After the expected close of their merger, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery will together be known as Skydance.
 |
| Skydance |
Showing posts with label Paramount Skydance Corp.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paramount Skydance Corp.. Show all posts
Friday, November 06, 2026
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Super! Italy to Premiere 'iCarly (2021)' in September 2026
The Italian free-to-air (FTA) children's channel Super! will start to air iCarly (2021), the hit Paramount+ Original comedy series, from Monday 14th September 2026! The series is a revival of Nickelodeon's iconic comedy series, iCarly, and picks up where the characters are today. The news follows De Agostini Editore recently reacquiring the channel from Paramount, with plans to rebrand the channel into a family entertainment destination. The news was announced by PRS Mediagroup, the channel's ad-sales partner.
 |
| Courtesy of Paramount+/Nickelodeon |
Ordered in 2020, the rebooted series picked up with adult Carly Shay (Miranda Cosgrove), 10 years older, as she reunited with her brother Spencer (Jerry Trainer) and longtime friend and cameraman Freddie (Nathan Kress), and sets out to revamp her popular web show with the help of old and new friends. Laci Mosley joined the original cast as Carly’s new friend, Harper, along with Jaidyn Triplett, who portrayed Freddie’s stepdaughter Millicent.
The series ran for 33 episodes across three seasons between June 2021 and July 2023. The reboot was produced by Nickelodeon Studios and Awesomeness and executive produced by Jay Kogen and Ali Schouten, who also wrote the pilot. Cosgrove served as executive producer, with Trainor and Alissa Vradenburg serving as producers. The series was previously released on Paramount+ Italia.
The third season of the iCarly reboot ended on a massive cliffhanger, in which fans were about to learn the identity of Carly's mother, who has remained of the series biggest mysteries. A movie to wrap up the series is planned.
Super! (Italy) continuity + ads | October 5, 2026 • pubblicitĂ | 5 Ottobre 2026
Nickelodeon Italy - The Boss Baby: Back in Business - New Show Promo (October 2026)
Nickelodeon Italy - The Patrick Star Show - New Episodes Promo (October 2026)
Lo Show di Patrick Stella
Nickelodeon Italy - My Weird School - Premiere Promo (October 2026)
La mia strana scuola
Nickelodeon Italy - Ha Ha Halloween - Promo (October 2026)
Shop Paramount+ at ParamountShop.com
Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Add NickALive! to Google Preferred Sources
Originally published: July 25, 2026.
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Skydance Announces Board, Adding Ynon Kreiz, Laurene Powell Jobs and Bobby Kotick as Directors and Tony Blair as Advisor
Skydance Announces Board, Adding Ynon Kreiz, Laurene Powell Jobs and Bobby Kotick as Directors and Tony Blair as Advisor
David Ellison will continue to serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Founder and President of Emerson Collective Laurene Powell Jobs and Activision founder Bobby Kotick join as Independent Directors, along with Skydance Co-CEO Ynon Kreiz; former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to serve as Board Advisor
 |
| Skydance |
LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2026 -- Skydance Corporation (NYSE: SKYD) ("Skydance") today announced the director and advisor designees for the newly combined company, formed through Paramount's merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBD). The designees will join the Skydance Board of Directors, effective immediately.
David Ellison will chair the Board and continue to serve as Skydance's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Board will include all current members of Paramount's Board, along with three new additions: Ynon Kreiz, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Skydance, Laurene Powell Jobs, founder and president of Emerson Collective; and Bobby Kotick, founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Activision. Powell Jobs and Kotick will join as Independent Directors.
Powell Jobs is a visionary entrepreneur and one of the most influential leaders in business and philanthropy. She is also a committed investor in journalism and media, supporting quality, independent reporting and storytelling at both the national and local levels. She built her career on creating institutions that endure and drive meaningful change. Her leadership extends across education, climate and community-driven initiatives. As founder and president of Emerson Collective, she pioneered a groundbreaking model that unites venture investing and philanthropic grant-making to tackle society's most complex challenges, and she has shown a rare gift for identifying bold ideas early and scaling them into lasting impact. That dedication, together with her extensive experience in investing and philanthropy, makes her a valuable addition to Skydance's board.
Bobby Kotick brings more than three decades of public-company leadership, having served as CEO of Activision for 32 years and built it into one of the world's most successful video game companies. He paired bold strategic moves, including the company's merger with Vivendi Games, with disciplined capital allocation and a consistent record of rewarding shareholders. That record culminated in the sale of Activision Blizzard to Microsoft for $68.7 billion, the largest transaction in the history of the video game industry. Throughout his tenure, he showed a rare ability to anticipate shifts in how consumers engage with entertainment, investing in new platforms, new business models and new ways of reaching fans while keeping creative excellence at the center of the enterprise. His experience scaling a franchise-driven business, managing the complexity of a global public company and steering major industry transitions will serve Skydance well as it navigates an evolving media and entertainment landscape.
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair will join as a Board Advisor. Blair, who will be acting in a personal capacity, is Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, a not-for-profit organization, which helps leaders govern in the age of AI. His global leadership experience and commitment to innovation position him as an invaluable advisor in shaping Skydance's strategic priorities.
Skydance is a creative-first, audience-focused, tech-forward and globally scaled company, and these directors reflect that ambition. Their combined experience across media and entertainment, technology, finance and global affairs will provide strategic guidance and oversight as Skydance brings together its complementary businesses, storytelling capabilities and technology platforms, helping to align our goals and accelerate growth.
Said David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount, a Skydance Corporation:
"I am delighted to welcome Laurene and Bobby to our Board and honored to have Tony join us as an Advisor. Laurene is a true visionary and one of the great institution builders of our time. Her vision, judgment and unwavering commitment to high-quality journalism and media investments make her a truly exceptional addition to our Board. Through Emerson Collective, she pioneered an innovative model that brings together venture investing and philanthropy to tackle society's most complex challenges, and she has an extraordinary gift for recognizing bold ideas early and turning them into lasting impact."
Ellison continued: "Bobby led a global entertainment company through three decades of sustained growth, and he brings real perspective on building enduring franchises and connecting with fans. His record of pairing bold strategic moves with disciplined capital allocation is exactly the experience we need as we bring our businesses together. Tony has led at the highest levels of government, respected for his intellect, strategic vision and ability to bring people together around bold, forward-looking ideas. His global perspective and insight will be invaluable as we turn ambition into results."
Ellison added: "Together with our other directors, they bring the experience and fresh perspectives we need to build Skydance into an extraordinary company, one that honors the legacies of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery while setting a bold course for the future. United by a commitment to creative excellence, innovation and long-term shareholder value, this Board will help us empower our teams, strengthen our businesses and deliver exceptional entertainment to audiences around the world."
