Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger To Operate As Skydance Under…

The company created through Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery will be called Skydance, Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison announced Friday on X.

The new corporate name will sit above the Paramount and Warner Bros. studios, with both entertainment brands expected to retain their individual identities. The transaction, which carries an enterprise value of about $110 billion, is currently scheduled to close on October 6, 2026.

The merger will bring together two of Hollywood’s major legacy studios and combine a broad portfolio of entertainment assets, including Paramount+ and HBO Max. The resulting company will also control major franchises and properties associated with both businesses, including Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and the DC Universe.

"Both have distinct identities, extraordinary legacies and brands that have resonated with audiences for generations," wrote the Paramount Skydance chief. "We never wanted a new corporate identity to diminish, alter or overshadow either one. Instead, we wanted a name that would give the combined company an identity of its own while allowing Paramount and Warner Bros. — and all our extraordinary brands — to remain in the spotlight."

Skydance Name Will Sit Above Paramount And Warner Bros.

Skydance is the name of the film and television production company founded by Ellison in 2006. Following the merger, Paramount and Warner Bros. are expected to continue operating as recognizable studio brands under the new corporate structure.

Ellison also described the combined company as "a creative-first home for bold, quality storytelling" in his announcement.

The corporate rebranding comes shortly after a federal judge approved a settlement that removed the final major legal obstacle to the transaction. A coalition of 12 states had challenged the acquisition on antitrust grounds, but the settlement cleared the way for Paramount Skydance to proceed with the deal.

Paramount had already obtained regulatory clearances in nearly 70 countries before the remaining U.S. litigation was resolved.

CNN And CBS News To Receive Editorial Independence Board

The merger will also bring CNN and CBS News under the same corporate ownership structure, prompting provisions designed to address editorial independence.

Under the settlement, the combined company must establish a five-member News Editorial Independence Board within 180 days after the merger closes. The board will consist of established journalists and will establish editorial principles and address specified disputes involving CBS News and CNN, including matters related to reporting fairness and alleged violations of those principles.

The settlement also includes commitments concerning theatrical film production. Paramount has agreed to release at least 30 films annually during the first two years after the merger, followed by 32 films annually for the subsequent three years, subject to the terms of the agreement.

The company has additionally committed to increasing U.S. film production spending by $300 million annually for five years, representing an additional $1.5 billion over the commitment period.

With the transaction expected to close October 6, the Paramount and Warner Bros. merger will formally move into its next phase under the Skydance corporate name.