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In a recent episode of The Vergecast, hosts David Pierce and Nilay Patel examine a wave of new devices—including a high-end Microsoft Surface laptop, an Amazon Android tablet, and Apple's smart home push—that all center around AI assistants. The hosts also discuss the Paramount/Warner Bros Discovery acquisition and its implications for streaming, plus a segment on media regulation.
Skydance-owned Paramount has completed its $81 billion purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal valued at $111 billion including debt. The combined company now holds a broad portfolio spanning film franchises, television networks including CNN, and streaming services such as HBO Max.
Paramount Skydance has officially closed its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, beating out a rival Netflix bid, and now controls HBO, CBS, CNN, TNT Sports and franchises like Harry Potter and Star Trek. The deal, backed partly by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, pushes Skydance's debt close to $80 billion, and executives say the combined company plans to eventually merge HBO Max, Paramount+ and Discovery+ into one service.
Skydance confirmed completion of its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and said its streaming services—HBO Max, Paramount+ and Discovery+—will eventually unify into a single platform. The company gave no timeline, name, or pricing details for the combined service. Skydance also recently named HBO CEO Casey Bloys as Co-Chair and Chief Content Officer of its direct-to-consumer division.
Paramount, now controlled by Skydance, has officially closed its $81 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. The combined company will operate under the Paramount Skydance banner, according to the announcement.
Paramount Skydance closed its $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery after the Supreme Court declined to block it, with Justice Elena Kagan rejecting a last-minute appeal. The combined company, renamed Skydance, now owns Paramount+, HBO Max, CBS, CNN, and sports networks including CBS Sports and TNT Sports. The deal faced a multistate antitrust lawsuit, which California and other states settled last month after a federal judge approved the settlement on September 30.
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.
Paramount has completed its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, creating a new company called Skydance that consolidates major film studios, networks, and brands like HBO, CBS News, and CNN. The deal, which faced legal and political hurdles, was finalized after settling antitrust concerns with 12 states and includes commitments to produce a set number of films and increase US production spending.
CNN CEO Mark Thompson will remain in his role once Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery closes, forming a company called Skydance led by David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz. The merger also keeps Bari Weiss as CBS News editor-in-chief, installs Casey Bloys as chief content officer of streaming, and names Josh Greenstein, Dana Goldberg and George Cheeks to run film and TV units. The deal is expected to close Tuesday, and includes a state-mandated news editorial independence board.
David Ellison announced on X that the newly merged Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery will operate under the name Skydance, after a consent decree settled an antitrust lawsuit from 12 state attorneys general. The $111 billion deal, finalized September 21, follows a year-long bidding war in which Ellison prevailed after Netflix withdrew its interest in Warner Bros. Discovery.
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.