Paramount Skydance completes acquisition of Warner Bros

Paramount Skydance completes acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery

06.10.2026 16:00 HotInfo

Paramount Skydance on October 6 completed its acquisition of rival media group Warner Bros. Discovery. The transaction, worth about $110 billion, is among the largest mergers in Hollywood history and brings two traditional film studios under one owner. BBC News ↗

To create the new media giant, the company had to face both criticism and legal objections. Twelve U.S. states unsuccessfully opposed the merger, challenging the deal, which is also reported as being worth $111 billion. Critics pointed to the high debt of the emerging group and the possible threat to editorial independence. Die Zeit ↗

Paramount Skydance is controlled by the family of tech billionaire Larry Ellison. The combination significantly changes the balance of power in the American film and television industry, as extensive film libraries, television stations and streaming services are brought under one roof. ORF ↗

One of the open questions is the future of the HBO Max and SkyShowtime platforms. The new owner will also decide on the further direction of the cable channels and the CNN news network. It is precisely over CNN that concerns have arisen that the political and ownership ties of the new leadership could affect its editorial independence. El Pais ↗

After the transaction was completed, the shares of the combined company moved from the Nasdaq exchange to the New York Stock Exchange. Paramount Skydance now faces the integration of the two groups, decisions on streaming services, and setting strategy at a time of rapid change in the Hollywood industry. Trend ↗

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