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Paramount Skydance

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WBD Upfront Echoes a Changing Era as Paramount-Skydance Tie-Up Looms
business12 days ago

WBD Upfront Echoes a Changing Era as Paramount-Skydance Tie-Up Looms

Warner Bros. Discovery’s upfront lunch carried a valedictory air as Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion bid to acquire WBD looms, with a Sept. 30 close target pending regulatory approvals. Executives touted the company’s advertising products while the deal’s implications—turning Turner, HBO, and Warner Bros over to a new parent—hung over the room. Insiders pointed to two factors likely to help garner approval: Larry Ellison’s influence and Makan Delrahim, DOJ antitrust veteran now Paramount’s chief legal officer. CEO David Zaslav could collect up to $886 million on closing, despite a shareholder vote against part of his pay, underscoring the ongoing volatility of media M&A.

via Deadline|
#business#media-industry#mergers-and-acquisitions
WBD Upfront Doubles Down on IP, Acknowledging Ellison’s Shadow
business13 days ago

WBD Upfront Doubles Down on IP, Acknowledging Ellison’s Shadow

Warner Bros. Discovery’s annual upfront spotlighted a strong IP slate—Minecraft Movie 2, a Harry Potter TV series, The White Lotus season 4, and cross‑platform ad offerings across HBO Max, Discovery+, and CNN—while openly acknowledging industry upheaval and the looming Paramount Skydance deal, playfully nodding to “Ellison in the room” as a symbol of change ahead. The showcase featured cameos from Shaquille O’Neal, Leslie Jones, and Terry Crews, and underscored a push to engage the TikTok generation, but left audiences after about an hour while executives reaffirmed that the core content portfolio remains the company’s centerpiece.

via Variety|
#business#ellison#merger
Watchdogs Demand Paramount Records Over Ellison Promises Linked to CNN in Warner Merger
business18 days ago

Watchdogs Demand Paramount Records Over Ellison Promises Linked to CNN in Warner Merger

Two press-freedom groups that own shares in Paramount Skydance are demanding access to the company’s books amid allegations that David and Larry Ellison promised favors to the White House to win approval for Paramount’s $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, including alleged plans to overhaul CNN. The groups warn such conduct could breach fiduciary duties and invite civil or criminal penalties, as regulators weigh the deal amid debt concerns and broad political and industry opposition.

via Los Angeles Times|
#business#cnn#ellison-family
WBD’s Q1 loss hits $2.9B as deal costs and restructuring bite
business20 days ago

WBD’s Q1 loss hits $2.9B as deal costs and restructuring bite

Warner Bros. Discovery posted a $2.9 billion first-quarter net loss driven by acquisition-related amortization, restructuring costs and a $2.8 billion Netflix termination fee tied to the failed Paramount Skydance deal; revenue slipped about 1% to $8.89 billion while streaming revenue rose about 9% as HBO Max expands internationally and ad-supported streaming grows. The company exceeded its streaming subscriber guidance by reaching over 140 million and aims to surpass 150 million by year-end, with film studio revenue up 35%. Linear TV networks lag, debt sits around $33.4 billion, and the Paramount deal is moving toward a Q3 close.

via CNBC|
#business#earnings#netflix-termination-fee
Paramount Skydance Beats Q1 on Streaming Growth as WBD Deal Moves Forward
business22 days ago

Paramount Skydance Beats Q1 on Streaming Growth as WBD Deal Moves Forward

Paramount Skydance topped Q1 2026 expectations with about $7.35B in revenue and 23¢ adjusted EPS, led by streaming strength from Paramount+ (11% revenue growth, ~80M subs). Film revenue rose 11% helped by Scream 7, while TV media declined on cord-cutting. The company reaffirmed full-year guidance of $30B revenue and $3.8B in adjusted EBITDA and remains on track to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for $31 per share cash, with a late-Q3 close anticipated, plus $3B in cost savings through 2027 and mid-year consolidation of its streaming tech stack.

via CNBC|
#business#paramount#paramount-skydance
Paramount Skydance Reveals Multi‑Million 2025 Pay for Ellison and Shell
business1 month ago

Paramount Skydance Reveals Multi‑Million 2025 Pay for Ellison and Shell

Paramount Skydance disclosed in an SEC filing that David Ellison’s 2025 compensation totaled $63.2 million (mostly stock vesting over five years) and former president Jeff Shell’s totaled $60.68 million, with most of each package in stock awards (Ellison about $58.7 million) plus pro‑rated salaries and cash bonuses; Shell also will receive accelerated vesting of stock and cash under his separation agreement. Several other executives posted seven-figure stock‑based pay as Paramount navigates a Warner Bros. Discovery deal and Shell’s departure amid a securities dispute.

via Variety|
#business#ellison#executive-compensation
Paramount Skydance deal clears WBD approval as merger advances
business1 month ago