The Director-designees are as follows:
- David Ellison, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Skydance
- Barbara Byrne, Former Vice Chairman of Barclays PLC (Independent Director)
- Andy Campion, Chairman and CEO of Unrivaled Sports (Independent Director)
- Gerry Cardinale, Founder, Managing Partner, and Chief Investment Officer, RedBird Capital Partners
- Safra A. Catz, Executive Vice Chair and Former CEO, Oracle Corporation
- Andy Gordon, President of Skydance
- Justin G. Hamill, Managing Director and Chief Legal Officer, Silver Lake (Independent Director)
- Lauren Powell Jobs, Founder and President, Emerson Collective (Independent Director)
- Bobby Kotick, Founder and former CEO of Activision (Independent Director)
- Ynon Kreiz, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Skydance
- Sherry Lansing, Former Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures (Independent Director)
- Paul Marinelli, President, Lawrence Investments, LLC
- John L. Thornton, Chairman of RedBird Capital Partners
About Skydance
Skydance is a next-generation global media and entertainment company, composed of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. Skydance's portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount, Warner Bros., HBO, Paramount+, Pluto TV, CBS, CNN, CBS Sports, TNT Sports, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, MTV, Food Network, BET, HGTV, and Comedy Central.
PSKY-IR
###
Shop Paramount+ at ParamountShop.com
Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Add NickALive! to Google Preferred Sources
Original Skydance Corporation press release courtesy of PR Newswire; H/T: ABC27.
Tuesday, October 06, 2026
Paramount Completes Acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Creating a New Global Entertainment Leader, Skydance
PARAMOUNT COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY, CREATING A NEW GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT LEADER, SKYDANCE
- The combination builds on the storied history of two of the world's most recognizable entertainment companies, forming a single creative powerhouse.
- The combined company, Skydance, brings together two major film studios, two global streaming services, premier television assets including CBS, HBO, and Paramount's and WBD's cable networks, two of the industry's most recognized news networks, CBS News and CNN, and a leading content portfolio that includes live sports, a deep programming library and expansive collection of iconic brands and franchises.
- Together, Paramount and WBD will deliver enhanced output commitments, including a minimum of 30 high-quality theatrical films per year and 180+ television shows and series.
- Skydance aims to build the next-generation global media and entertainment company powered by creativity and technology. We are creative-first, audience focused, tech-forward, globally scaled.
- Storytelling anchors the combined company's growth strategy – expanding opportunities for the world's leading creative talent and widening choice for consumers across every entertainment vertical.
- Disciplined execution and an owner-operator model underpin the strategy, targeting at least $6 billion in run-rate synergies within three years.
LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2026 -- Skydance Corporation (f/k/a Paramount Skydance Corporation) (NYSE: SKYD) ("Paramount") today announced the completion of its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBD) ("WBD"), creating a combined company, named "Skydance." The company brings together two major film studios, two global streaming services, a premier television portfolio including CBS, HBO, and Paramount's and WBD's cable networks, two of the industry's most recognized news networks, CBS News and CNN, and a portfolio of live sports including CBS Sports and TNT Sports, as well as a deep programming library and expansive collection of brands and franchises. The transaction closed following receipt of all required regulatory approvals under the merger agreement and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Skydance Class B shares will begin trading today on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the new ticker symbol "SKYD."
Under the terms of the agreement, WBD shareholders received an amount in cash equal to $31.01666668 per share. WBD shares have ceased trading on NASDAQ, effective today.
The completed transaction unites two of media and entertainment's most storied companies, each with a history spanning more than a century, giving the combined business a rare legacy to build on. The aim of the combined company is to build the next-generation global media and entertainment company powered by creativity and technology.
Storytelling will drive the combined company's growth, bringing creative visions to life for audiences in more than 200 countries and territories and creating greater opportunities for workers across the entertainment industry. Skydance starts from a position of strength: the most diverse film and television library of any studio, the largest theatrical output in the industry, 200+ million streaming subscribers across platforms, an iconic broadcast network, an unmatched sports portfolio, and a franchise portfolio spanning Top Gun and Harry Potter to White Lotus and SpongeBob SquarePants. From this foundation, Skydance is committed to delivering for the creative community and consumers, with at least 30 theatrical films annually, each with a minimum 45-day theatrical window, and already boasts 180+ television shows. Across TV and streaming, Skydance will also continue to support the independent production sector by commissioning content from independent studios and licensing its own content to third parties, creating more opportunities and more jobs for creatives, both in front of and behind the camera.
David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Skydance, said: "Today is a historic day, not just for Skydance but for our entire industry. From the start, our ambition was to bring these two storied studios together and create a stronger competitor, with the talent, resources, and reach to tell great stories in every genre, on every platform, for audiences everywhere. Now that ambition is a reality. We're grateful to everyone who made this possible – the employees, creative talent, and production teams of both companies, who worked tirelessly to get us here and inspire audiences around the world every day, as well as the advisors and partners who guided this transaction to completion. Our focus now turns to the future: building a company that empowers creatives, entertains audiences and rewards shareholders. We couldn't be more excited to get to work."
Gerry Cardinale, Founder and Managing Partner of RedBird Capital and a Skydance Board Director, said: "This is a defining moment for the industry. By applying our owner-operator model to Paramount and WBD's unmatched portfolio of iconic franchises, premium original programming, and live sports rights, we can protect that legacy while building for a media landscape that's undergoing transformational change. David, our Co-CEO Ynon Kreiz, and the rest of our world-class Skydance team have the vision and track record to lead through this change. We're proud to back them as we build a stronger Hollywood, expand opportunities for talent, and create long-term value for our shareholders."
At the same time, consumers can expect greater innovation from a company built with technology at its core, including significant improvements to its direct-to-consumer streaming products, which will unify into a single service over time.
The transaction received unanimous approval from competition authorities covering nearly 70 jurisdictions worldwide, reflecting recognition of the deal's pro-competitive nature and the benefits it brings to consumers and creatives alike. The combination will strengthen competition and expand consumer choice, both on Skydance's own platforms and across the broader industry.
The combined company is built on a strong financial foundation that positions it to capitalize on growth opportunities, deliver on its commitments, and drive shareholder value. Skydance is one of the largest media and entertainment companies in the world, with nearly $70 billion in revenue. We are targeting $6 billion-plus in run-rate synergies over the next three years. Applying the same operational playbook that allowed Paramount to exceed its synergy targets following the Skydance-Paramount merger, the synergy savings will come primarily from technology, integration and procurement, marketing and real estate rationalization. That will make the company leaner and more nimble, freeing it to grow its investment in the stories, creators and technology that matter most while reducing net leverage to its 3.0x target by the end of 2029.
Powered by best-in-class content, streaming scale and technological edge, the combined company expects to generate more than $10 billion in free cash flow by 2030 – reducing leverage while funding growth and investment. Its pro forma content spend of more than $30 billion for the last twelve-month period will be disciplined and strategic, prioritizing audience reach and long-term value creation.
WBD's common stock has ceased trading on the Nasdaq Exchange, effective today. The Ellison Family holds the largest equity stake in Skydance (NYSE: SKYD), and the Ellison Family and RedBird Capital Partners ("RedBird") together are the sole holders of Paramount Class A Common Stock, including 100% of the combined company's voting shares.
As previously stated, the transaction included $47 billion of new equity investment in Class B Common Stock, led by the Ellison Family, RedBird, Public Investment Fund (PIF), L'IMAD, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and LionTree, which was priced at $12.00 per share. The debt financing for the transaction was led by Bank of America, Citigroup and Apollo.
