David Ellison and the leadership team at Paramount expected to spend much of the summer settling into new digs with Warner Bros. Discovery. A few weeks ago, they privately predicted the merger of the two media companies would be wrapped up by July or August at the latest. Instead, Ellison is bracing for a long
Of all the great cinematic narrative arcs, there’s something special about the return. Think “Rocky,” “The Shawshank Redemption,” “The Natural.” A much maligned or dubious hero rises and triumphs against all odds. Goosebumps, all the time. The comeback saga rings very true for those in the film industry and those millions of movie buffs who
The head of Cinema United reiterates the lobbying organization’s opposition to Paramount Skydance’s proposed merger with Warner Bros., as well as the group’s support for litigation brought by state attorneys general that put the deal on hold. In a letter to movie theater owners on Wednesday, Michael O’Leary, CEO of Cinema United, argued that “this
Hollywood powerbroker Ari Emanuel has come to the defense of his friend and business partner David Ellison, alleging that state attorneys general trying to block Paramount’s deal with Warner Bros. Discovery are threatening to “destroy” competition in the entertainment industry. Emanuel, CEO of TKO Group and former director of Endeavor, wrote an op-ed published Tuesday
Just a few days ago, the states’ antitrust challenge to the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger still seemed like a hurdle. Now, it’s looking more like a siege war, as Paramount has agreed to suspend the $111 million deal for at least several months. In doing so, Paramount’s lawyers have effectively admitted that they were unlikely to
A federal judge on Thursday extended the order blocking the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger for an additional 14 days, meaning the deal cannot close before Aug. 18. Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín is scheduled to hold a hearing on August 3 on a request for a preliminary injunction that would block the deal indefinitely. Paramount is requesting additional
