Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery’s combined company will be named Skydance, chairman and CEO David Ellison announced, with plans to adopt Skydance Corporation as its legal name. Ellison said the separate corporate identity will preserve the Paramount and Warner Bros. brands rather than elevate one over the other.
NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios chairman Donna Langley warned that a Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery combination could damage the feature film business by reducing theatrical output. She also discussed Universal’s five-year film and television agreement with Taylor Sheridan, set to begin in early 2029, as NBCUniversal prepares for a corporate restructuring.
Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy are expected to leave Warner Bros. leadership after the $110 billion Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger closes. The Warner Bros. chiefs are not expected to join David Ellison’s post-merger management team, while Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein are expected to oversee both movie studios.
Warner Bros. sent a cease-and-desist letter challenging promotional material for Fox Nation’s upcoming reality dating series Chris Harrison’s The Vow, alleging infringement of intellectual property tied to The Bachelor. Fox News Media rejected the claims ahead of the show’s planned November debut, arguing that falling rose petals and the colloquial use of “The Bachelor” are not protected elements.
Eddie Murphy is set to make his scripted television debut in The Chairman, a Peacock drama series in development from Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner. Plot and character details have not yet been announced.
Paramount board member Gerry Cardinale says most of the $6 billion in expected savings from the planned Warner Bros. Discovery merger will come from non-labor spending, including technology, real estate and marketing, rather than layoffs.
Warner Bros. TV sent Fox Nation a cease-and-desist letter alleging that marketing for Chris Harrison’s upcoming dating series “The Vow” improperly evokes “The Bachelor” through imagery including red roses and a mansion. Fox Nation rejected the allegations as “malicious and vindictive.”
Netflix has appointed Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul vice president of Communications, Series, effective October 18, reporting to Chief Communications Officer Dani Dudeck. The former Disney executive will oversee communications for Netflix’s scripted, unscripted and documentary series, along with consumer products, live programming, sports, games, creators and podcasts.
Casey Bloys signaled that HBO Max and Paramount+ could remain separate streaming services offered in a joint bundle, pointing to HBO Max’s successful Disney bundle as a possible model. He stressed that no plans have been confirmed.
Paramount CEO David Ellison wants Mark Thompson to remain in charge of CNN after the Warner Bros. Discovery deal closes. Discussions are in the early stages, and no final arrangement has been confirmed.
The Dexter: Resurrection Season 2 trailer introduces Brian Cox as the New York Ripper and Dan Stevens as the Five Borough Killer, two new threats closing in on Michael C. Hall’s Dexter Morgan. The series returns to Paramount+ on October 30.
Warner Bros. Discovery and ITV have agreed to bring 2,000 hours of TLC and Quest programming to dedicated collections on ITVX. The deal includes Mock the Week, Dr. Pimple Popper, Salvage Hunters, Vinnie Jones in the Country and Richard Hammond’s Workshop.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos says he does not regret the company’s failed pursuit of Warner Bros., arguing that Netflix maintained a disciplined price ceiling despite heightened Wall Street scrutiny. He also acknowledged that engagement grew 2% against 200 billion viewing hours and is not increasing as quickly as he wants.
Ben Affleck confirmed he used artificial intelligence “for lots of things” while making his forthcoming Netflix thriller Animals, but said he will not reveal the specific uses because doing so could disrupt the audience’s experience. Featuring Gillian Anderson, Steven Yuen and Kerry Washington, the film premieres Oct. 9.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the streaming service’s engagement is growing more slowly than he wants, with viewership up just 2 percent in the first half of 2026. Netflix is using live programming to attract subscribers, reduce churn and appeal to advertisers.
Nicolas Cage compared the Marvel Cinematic Universe to a “well-funded and glorified WWE,” criticizing its elaborate costumes and fight-heavy storytelling during a conversation at Fan Expo Dallas.
Mark Ruffalo criticized the approved $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, warning that it will stifle creativity, weaken free speech and cost jobs. He called the decision a setback but said the grassroots campaign opposing corporate consolidation would continue.
Sen. Tim Scott and Sen. Adam Schiff are co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation to create a 20 percent federal tax credit for film and television labor costs. Scott says the incentive could help South Carolina compete for productions, protect local industry jobs and create new employment.
Paramount’s $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery is poised to close Tuesday, Oct. 6, after U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín approved a settlement resolving an antitrust lawsuit by 12 Democratic state attorneys general. The ruling removes the final remaining barrier to the deal.
Ynon Kreiz is in discussions with Paramount CEO David Ellison about joining the company in a senior executive role after stepping down as Mattel CEO. The title and responsibilities remain unsettled as Paramount prepares to complete its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
HBO chief Casey Bloys is poised to lead an expanded streaming portfolio as Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery move toward combining operations. Paramount direct-to-consumer chair Cindy Holland is leaving as the companies plan to eventually bring HBO Max and Paramount+ together.