Advisors
Centerview Partners LLC and RedBird Advisors acted as lead financial advisors to Paramount, and Bank of America Securities, Citi, M. Klein & Company and LionTree Advisors also acted as financial advisors. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal counsel to Paramount. Latham & Watkins LLP also acted as legal counsel to the investor consortium, including the Ellison Family.
Allen & Company, J.P. Morgan and Evercore served as financial advisors to WBD and Wachtell Lipton, Rosen & Katz and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP served as legal counsel.
Barclays Capital acted as financial advisors to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Paramount and Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP served as legal counsel.
About Skydance
Skydance is a next-generation global media and entertainment company, composed of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. Skydance's portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount, Warner Bros., HBO and HBO Max, Paramount+, Pluto TV, CBS, CNN, CBS Sports, TNT Sports, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, MTV, Food Network, BET, HGTV, and Comedy Central.
PSKY-IR
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains "forward-looking statements" regarding the completed acquisition of WBD and the integration, synergies, financial and leverage targets, strategy, impact on competition, and other go-forward matters of the combined company. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Paramount or WBD. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks that the expected benefits, synergies and opportunities of the completed acquisition may not be realized or may take longer to realize than expected; risks and costs associated with the integration of the business of WBD, including the ability to integrate successfully and to achieve anticipated synergies and financial targets; risks that the combined company may not achieve the expected run-rate synergies, net leverage, free cash flow or other financial goals described in this press release within the expected timeframes or at all; potential disruption to business operations and relationships as a result of the completed acquisition and ongoing integration; the risk of stockholder litigation relating to the acquisition of WBD; risks related to Paramount's streaming business; the adverse impact on Paramount's advertising revenues as a result of changes in consumer behavior, advertising market conditions and deficiencies in audience measurement; risks related to operating in highly competitive and dynamic industries; the unpredictable nature of consumer behavior, as well as evolving technologies and distribution models; risks related to Paramount's decisions to invest in new businesses, products, services and technologies, and the evolution of Paramount's business strategy; the potential for loss of carriage or other reduction in, or the impact of negotiations for, the distribution of Paramount's content; damage to Paramount's reputation or brands; losses due to asset impairment charges for goodwill, content and long-lived assets, including finite-lived intangible assets; liabilities related to discontinued operations and former businesses; increasing scrutiny of, and evolving expectations for, sustainability initiatives; evolving business continuity, cybersecurity, privacy and data protection and similar risks; challenges in protecting and maintaining Paramount's intellectual property rights; domestic and global political, economic and regulatory factors affecting Paramount's business generally or the completed acquisition of WBD; the inability to hire or retain key employees or secure creative talent; disruptions to Paramount's operations as a result of labor disputes; risks and costs associated with the integration of, and Paramount's ability to integrate, the businesses of Paramount Global, Paramount, Skydance and WBD successfully and to achieve anticipated synergies, including in the amounts or on the timelines anticipated to realize such synergies; litigation relating to the transactions contemplated by the transaction agreement entered into on July 7, 2024, between Paramount Global and Skydance Media, LLC, potentially resulting in substantial costs; volatility in the price of Paramount's Class B common stock; the effect Paramount's dual-class capital structure and the concentrated ownership may have on the price of its Class B common stock or business; risks related to a private sale of a controlling interest in Paramount, including that Paramount's stockholders may not realize any change of control premium on shares of Paramount's Class B common stock and that Paramount may become subject to the control of a presently unknown third party; risks associated with Paramount's status as a "controlled company" under NYSE rules, including its exemption from certain corporate governance requirements; risks associated with the lack of voting rights of Paramount's Class B common stock; risks that anti-takeover provisions in Paramount's amended and restated certificate of incorporation ("Charter") and amended and restated bylaws, and under Delaware law, could deter, delay, or prevent a change of control; risks that exclusive forum provisions in Paramount's Charter could limit a stockholder's choice of forum for certain claims and discourage lawsuits against Paramount's directors and officers; risks that corporate opportunity provisions in Paramount's Charter could permit certain persons to pursue competitive opportunities that might otherwise be available to Paramount; risks associated with Paramount's holding company structure, including its dependence on distributions from its subsidiaries to meet tax obligations and other cash requirements; risks related to the combined company's ability to incur substantially more debt and its ability to meet the financial and other covenants contained in the agreements governing its substantial indebtedness; risks relating to the combined company's ability to deleverage the business in accordance with management's targets, including risks arising from assumptions, uncertainties and contingencies that may affect our ability to reduce indebtedness; risks relating to management's ability to execute on its strategic plan and improve the combined company's financial profile and cash flows from operations; and risks relating to any capital or other financing the combined company may have to raise in order to reduce its indebtedness following the acquisition of WBD. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors and the general risks associated with the respective businesses of Paramount and WBD can be found in Paramount's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2026, as amended by Paramount's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, filed with the SEC on April 24, 2026, as superseded by, and solely to the extent set forth in, Paramount's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 13, 2026, Paramount's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2026, filed with the SEC on August 4, 2026, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and Paramount's subsequent filings with the SEC, and WBD's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2026, WBD's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2026, filed with the SEC on August 6, 2026, in each case, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and WBD's subsequent filings with the SEC, including filings related to the acquisition of WBD. Copies of these filings, as well as subsequent filings, are available online at www.sec.gov, https://ir.paramount.com/sec-filings/paramount, https://ir.corporate.discovery.com/financials/sec-filings, as applicable, or on request from Paramount or WBD. Neither Paramount nor WBD undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments, except as required by law. We are not able to reconcile forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures because we are unable without unreasonable efforts to accurately estimate the individual adjustments for such reconciliations, as applicable, or to quantify the probable significance of these items at this time.
###
Shop Paramount+ at ParamountShop.com
Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Add NickALive! to Google Preferred Sources
Official Skydance Corporation press release courtesy of PR Newswire.
David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz Announce their CEO Leadership Team for Skydance Following Anticipated Close of Warner Bros. Discovery Acquisition
David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz Announce their CEO Leadership Team for Skydance Following Anticipated Close of Warner Bros. Discovery Acquisition
The CEO Leadership Team will anchor a culture of innovation and excellence to build the next-generation global media and entertainment company powered by creativity and technology
New team brings together unmatched industry expertise, bold creative vision, and a commitment to using technology to elevate creators and strengthen every part of the business
 |
| Skydance |
LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Paramount Skydance Corporation (NASDAQ: PSKY) (the "Company") Chairman and CEO David Ellison and Co-CEO Ynon Kreiz today announced their CEO Leadership Team (CLT) expected to lead the combined company, to be named Skydance, following the anticipated close of Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBD) ("WBD"). Drawing on deep expertise across entertainment, technology, and business operations, the CLT brings together leaders from both companies and reflects their complementary strengths. Each will report directly to the CEOs.
These leaders bring decades of experience building and stewarding iconic franchises, a bold creative vision, and a shared commitment to achieve the company's stated mission: to build the next-generation global media and entertainment company powered by creativity and technology. Together, they will focus on delivering exceptional storytelling for audiences around the world, creating new opportunities for creative talent and partners, and driving long-term value for shareholders.
