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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 and Warner Bros. Discovery have revealed plans to merge, creating a significant consolidation in the entertainment sector. The announcement was made on October 5, 2026, and details about the deal's structure and timeline are yet to be disclosed. This move signals a major shift in media industry strategies as companies seek to strengthen their competitive positions.
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 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.
Realme has released a Harry Potter-themed version of its 16 Pro 5G phone, made in collaboration with Warner Bros. The special edition keeps the standard model's core hardware but adds Hogwarts-inspired exterior styling, a trunk-shaped box, a themed phone case, SIM-ejector tool, postcards, a Hogwarts acceptance letter, bookmarks and other collectible extras.
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.
Netflix confirmed its six-year production partnership with David Fincher has concluded, ending an arrangement first signed in 2020 that gave the streamer exclusive rights to his films, including Mank and The Killer. The move follows similar endings to deals with other high-profile directors like Shawn Levy.
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.
Dish-owned Sling TV has stopped offering Sling Pass, the feature that let customers buy single-day, weekend, or week-long access to cable channels instead of a full monthly subscription. The company confirmed the discontinuation in a statement on its website and in a note sent to customers, as first reported by The Desk.
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.'