risks, though future titles like 'Dune: Part Three' are expected to improve revenue next year.

via The Hollywood Reporter|
#box-office#digger#film
De Luca and Abdy Depart Warner Bros. as Paramount Merger Nears
business8 days ago

De Luca and Abdy Depart Warner Bros. as Paramount Merger Nears

Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy are exiting their roles as heads of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group ahead of the $111 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, which is set to close on October 6. The combined studio, now branded as Skydance, will be led by Paramount film executives Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein. While De Luca and Abdy’s tenure included record-breaking Oscar wins and major box office hits, their departure follows a difficult 2026 marked by significant financial misfires. The leadership change reflects David Ellison’s preference for his long-time allies and a strategic shift toward cost consolidation.

via The Hollywood Reporter|
#business#david-ellison#michael-de-luca
Cruise’s 'Digger' Opens Weak as Warner Bros. Braces for Paramount Merger
entertainment8 days ago

Cruise’s 'Digger' Opens Weak as Warner Bros. Braces for Paramount Merger

Tom Cruise’s new satire 'Digger' is projected to open with $15–19 million, a significant miss against its $125 million budget. This weak debut exacerbates Warner Bros.’ poor 2026 performance, which has generated only $437.7 million in domestic revenue compared to $1.8 billion last year. The film’s underperformance arrives just before the $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance closes on October 6. While critics are sharply divided, with some praising the film’s ambition and others calling it pretentious, the commercial failure highlights the studio’s struggle to connect with audiences. Warner Bros. faces pressure to deliver hits to manage the combined company’s $80 billion debt, though future titles like 'Dune: Part Three' and a 'Minecraft' sequel are expected to improve revenue next year.

via Los Angeles Times|
#alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu#box-office#entertainment
Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Set to Close Oct 6 Amid Ruffalo's 'Stifle Creativity' Protests
media-and-entertainment9 days ago

Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Set to Close Oct 6 Amid Ruffalo's 'Stifle Creativity' Protests

The merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery is scheduled to close on October 6, 2026, despite intense opposition from actor Mark Ruffalo and a coalition of state attorneys general. Ruffalo criticized the deal as a threat to creativity and free speech, while corporate filings confirmed the anticipated closing date and share conversion terms.

via variety.com|
#david-ellison#mark-ruffalo#media-and-entertainment
Kreiz to Earn $35M Annually as Paramount-WBD Merger Closes
business9 days ago

Kreiz to Earn $35M Annually as Paramount-WBD Merger Closes

Ynon Kreiz, the former Mattel CEO, has been appointed co-CEO of the merged Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery entity. An SEC filing reveals his five-year contract includes a $31.5 million signing bonus and annual compensation exceeding $35 million. The deal, which closes on October 6, 2026, positions Kreiz to oversee daily operations while David Ellison retains the CEO role for strategic direction. Kreiz’s new pay package significantly exceeds his previous earnings at Mattel, where he left after eight years to join the media giant.

via Deadline|
#business#david-ellison#executive-compensation
Paramount Negotiates to Retain CNN Chief Mark Thompson Amid Merger Uncertainty
media9 days ago

Paramount Negotiates to Retain CNN Chief Mark Thompson Amid Merger Uncertainty

Paramount Skydance is in early-stage discussions to retain CNN CEO Mark Thompson following the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. While Thompson has expressed enthusiasm for staying, his contract expires in 2027, and he seeks guarantees of editorial independence. Paramount CEO David Ellison is not planning to assign a managerial role at CNN to CBS News head Bari Weiss, who previously led controversial changes at CBS News. The move aims to stabilize CNN’s leadership while addressing staff concerns about editorial integrity and the future of the network’s digital strategy.

via Variety|
#bari-weiss#cnn#mark-thompson