The CLT, led by Ellison and Kreiz, is designed to drive transformation and growth, deepen collaboration across the business, and ensure the combined company is positioned to execute on its mission. Ellison will focus on the company's long-term strategy, creative vision and direction, including its talent relationships, strategic partnerships, technology and capital allocation. Kreiz will focus on the company's day-to-day management and integration of the combined business. Andy Gordon, President of Skydance, will work closely with both to advance the Company's strategic priorities across its businesses. All three will also serve on the Board of Directors, with Ellison as Chairman.
The following is the expected full CLT who will report to Ellison and Kreiz, assuming completion of the Transaction:
Enterprise Leadership
- David Ellison, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
- Ynon Kreiz, Co-Chief Executive Officer
CEO Corporate Leadership Team
- Andy Gordon, President
- Dennis Cinelli, Chief Financial Officer
- Makan Delrahim, Chief Legal Officer and President, Global Corporate Affairs
- Dane Glasgow, Chief Product Officer
- Rebecca Mall, Chief Marketing Officer
- Melissa Zukerman, Chief Communications Officer
CEO Business Leadership Team
- Casey Bloys, Co-Chair and Chief Content Officer, Skydance DTC
- George Cheeks, Co-Chair and Chief Content Officer, Skydance TV
- Dana Goldberg, Co-Chair, Skydance Motion Picture Group
- Josh Greenstein, Co-Chair, Skydance Motion Picture Group
- James Gunn, Co-Chairman of DC Studios
- JB Perrette, Co-Chair & Chief Business Officer, Skydance TV and Co-Chair & Chief Business Officer, Skydance DTC
- Peter Safran, Co-Chairman of DC Studios
CEO News Executive Leadership Team
- Mark Thompson, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of CNN Worldwide
- Bari Weiss, Editor-in-Chief of CBS News
A complete list of the Company's new Executive Leadership Team (ELT) will be issued soon after close.
David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount, said: "I'm incredibly proud to introduce the team that will lead Skydance forward, a group that reflects the ambition behind this historic combination. Together, Paramount and Warner Bros. will form a creative-first home with the scale, imagination and technology to define entertainment for a generation. The leaders joining me have built some of the most beloved franchises and businesses in the industry, and they share a deep respect for the creative process and a belief that great stories have the power to entertain, unite and inspire audiences around the world. Their talent, experience and ambition are exactly what this moment demands, and together we will build a next-generation global media company that leads the industry in creative excellence and innovation, and delivers for audiences, creators, partners and shareholders alike."
Ynon Kreiz, Co-CEO of Paramount said: "Our goals as a team are to establish Skydance as the premier Hollywood content engine and home for the world's leading storytellers, accelerate our integrated DTC platform with the best content, leading-edge technology and superior consumer experience, and optimize our highly profitable linear TV portfolio, reaching audiences globally across every entertainment vertical. Together, we will: Win in storytelling by leveraging our creative capabilities, talent relationships, production prowess and expansive library of iconic IP; Build the most technologically capable media company through a modern tech platform to enhance the user experience, improve how we work and achieve operating efficiencies; and Lead in a crowded market by capitalizing on our scale, assets and global reach to compete in an evolving marketplace, drive synergies and grow our business."
CEO Leadership Team Bios, assuming completion of the Transaction:
David Ellison, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
David Ellison will serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Skydance, a premier global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes award-winning content across television, film, streaming, and digital platforms — a role he most recently held at Paramount, where he led the anticipated acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. David previously served as CEO of Skydance Media, the diversified media company he founded in 2010, overseeing its slate of blockbuster and critically acclaimed films, including 2022's Top Gun: Maverick, and later launched Skydance Television, Skydance Animation, and Skydance Sports, building a diverse portfolio of series, animated features, and sports content across major streaming and broadcast platforms. David is an Academy Award-, Golden Globe- and Emmy Award-nominated producer, whose films have grossed nearly $10 billion globally.
Ynon Kreiz, Co-CEO
Ynon Kreiz will serve as Co-Chief Executive Officer of Skydance, a premier global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes award-winning content across television, film, streaming, and digital platforms. Most recently, Ynon served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mattel, where he led a multi-year transformation strategy to expand Mattel's brands into film, television, consumer products and digital games, including the 2023 release of Barbie, the #1 global box office film of the year and Warner Bros.' highest-grossing movie of all time. He previously served as Chairman and CEO of Maker Studios, one of YouTube's largest multichannel networks, acquired by The Walt Disney Company, and earlier as Chairman and CEO of Endemol Group, the world's largest independent television production company.
Andy Gordon, President
Andy Gordon will serve as President of Skydance, working closely with Chairman and CEO David Ellison and Co-CEO Ynon Kreiz to advance the company's strategic priorities across its businesses. An early advisor to Skydance Media, he helped orchestrate Skydance's acquisition of Paramount in 2025 and Paramount's anticipated acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery in 2026. He currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Paramount, and previously was a Partner at RedBird Capital Partners, where he led the firm's Los Angeles office and its Technology, Media & Telecom investment team. Earlier, he spent 35 years at Goldman Sachs, a majority as partner, including as global chairman of Investment Banking Services and global head of media and telecommunications for the Technology, Media and Telecom Group.
Casey Bloys, Co-Chair and Chief Content Officer, Skydance Direct-To-Consumer (DTC)
Casey Bloys will serve as Co-Chair and Chief Creative Officer of Skydance DTC, overseeing HBO Max and Paramount+ original programming as well as strategy, operations, communications, and performance across the company's streaming platforms. He currently serves as Chairman and CEO, HBO and Max Content. Since assuming oversight of HBO programming as President in 2016, he and his team have developed and produced a wide array of acclaimed series including The Pitt, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, The White Lotus, The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, DTF St. Louis, The Penguin, Succession, Chernobyl, Barry, Girls, Veep, Insecure, Mare of Easttown and Big Little Lies, among others. And the highly anticipated Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone will debut on Christmas this year. Bloys joined HBO in 2004 and rose through roles including Executive Vice President of HBO Programming and President of HBO Programming.
George Cheeks, Co-Chair and Chief Content Officer, Skydance TV
George Cheeks will co-lead Skydance's newly formed Television division, an expansive mix of Paramount and Warner Bros. studios, networks, sports and cable brands. His remit will include three television studios -- Warner Bros. Television Studios, CBS Studios and Paramount Television Studios – as well as Skydance's global sports group, the CBS Television Network, 27 local television stations and a portfolio of more than 50 cable networks in the U.S. and around the world including brands such as HGTV, Food Network, TBS, TNT, Discovery, BET, Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon. Since joining Paramount in 2020, he served as Co-CEO of Paramount Global and CEO of CBS, helping transform the network from a singular broadcast brand into a global multiplatform content provider for broadcast and streaming.
