Entertainment giant Paramount has completed its purchase of Warner Bros for 98 billion euros to create a new media company named Skydance.
The transaction, which values the combined group at 110 billion dollars, creates a global entertainment power with more than 200 million streaming subscribers worldwide.
Economic journalist Ivan Alonso reported the completion of the transaction on the radio program La Linterna, hosted by Angel Exposito. Alonso stated that the long-running corporate takeover saga had concluded with the launch of the new media entity.
The combined enterprise has begun trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SKYD. The debut followed the official removal of Warner Bros. Discovery shares from the Nasdaq stock market.
Alonso noted on air that the new entity will control 30 percent of all global theatrical film releases. He added that the company projects annual revenues of approximately 67 billion euros.
Court approval and operational commitments
The mega-merger achieved final legal authorization after a California federal judge approved a settlement reached with twelve states that had sought to block the transaction on antitrust grounds.
The closing follows a turbulent market period marked by Paramount's hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros, which analysts note will impact operational structures at streaming service HBO.
As part of the merger commitments, Skydance has pledged to invest an additional 300 million dollars annually into content production. The company has also committed to releasing at least 30 feature films per year in cinemas, guaranteeing a 45-day exclusive theatrical window before digital release.
Executive leadership and financial backing
David Ellison serves as chairman and chief executive officer of the newly formed company. He shares executive management with Ynon Kreiz, the former chief executive of toy manufacturer Mattel.
Ellison is the son of Larry Ellison, the billionaire co-founder of software firm Oracle. Alonso highlighted that both Ellisons maintain close ties to former United States President Donald Trump, who reportedly maneuvered behind the scenes to facilitate the agreement.
The transaction comes amid intense competition across the audiovisual sector, where Paramount has executed aggressive strategic moves against rival streaming platform Netflix. Trump's involvement follows an intensification of his connections with the Ellison family.
Financial backing for Skydance is anchored by the Ellison family alongside private investment firm RedBird Capital and several Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds. Alonso commented that in an increasingly polarized world, control of public narrative is crucial, describing the battle for Warner studios as a clear example of the intersection between business and politics.
Studio franchises and streaming consolidation
The merger unites historic Hollywood film studios Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures under one roof, though both will maintain their established commercial brand names.
The combined portfolio brings together major entertainment franchises including Harry Potter, the DC Universe, Game of Thrones, Mission: Impossible, Top Gun, and SpongeBob SquarePants.
In digital distribution, subscription services Paramount+ and HBO Max will undergo a phased integration to create a single streaming service.
The deal also consolidates major broadcast networks and sports outlets, bringing CBS, CNN, CBS Sports, and TNT Sports under joint corporate ownership.
To address regulatory and public concerns over media concentration, the corporate group is establishing an independent editorial board and special corporate safeguards designed to preserve the journalistic autonomy of its newsrooms.
