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Skydance has finalized its acquisition of Paramount and Warner Bros., taking control of major film studios, networks, and streaming platforms. The merger creates a media giant with a portfolio including DC, Harry Potter, and Star Trek, and will trade on the NYSE under the ticker SKYD. The deal adds significant content assets but also leaves the company with $80 billion in debt.
Paramount has finalized its $110 billion purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery, creating a new company called Skydance. The merger combines major streaming services and networks, giving control of key franchises like 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Game of Thrones.' David Ellison, leading Skydance, now oversees one of the largest entertainment entities, following legal approvals and settlement agreements.
Skydance, the newly formed company resulting from Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, announced it will combine HBO Max and Paramount Plus into a single streaming platform over time. No timeline or new name has been set, and HBO CEO Casey Bloys will oversee the unified service. CEO David Ellison previously said the merger could yield over 200 million direct-to-consumer subscribers.
Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery will rebrand as Skydance once their roughly $110 billion merger closes, expected October 6. The merged entity will house Paramount+, HBO Max, CBS, CNN, MTV and franchises like The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, DC and Yellowstone.
David Ellison, CEO of the newly combining Paramount and Warner Bros, announced on X that the $110 billion merged company will be called Skydance, after the studio he founded in 2006. The deal is expected to close this month after clearing its last regulatory hurdle in September, uniting HBO Max and Paramount+ along with franchises like Harry Potter, DC and Game of Thrones under one company.
Paramount CEO David Ellison announced the combined company will be called Skydance once its roughly $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery closes, expected October 6. The new entity will include Paramount+, HBO Max, CBS, CNN, MTV, TBS, Comedy Central and Food Network, along with franchises like 'The Lord of the Rings,' 'Game of Thrones,' the DC Universe and 'Yellowstone.'
Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison announced on X that the combined Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery company will be called Skydance, ahead of the acquisition's completion on October 6. Ellison had previously said Paramount+ and HBO Max would be merged into a single streaming service with roughly 200 million subscribers if regulators approved the deal.
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Paramount Skydance is preparing to merge with Warner Bros. Discovery, placing CEO David Ellison in control of major entertainment brands including HBO, HBO Max and Paramount+. Both companies have undergone repeated name and platform changes in recent years, from Warner Media to WBD and from Paramount+ rebrands, reflecting ongoing restructuring across the industry.
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