Dennis Cinelli, Chief Financial Officer
Dennis K. Cinelli is Chief Financial Officer of Paramount, a role he will continue to hold at Skydance, where he oversees the company's global financial functions, including accounting, tax and investor relations. He previously served as a member of Paramount's Board of Directors. Before joining Paramount, Cinelli was CFO of Scale AI, where he guided the company through sevenfold revenue growth, a $1 billion Series F financing and a $14 billion strategic investment from Meta. Earlier, he held senior leadership roles at Uber, including VP & Head of Mobility for the U.S. & Canada and VP of Global Strategic Finance during the company's 2019 IPO, and he served as CFO of GE Ventures. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business.
Makan Delrahim, Chief Legal Officer & President, Global Corporate Affairs
Makan Delrahim currently serves as Chief Legal Officer of Paramount, overseeing all legal, regulatory, compliance, labor relations, and public policy, including oversight of global government relations, and will continue with those responsibilities at Skydance. He previously was a Partner at Latham & Watkins LLP, advising clients on complex mergers, government investigations, and crisis situations, and earlier served as the 35th U.S. Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, overseeing hundreds of mergers and acquisitions and expanding the division's international engagement. Makan has also held senior posts at DOJ, the White House, the U.S. Senate, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Dane Glasgow, Chief Product Officer
Dane Glasgow will serve as Chief Product Officer for Skydance, leading the Company's long-term product vision and technical strategy - driving innovation across digital platforms, immersive storytelling, advertising, and AI-powered capabilities. He previously served as VP of Product Management at Facebook, where he led product teams delivering to over 3 billion monthly active users. Prior, Dane was a serial entrepreneur and held senior leadership positions in product, design, engineering, and general management at Google, eBay, and Microsoft.
Dana Goldberg, Co-Chairman, Skydance Motion Picture Group
Dana Goldberg will serve as Co-Chairman of Skydance Motion Picture Group with Josh Greenstein, overseeing vision, long-term strategy, operations, production, development, business affairs, marketing, distribution and strategic planning for Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. and the broader film portfolio. Prior to joining Paramount, she served as Chief Creative Officer of Skydance Media, having joined in 2010 as President of Production, where she developed and produced films, including Top Gun: Maverick, several Mission: Impossible entries, World War Z, The Gorge, and The Adam Project. In 2013, she founded Skydance Television, producing more than 20 series such as Reacher, Grace and Frankie, and Foundation.
Josh Greenstein, Co-Chairman, Skydance Motion Picture Group
Josh Greenstein will as Co-Chairman of Skydance Motion Picture Group with Dana Goldberg, overseeing vision, long-term strategy, operations, production, development, business affairs, distribution, and strategic planning for Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. and the broader film portfolio. Prior to joining Paramount, he served as President of Sony Pictures' Motion Picture Group, where he oversaw the studio's labels on films and franchises including Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Bad Boys for Life, Jumanji, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Where the Crawdads Sing, and The Woman King, with No Way Home becoming Sony's highest-grossing release at the time.
James Gunn, Co-Chairman of DC Studios
James Gunn will serve as Co-Chairman DC Studios at Skydance, partnering with Peter Safran. Gunn was the creative force behind the company's 2025 blockbuster Superman, its hugely anticipated follow-up – Man of Tomorrow – in theaters next summer, and the award-winning Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, among others. At DC Studios, he is executive producing a cross-platform slate that includes the HBO Max smash Lanterns, as well as Peacemaker and Creature Commandos, both of which he wrote and created. Gunn got his start as a screenwriter, penning the 1997 cult classic Tromeo & Juliet, followed by The Specials, the Scooby-Doo films, Dawn of the Dead, and his 2006 directorial debut Slither.
Rebecca Mall, Chief Marketing Officer
Rebecca Mall will serve as Chief Marketing Officer of Skydance, where she will lead brand, franchise, cross company, and Kids and Family marketing. She will also partner with all of Skydance's business units to align media investment and brand marketing across the enterprise, coordinating efforts across Media, Digital Analytics, and Social. Prior to joining the Company, Mall held senior leadership roles across the entertainment and technology industries, including at William Morris Endeavor (WME), Paramount Pictures, and Google.
Jean-Briac (JB) Perrette, Co-Chair & Chief Business Officer, Skydance Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) and Co-Chair & Chief Business Officer, Skydance TV
JB will serve as Co-Chair & Chief Business Officer, Skydance DTC and Co-Chair & Chief Business Officer, Skydance TV, including direct global oversight for Global Distribution, Advertising Sales, Content Sales, DTC Strategy, Marketing and business operations. He most recently served as CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games for Warner Bros. Discovery, where he led the global rollout of HBO Max to more than 130 markets worldwide, spearheaded a $4B+ turnaround in profitability, and oversaw the Company's leading games portfolio, including titles such as Mortal Kombat and Hogwarts Legacy. He previously served as President and CEO of Discovery International and Streaming, and earlier spent 11 years at NBCUniversal, including as President of Digital and Affiliate Distribution, where he played a key leadership role in the creation and development of Hulu.
Peter Safran, Co-Chairman of DC Studios
Peter Safran will serve as Co-Chairman of DC Studios at Skydance, partnering with James Gunn to lead the strategic and creative direction of the DC Universe across film, television, animation, themed entertainment and gaming. A veteran entertainment executive and producer, Safran previously founded and led The Safran Company, producing globally successful franchises including The Conjuring, Aquaman, and Shazam!, generating billions in worldwide box office revenue. Recognized for building enduring entertainment brands and franchises, he combines creative leadership with business acumen. Safran holds degrees from Princeton University and New York University School of Law.
Mark Thompson, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, CNN
Sir Mark Thompson serves as Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of CNN Worldwide, overseeing all aspects of the business in the U.S. and around the world, and serving as editor-in-chief of CNN. He previously served as President and CEO of The New York Times Company, leading the transformation of the news brand into a digital powerhouse and growing digital subscribers from half a million to nearly 6 million, and earlier served an eight-year term as Director General of the BBC, where he guided the organization's coverage of major global events and launched the BBC iPlayer, one of the world's first streaming services from a major broadcaster.
Bari Weiss, Editor-in-Chief of CBS News
Bari Weiss serves as Editor in Chief of CBS News. She is also the Editor in Chief of The Free Press, which was acquired by Skydance in 2025. Before founding The Free Press in 2020, alongside her wife and her sister, Ms. Weiss worked on the opinion pages of The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. In 2021, the Los Angeles Press Club awarded her with the Daniel Pearl Award for Courage and Integrity in Journalism. She is the author of the book How to Fight Anti-Semitism, and the host of the podcast Honestly.
Melissa Zukerman, Chief Communications Officer
Melissa Zukerman currently serves as Chief Communications Officer of Paramount and will continue in that role at Skydance, where she will lead global communications strategy, serve as chief spokesperson, and advise the Chairman and CEO on external relations. She oversees corporate messaging, executive, crisis, and internal communications, as well as the company's Corporate Social Responsibility division. She previously served as managing partner of a communications and public relations advisory firm, representing high-profile media companies and executives including AT&T, Disney, Marvel Studios, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Skydance. Earlier, she held corporate communications roles at Universal Studios, E! Entertainment Television, and IFILM.
About Skydance
Skydance is a next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. Skydance's portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount, Warner Bros., HBO, Paramount+, Pluto TV, CBS, CNN, CBS Sports, TNT Sports, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, MTV, Food Network, BET, HGTV, and Comedy Central.
