American film studio and flagship subsidiary of Paramount Skydance
Skydance has announced plans to bundle Paramount+ and HBO Max in early 2027, following its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The company aims to unify backend platforms within a year of closing and to lean on AI tools to accelerate the process. The move is part of broader cost-cutting and convergence efforts as Paramount+ and HBO Max explore a bundled offer for consumers.
U.S. states have filed suit to block Paramount’s $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, asserting it would control about one-third of major movie titles and cable programming. The case has prompted talks of structural remedies, though theaters and other stakeholders seek protections before any approval. A trial is set for March, with ongoing talks in the background.
Actor Mark Ruffalo has urged lawmakers to block Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery, linking the deal to Oracle’s ties to Israel. Paramount calls the rhetoric antisemitic tropes; George Clooney defends Ruffalo’s right to speak. Over 170 Jewish artists have signed a letter supporting Ruffalo. The merger remains under antitrust scrutiny and on hold as debate intensifies.
The Guardian reports on multiple cultural releases this week, including new sci-fi and horror films, a romcom, and live events across the UK. The pieces highlight a mix of big-name talent and emerging artists, with festival announcements and gallery shows in major cities.
Fall 2: Deadpoint continues the cliff-edge survival premise of the 2022 thriller Fall, relocating to a Thai mountain with two young leads facing new hazards after a rockslide. While the tension remains effective in spots, the sequel leans on a familiar formula and melodramatic twists, delivering thrills that sometimes feel outweighing the logic.
Drivers have expressed interest in cameo roles for the Days of Thunder sequel, with filming set to begin next year. Tom Cruise has engaged with drivers at Daytona and networked with writers, while Hendrick Motorsports could be involved again and Jeff Gordon has pushed for the project.
The Guardians report on how Star Trek’s utopian roots collide with today’s political divisions and the franchise’s evolving status in a polarized media landscape.
Star Trek’s 60th anniversary is marred by debate over inclusivity and the franchise’s future. Multiple outlets report on cancellation of a Paramount+ series, with actors defending the franchise’s progressive values while critics question its current direction. Readers are watching closely as sponsors and fans weigh the franchise’s next moves.
Oracle founder Larry Ellison has canceled a plan to sell up to 50 million Oracle shares, a move disclosed in regulatory filings. The reversal follows a plan announced in June to sell stock under a 10b5-1 trading plan, which is now scrapped. Oracle’s push into AI infrastructure has coincided with rising debt and reduced cash flow, contributing to a stock decline this year.
Paramount Skydance faces antitrust litigation blocking its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. A California-led legal challenge threatens to push Paramount’s headquarters and thousands of jobs out of California, triggering a potential $10.6–$21.2 billion hit to state output and hundreds of millions in tax losses. The LAEDC warns the move could reshape Hollywood’s economic center.
Bloomberg reports a settlement could come this weekend or Monday, with Warner Bros. shares rising 8.6%. Paramount asserts no transfer of control, the Ellison family retains majority voting interests.
Paramount has settled a multi-state antitrust suit over its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, agreeing to distribute a set number of films annually and to safeguard CBS News and CNN’s editorial independence. The deal clears a major hurdle but integration and staffing questions remain as regulators, executives, and staff brace for the next phase.
Twelve state attorneys general have reached a settlement with Paramount Skydance that has cleared the way for its merger with Warner Bros. The deal has required independent editorial boards for CNN and CBS, a commitment to release at least 30 theatrical films a year and a $30m penalty if that output target is missed. Critics and media advocates have condemned the concessions.
David Ellison has closed the roughly $110 billion merger that combines Paramount and Warner Bros. into a single company rebranded Skydance. The deal has folded HBO Max and Paramount+ together under one owner, brought CBS and CNN into the same corporate roof, and left the new firm carrying heavy debt while promising film release minimums and editorial safeguards.
Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery have merged into a single company, Skydance, uniting two historic studios, streaming services, and news brands under one leadership. Ellison and Kreiz lead the new entity, with plans to accelerate content development and expand global reach.
Skydance has completed its $111 billion merger, uniting Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Discovery under one umbrella and creating a media giant that also includes CNN, CBS News, HBO Max and Paramount+. The deal promises a future of unified streaming, cost savings, and potential job impacts across film and news divisions.
Crystal Lake expands Friday the 13th lore by focusing on Pamela Voorhees’s backstory and Jason’s drowning timeline shift. Critics note strong central performance by Linda Cardellini but uneven pacing and tonal shifts.
Netflix has appointed Peter Rice to replace Bela Bajaria as Chief Content Officer, as the company seeks to accelerate growth and diversify its slate. The move follows recent layoffs and ongoing concerns about engagement, with Rice bringing experience from Disney and Fox to oversee global content, including live sports and events.
Christiane Amanpour has announced she will separate from CNN after 43 years. She has said her nightly CNN International programme will be reduced to once a week early next year, end in May, and she will depart the network in June 2027; her PBS show will end this year and she will continue her podcast.
Skydance has secured equity injections as Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merge under its banner. Elon Musk’s roughly $1 billion investment deepens ties with Larry Ellison’s family as the new media empire targets at least $6 billion in annual cost savings amid a heavy debt load.
Microsoft has offered voluntary exit packages to about 60,000 employees in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and India, available to staff at level 70 and below on select teams. The company has framed the programme as time‑limited and similar to standard severance; it expects only a small share of eligible staff to accept while continuing heavy AI capital spending.
Patrick Stewart has died at age 86 in Los Angeles after a long career on stage and screen, including his iconic role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Co-stars and colleagues have paid tribute as the Star Trek community processes the loss.
Skydance has announced that Jeremy Latcham will assume leadership of DC Studios on December 1, guiding DC’s film, TV and animation slate. The move follows James Gunn and Peter Safran’s four-year tenure and coordination with Skydance executives. Latcham’s Marvel background positions him to steer a slate aimed at closing the gap with Marvel.