Paramount Skydance deal clears WBD approval as merger advances

Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approved Paramount Skydance’s merger, and CEO David Ellison sent a celebratory memo noting progress toward closing amid ongoing regulatory reviews. He highlighted recent wins like Scream 7, Landman, and CBS primetime as signs of the portfolio’s strength, while acknowledging potential regulatory hurdles and some industry opposition ahead.

via Business Insider|
#business#merger#paramount-skydance
Shareholders back $110B Warner Bros Discovery–Paramount Skydance merger amid regulatory watch
business1 month ago

Shareholders back $110B Warner Bros Discovery–Paramount Skydance merger amid regulatory watch

Warner Bros Discovery shareholders overwhelmingly approved the $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance (CBS News owner), while rejecting large executive pay; the deal still needs DOJ and European antitrust clearances and may face state attorney general lawsuits, with closing targeted between July and September and potential implications for jobs and media independence.

via The Guardian|
#business#merger#paramount-skydance
Paramount Wins Shareholder OK for Warner Bros. Merger, Rejects Zaslav Pay Package
business1 month ago

Paramount Wins Shareholder OK for Warner Bros. Merger, Rejects Zaslav Pay Package

Paramount’s $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery won preliminary approval from WBD shareholders, who also rejected CEO David Zaslav’s lucrative pay package. With remaining regulatory hurdles, the deal would unite Warner Bros. and Paramount studios and merge HBO Max with Paramount+, creating a leading, next‑generation media company amid industry scrutiny about reduced competition.

via hollywoodreporter.com|
#business#david-zaslav-pay#merger
Paramount Skydance Merger Clears Hurdle as WBD Shareholders Back Deal, Reject Top Exec Payouts
business1 month ago

Paramount Skydance Merger Clears Hurdle as WBD Shareholders Back Deal, Reject Top Exec Payouts

Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders overwhelmingly approved Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion merger to create a larger media company, but voted against the lavish exit compensation for CEO David Zaslav and other top executives; the advisory vote is non-binding, meaning payouts could still proceed. Zaslav’s exit package includes roughly $34.2 million in cash severance, about $517.2 million in equity, health-benefits, and up to $335 million in IRS tax reimbursements for accelerated stock vesting, totaling at least $550 million. Other top executives are slated for nine-figure sums. Regulators’ approvals are still pending, and the deal could yield about $6 billion in cost savings with potential layoffs; the brief, virtual meeting lasted around 10 minutes.

via Variety|
#business#executive-compensation#merger
business1 month ago

Paramount-Skydance bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery heads to shareholder vote

Paramount Skydance's $31-per-share bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery—covering CNN/TNT/Discovery Channel, HBO Max, and the Warner film studio—goes to a shareholder vote, with a $7 billion breakup fee and Netflix termination fee totaling about $2.8 billion. ISS backs the deal for its premium and liquidity, but stops short of supporting CEO David Zaslav's roughly $800 million golden parachute, which includes stock awards and an excise-tax gross-up. The deal, sparked by a bidding war and after Netflix walked away, is expected to close in Q3 pending regulatory approval.

via CNBC|
#business#golden-parachute#merger
Paramount CEO Skips Senate Hearing on Warner Bros. Merger Over Family Bereavement
business1 month ago

Paramount CEO Skips Senate Hearing on Warner Bros. Merger Over Family Bereavement

Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison will not attend a Senate hearing on Paramount Skydance’s proposed $111 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery because of a death in the family; a Paramount representative said he’s at a funeral. The hearing, chaired by Sen. Cory Booker, will proceed with other witnesses, and Booker has asked for Ellison’s written testimony. Ellison has previously declined to testify, and the merger remains under review by regulators, with Hollywood signatories opposing the deal.

via Variety|
#business#death-in-family#ellison
Hollywood Stars Rally to Block Paramount-Skydance-Warner Merger
business1 month ago

Hollywood Stars Rally to Block Paramount-Skydance-Warner Merger

Over 1,000 film and TV figures, including Joaquin Phoenix, Ben Stiller and Kristen Stewart, signed an open letter opposing Paramount Skydance’s planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, warning the deal would reduce competition, threaten jobs and mid-budget filmmaking, and limit audience choice. The letter, published by the New York Times and BlocktheMerger.com, argues for stronger regulation and enforcement to protect the industry, with California and other states reportedly looking to block the merger; signatories emphasize the impact on independent and diverse storytelling.

via Variety|
#business#film-industry#hollywood
Zaslav Could Earn a Record $887 Million Golden Parachute in Warner Deal
business1 month ago

Zaslav Could Earn a Record $887 Million Golden Parachute in Warner Deal

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav could collect up to $887 million in a severance package if the company is acquired by Paramount Skydance in a $111 billion deal, including about $335 million to reimburse excise taxes. The compensation vote is nonbinding while shareholders vote on the sale, which is expected to trigger layoffs and cost cuts as the two studios and TV networks are consolidated. The arrangement has drawn criticism from ISS, highlighting the vast portion of the payout coming from stock vesting and the tax gross-up, amid broader concerns about debt and regulatory scrutiny surrounding the deal.

via Los Angeles Times|
#business#executive-compensation#golden-parachute