PSKY-IR
###
Shop Paramount+ at ParamountShop.com
Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Add NickALive! to Google Preferred Sources
Official Paramount Skydance Corporation press release courtesy of PR Newswire; H/T: TheFutonCritic.com.
Monday, October 05, 2026
Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery Announce Anticipated Closing Date of Paramount Merger
Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery Announce Anticipated Closing Date of Paramount Merger
NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2026 -- Paramount Skydance Corporation (NASDAQ: PSKY) ("PSKY") and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBD) ("WBD" or "Warner Bros. Discovery") today announced that the merger (the "Merger") contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 27, 2026 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among WBD, PSKY and Prince Sub Inc., is expected to close on October 6, 2026 (the "Anticipated Closing Date"), subject to customary closing conditions.
As previously disclosed, at the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), each share of WBD common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares of WBD common stock to be canceled for no consideration in accordance with the Merger Agreement or as to which appraisal rights have been properly exercised) will be converted into the right to receive, without interest, an amount in cash equal to (x) $31.00 plus (y) (i) $0.00277778 multiplied by (ii) the number of calendar days elapsed after September 30, 2026 to and including the date on which the closing of the Merger occurs (the "Closing Date"). Accordingly, if the Closing Date occurs on the Anticipated Closing Date, at the Effective Time, each such share of WBD common stock will be converted into the right to receive, without interest, an amount in cash equal to $31.01666668.
About Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world's most differentiated and complete portfolio of branded content across television, film, streaming and gaming. Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, HBO Max, discovery+, CNN, DC, TNT Sports, Eurosport, HBO, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others.
About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‑generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company's portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS, CBS News, CBS Sports, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, SHOWTIME®, Paramount+, Pluto TV, Skydance Animation, Film, Television, and Interactive/Games, and the newly established Paramount Sports Entertainment. For more information, please visit www.paramount.com.
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this communication constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding WBD's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future, and can be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will" and "would" or similar words. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties and on information available to Warner Bros. Discovery as of the date hereof.
Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about the benefits of the Merger, future financial and operating results, the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of WBD's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties outside of our control. Among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements are the following: (1) the completion of the Merger may not occur on the anticipated terms and timing or at all; (2) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger; (3) risks that any of the closing conditions to the Merger may not be satisfied in a timely manner; (4) risks related to litigation brought in connection with the Merger; (5) risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the Merger; (6) effects of the announcement, pendency or completion of the Merger on the ability of WBD to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with suppliers, distributors, advertisers, content providers, vendors and other business partners, and on its operating results and business generally; (7) negative effects of the announcement or the consummation of the Merger on the market price of WBD common stock; (8) risks related to the potential impact of general economic, political and market factors on the companies or the Merger; (9) inherent uncertainties involved in the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of financial projections; (10) the ability to obtain or consummate financing or refinancing related to the Merger; and (11) the response of WBD or PSKY management to any of the aforementioned factors. WBD's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied, due to risks and uncertainties associated with its business, which include the risks related to the Merger. Discussions of additional risks and uncertainties are contained in WBD's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to WBD's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K and the definitive proxy statement filed by WBD in connection with the Merger. WBD is not under any obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update, alter, or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. Persons reading this communication are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date hereof.
###
Shop Paramount+ at ParamountShop.com
Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Add NickALive! to Google Preferred Sources
Official Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. press release courtesy of PR Newswire.
Sunday, October 04, 2026
Skydance | Paramount
Skydance | Paramount
What once was the peak, is now just the beginning.
Paramount and Warner Bros. shaped over a century of culture. By combining them, we aren't rewriting history — we're equipping these iconic studios with a more powerful engine. Together, we are Skydance: a creative-first home for bold, quality storytelling.
Shop Paramount+ at ParamountShop.com
Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Add NickALive! to Google Preferred Sources
Thursday, October 01, 2026
Paramount Settles Antitrust Suit, Set To Seal Deal For Warner Bros. Discovery
Paramount Skydance Corporation has settled an antitrust lawsuit brought by a dozen state attorneys led by California’s Rob Bonta, the last obstacle to closing its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Below is a hand-picked selection of articles about the settlement.
Casey Bloys Poised to Run HBO and Paramount+ as Cindy Holland Confirms Her Exit From Paramount on Eve of Merger Closing
HBO chief Casey Bloys is poised to take the reins of all of Paramount and Warner Bros. streaming operations once the two companies merge. On Tuesday, September 29, Cindy Holland announced she was stepping down from her role running Paramount+ and other direct to consumer streamers under the Paramount umbrella.
 |
| WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 14: Casey Bloys attends the HBO Max Post-Emmy Reception at San Vicente Bungalows on September 14, 2026 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) / NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 29: Cindy Holland attends Paramount+s "Lioness" Season 3 New York Premiere at SVA Theater on July 29, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) |
The shuffle comes as Paramount Skydance is days away from closing its hard-won $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Holland confirmed her departure in a memo to staff sent Tuesday afternoon, acknowledging that Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison has made the decision regarding streaming leadership, although she did not reference Bloys by name.
“As David readies for the next phase of his vision, we’ve discussed my role and the future of the combined businesses. David is optimizing for HBO stability as we move into this next chapter, and I fully support that. I know this team has the leadership and expertise to manage through the transition and the next phase of the company, and to this end today will mark my last day here,” Holland wrote.
Over the past few weeks, speculation emerged that Bloys was likely to come over post merger in the top role overseeing all streaming operations. Bloys is a near 25-year veteran of HBO who has steered TV’s most prestigious brand through choppy waters and three massive corporate takeovers in eight years. There’s also speculation that JB Perrette, who now heads streaming business operations and gaming for WBD, will join Bloys in steering HBO, HBO Max and Paramount+.
Holland was part of the pioneering team that built Netflix into the world’s biggest subscription streaming platform. Her 18-year run at that streamer included nine years as Vice President of Original Content. Holland established the network’s original programming strategy and oversaw the teams behind flagship hits like House of Cards, Stranger Things, The Crown, Icarus, When They See Us and The Queen’s Gambit. Between Netflix and Paramount, Holland served as CEO of Sister — the production company formed by Elizabeth Murdoch. Her exit comes as the industry speculates wildly about the fate of other division leaders across both companies.
Here is Holland’s memo in full:
When I joined David’s team in January 2025, we proceeded to set three goals: i) advise on the Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition, ii) integrate and transform Paramount+ & revive Pluto TV, and iii) build an unparalleled team in this industry. In just over 12 months, I’m proud to say we accomplished all three and it’s been a joy to work closely with all of you.Together with the Product team, we drove significant strategic and organizational change across DTC — building a new foundation for growth on both services, while investing in greater depth and breadth of programming and delivering strong revenue, profit, and subscriber growth for the division.As David readies for the next phase of his vision, we’ve discussed my role and the future of the combined businesses. David is optimizing for HBO stability as we move into this next chapter, and I fully support that. I know this team has the leadership and expertise to manage through the transition and the next phase of the company, and to this end today will mark my last day here.As I reflect on my time here and all that we’ve built together in this short time, what stands out most to me is this team. I have never been more proud of a group of people. What we’ve accomplished together is remarkable — landing quarter after quarter while navigating extraordinary uncertainty and change with resilience, focus and ambition. We grew Paramount+ to an all-time subscriber high, delivered the best retention in the service’s history, and drove double-digit growth in both engagement and revenue. We built an extraordinary content pipeline, greenlighting more than 40 new and returning series and setting all-time records with Landman, the most-watched series in Paramount+ history, and Dutton Ranch, the service’s biggest original series debut ever. We transformed live sports into a powerful streaming growth engine, securing landmark agreements with UFC and Zuffa Boxing and expanding our WNBA and UEFA Champions League rights – with UFC Freedom 250 becoming the largest-ever audience for an exclusive live event on Paramount+ and UFC 329 setting a new platform record for peak concurrent streams for an exclusive live event. And we undertook Pluto TV’s biggest product transformation in a decade, dramatically increasing registered viewing and VOD consumption while delivering strong financial performance across the business. These are extraordinary accomplishments – but what makes me proudest is how we achieved them: together, with an unwavering commitment to our audiences, our creative partners and one another.I joined Paramount because I believe in these businesses, and because I believe wholeheartedly that the combination of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery serves the best interests of artists and audiences worldwide. I’m looking forward to seeing what you all accomplish together in this next, momentous chapter.
Shop Paramount+ at ParamountShop.com
Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Add NickALive! to Google Preferred Sources
Chairman and CEO David Ellison Announces Ynon Kreiz Co-CEO of the Anticipated Combined Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery at Closing to Help Build the Next-Generation Global Media Company
CHAIRMAN AND CEO DAVID ELLISON ANNOUNCES YNON KREIZ CO-CEO OF THE ANTICIPATED COMBINED PARAMOUNT AND WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY AT CLOSING TO HELP BUILD THE NEXT-GENERATION GLOBAL MEDIA COMPANY
- Appointment comes as Paramount nears completion of Warner Bros. Discovery merger
- Ellison sought a partner with the operating firepower to help usher in a new era of entertainment — duo prepared to unlock value for the creative community, shareholders and audiences alike
- As Chairman & CEO, Ellison will lead all strategy, creative and technology while Kreiz, as Co-CEO will oversee the Company's day-to-day operations and integration of the combined businesses — a pairing that joins complementary skillsets to amplify results
- Kreiz joins Ellison from Mattel and brings more than 30 years of experience leading and investing in international media and entertainment businesses, with a track record of pioneering new business models at the intersection of media, entertainment and technology
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 30, 2026 -- Paramount Skydance Corporation (NASDAQ: PSKY) (the "Company") today disclosed that David Ellison has announced Ynon Kreiz as Co-CEO of the anticipated merged company, effective at closing. Kreiz, who will start at Paramount, effective October 5, 2026, joins Ellison from Mattel, a leading global play and family entertainment company where he has served as Chairman and CEO since 2018, leading an unprecedented transformation of the business and the execution of its multi-platform, brand-centric strategy. Upon closing, Ellison will remain Chairman and CEO of the newly combined company, and Kreiz will serve as Co-CEO and join the Board of Directors. Together, they will oversee the combined company's businesses, which will report jointly to both.
 |
| Ynon Kreiz |
Ellison's appointment of Kreiz caps a long-term plan: pursue both Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, then partner with a leading executive of his caliber to integrate, operationalize and manage the businesses as they build one of the most ambitious next-generation media companies in the industry's history.
Together, Ellison and Kreiz will lead the anticipated combined company as one team, pairing complementary skillsets to maximize the full upside of the merger under a comprehensive long-term strategy. Ellison will focus on the company's long-term strategy, creative vision and direction, including its talent relationships, strategic partnerships, technology and capital allocation. Kreiz will focus on the company's day-to-day management and integration of the combined businesses.
David Ellison said: "Bringing together Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to create a next-generation global media company is a transformational moment for our industry. Leading it takes a rare combination of strategic vision, operational depth and experience running a public company at the highest levels of media. Ynon brings all three. In Ynon, I'm adding a partner with strong leadership and the operating firepower this integration demands. It's a division of labor built on our complementary strengths, with clear reporting lines and it lets me focus where I can contribute most: long-term strategy, the company's overall creative direction, talent relationships, strategic partnerships, technology and capital allocation. We're like-minded, we see this business the same way and there's no one I'd rather partner with. Together we'll build one integrated company that is creator-first, tech-forward and built to scale globally."
Ynon Kreiz said: "I'm excited to partner with David to build the next-generation media and entertainment company — bringing together premium content and iconic brands at the highest quality and scale, serving global audiences across every entertainment vertical and distribution platform. David is a unique talent and executive: a rare blend of business acumen, creative instinct, and clear vision. I very much share that vision, and I'm inspired by what we can accomplish together. The industry is at an inflection point, demanding evolution, investment, and a willingness to rethink business models. I look forward to working with the leadership team to build a cohesive global entertainment platform — one that stands out with best-in-class operations and execution powered by technology, with unparalleled creative relationships, production capabilities, and global reach. We will continue empowering creators, make this company a greenfield for innovation and storytelling, and collaborate with key partners to reach and engage fans worldwide."
Gerry Cardinale, Founder and Managing Partner of RedBird Capital Partners — the Company's co-controlling shareholder and a member of its Board of Directors — said: "David has done what few modern executives have accomplished. He has led this company through not one but two historic acquisitions, while also running the business and building a team that's already exceeding our synergy targets, beating our financial metrics, and never wavering on our commitment to the creative community. Ynon has spent his career at the intersection of media, technology and franchise-building — pairing extraordinary storytelling with the technology to deliver it to fans everywhere. He understands not just how fans connect with the IP they love, but the economics that make entertainment endure. Great leaders accomplish great things. Historic ones know when to bring in the right partner to make it last — and that's what David has done. It's exactly why the company will have the operational firepower and the cutting-edge leadership to win."
Today's appointment of an executive with Kreiz's stature and track record marks the next step in Ellison's pursuit to unite Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount — two of Hollywood's most storied studios, with more than 200 combined years of storytelling and a streaming platform expected to reach 200 million-plus global subscribers.
In just over a year under Ellison, Paramount has doubled its theatrical slate, deepened its creative bench, greenlit more than 40 new and returning series for Paramount+, and built the capital discipline and technology to scale. That foundation positions the Company to grow 2026 projected revenue and EBITDA (preSBC) by 16-19%, and it laid the groundwork for this historic transaction, which is expected to generate more than $6 billion in run-rate synergies accelerate EBITDA growth.
Once the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger closes, the combined company will be guided by four overarching strategic priorities: win in content, become the most technologically capable media company, maximize operational efficiencies, and earn trust — delivering reliable, responsible experiences that strengthen its relationships with creators, audiences, consumers, employees, advertisers and partners.
About Ynon Kreiz
Mr. Kreiz has extensive experience as a corporate leader in the entertainment industry, with a track record of scaling content and brands globally. During his career spanning more than 30 years, he has successfully managed and invested in international media enterprises that have pioneered new business models at the intersection of media and technology.
Mr. Kreiz has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mattel since 2018. Mattel is a leading global play and family entertainment company with one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, UNO, American Girl, and Thomas & Friends. Following his appointment at Mattel in 2018, Kreiz led a multi-year transformation that strengthened its leadership across key toy categories and expanded its brands into new entertainment verticals, including film, television, consumer products, digital games, live events and experiences, and publishing. Under Mr. Kreiz's leadership, Mattel's first theatrical release, "Barbie," became the #1 global box office film of 2023 and Warner Bros. Pictures' highest-grossing movie of all time, and the Company grew its global footprint to more than 150 countries.
Before Mattel, Mr. Kreiz was Chairman and CEO of Maker Studios, a global leader in short-form video content and one of YouTube's largest multichannel networks, which was acquired by The Walt Disney Company. He previously served as Chairman and CEO of Endemol Group, the world's largest independent television production company at the time, producing more than 10,000 hours of programming a year and owning global franchises such as "Big Brother" and "Deal or No Deal." Prior to that, he was a General Partner at Balderton Capital (formerly Benchmark Capital Europe), specializing in early-stage media and technology investments.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Kreiz was co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Fox Kids Europe NV, which developed and owned pay TV channels across Europe and the Middle East. The company was acquired by The Walt Disney Company.
Mr. Kreiz holds a BA degree in Economics and Management from Tel Aviv University and an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management. He serves on the Board of Directors of Warner Music Group and the Board of Advisors of the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Mr. Kreiz is a member of Business Roundtable and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He was named in 2024 one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People in the World and Entertainment Person of the Year by Cannes Lions.
Following the completion of its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, the merged company's portfolio will unite legendary brands including Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Paramount Television, Warner Bros. Television, CBS, CBS News, CBS Sports, CNN, HBO, HBO Max, TNT, TBS, Discovery, HGTV, Food Network, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Paramount Sports Entertainment — serving audiences in more than 200 countries and territories.
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding the merger, including statements relating to projected financial performance, anticipated synergies, expected subscriber levels and the expected benefits of the merger. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "projected," "anticipated," "expected," "estimated," "believes," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "will," and similar expressions. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Paramount or WBD. The forward-looking statements in this communication include, but are not limited to, statements regarding projected adjusted EBITDA growth, anticipated run-rate synergies, expected global subscriber levels and other financial and operational metrics. Any financial projections or estimates contained herein are based on assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable but are inherently uncertain, and actual results may differ materially. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the risk that the closing conditions for the merger will not be satisfied, including the risk that clearances under applicable antitrust or regulatory laws will not be obtained; the possibility that the transaction will not be completed in the expected timeframe or at all; potential adverse effects to the businesses of Paramount or WBD during the pendency of the transaction, such as employee departures or distraction of management from business operations; the risk of stockholder litigation relating to the transaction, including resulting expense or delay; the potential that the expected benefits and opportunities of the merger, if completed, may not be realized or may take longer to realize than expected; risks related to Paramount's streaming business; the adverse impact on Paramount's advertising revenues as a result of changes in consumer behavior, advertising market conditions and deficiencies in audience measurement; risks related to operating in highly competitive and dynamic industries; the unpredictable nature of consumer behavior, as well as evolving technologies and distribution models; risks related to Paramount's decisions to invest in new businesses, products, services and technologies, and the evolution of Paramount's business strategy; the potential for loss of carriage or other reduction in, or the impact of negotiations for, the distribution of Paramount's content; damage to Paramount's reputation or brands; losses due to asset impairment charges for goodwill, content and long-lived assets, including finite-lived intangible assets; liabilities related to discontinued operations and former businesses; increasing scrutiny of, and evolving expectations for, sustainability initiatives; evolving business continuity, cybersecurity, privacy and data protection and similar risks; challenges in protecting and maintaining Paramount's intellectual property rights; domestic and global political, economic and regulatory factors affecting Paramount's businesses generally; the inability to hire or retain key employees or secure creative talent; disruptions to Paramount's operations as a result of labor disputes; risks and costs associated with the integration of, and Paramount's ability to integrate, the businesses of Paramount Global and Skydance successfully and to achieve anticipated synergies; litigation relating to the transactions contemplated by the transaction agreement entered into on July 7, 2024, between Paramount Global and Skydance, potentially resulting in substantial costs; volatility in the price of Paramount's Class B common stock; the effect Paramount's dual-class capital structure and the concentrated ownership may have on the price of its Class B common stock or business; risks related to a private sale of a controlling interest in Paramount, including that Paramount's stockholders may not realize any change of control premium on shares of Paramount's Class B common stock and that Paramount may become subject to the control of a presently unknown third party; risks associated with Paramount's status as a "controlled company" under Nasdaq rules, including its exemption from certain corporate governance requirements; risks associated with the lack of voting rights of Paramount's Class B common stock; risks that anti-takeover provisions in Paramount's amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the "Charter") and amended and restated bylaws, and under Delaware law, could deter, delay, or prevent a change of control; risks that exclusive forum provisions in the Charter could limit a stockholder's choice of forum for certain claims and discourage lawsuits against Paramount's directors and officers; risks that corporate opportunity provisions in the Charter could permit certain persons to pursue competitive opportunities that might otherwise be available to Paramount; risks associated with Paramount's holding company structure, including its dependence on distributions from its subsidiaries to meet tax obligations and other cash requirements; disruptions the merger may cause to Paramount's and WBD's business and commercial relationships; the negative impact that a failure to consummate the merger could have on Paramount's business, financial condition, results of operations and stock price; the risk that the merger may be prevented or delayed or the anticipated benefits reduced if Paramount does not obtain certain regulatory approvals; the risk that the Merger Agreement may be terminated in accordance with its terms, including if any conditions to the closing of the merger are not satisfied; the risk that litigation relating to the merger could prevent or further delay the closing of the merger or result in the payment of damages after closing; challenges realizing synergies and other anticipated benefits expected from the merger, including integrating WBD's business successfully; risks to Paramount's business, financial condition or results of operations as a result of the incurrence of substantial costs and indebtedness in connection with the merger; and risks of reduced ownership and economic interest by Paramount's existing stockholders as a result of the merger. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors and the general risks associated with the respective businesses of Paramount and WBD can be found in Paramount's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2026, Paramount's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2026, filed with the SEC on May 4, 2026, and Paramount's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2026, filed with the SEC on August 4, 2026, including, in each case, in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and Paramount's subsequent filings with the SEC, and WBD's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2026, and WBD's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2026, filed with the SEC on May 6, 2026, including, in each case, in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and WBD's subsequent filings with the SEC. Copies of these filings, as well as subsequent filings, are available online at http://www.sec.gov, ir.wbd.com or on request from Paramount or WBD. Paramount undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments, except as required by law. We are not able to reconcile forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures because we are unable without unreasonable efforts to accurate estimate the individual adjustments for such reconciliations, as applicable, or to quantify the probable significance of these times at this time.
PSKY-IR
###
Shop Paramount+ at ParamountShop.com
Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Add NickALive! to Google Preferred Sources
Official Paramount Skydance Corporation press release courtesy of PR Newswire.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)