Posted in: Max, Movies, Paramount+, TV | Tagged: paramount, warner bros discovery

Skydance Reportedly Eyeing Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery Merger

The Wall Street Journal reports that David Ellison's Skydance, new owner of Paramount, is looking to make a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery.

The Green Lantern Corps teaming with Starfleet Academy? Michael C. Hall's Dexter Morgan interning on The Pitt? The crossover "synergy" possibilities would be endless (as long as you're okay with mergers creating larger and larger media companies that own everything) if reporting from The Wall Street Journal proves to become a reality. Shortly after crossing the finish line regarding its deal to acquire Paramount, reports are that David Ellison's Skydance has its sights set on Warner Bros. Discovery – and that the move "is backed by the Ellison family, according to people familiar with the situation." Though the reporting was heavy with specifics, the bid for Warner Bros. Discovery would apparently be for the entire company (including the movie studio, cable networks, and streaming services).

The news comes a day after current Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav shared that he was looking at April for the company to finalize its split into two companies: Warner Bros. and Discovery Global. Here's how the compant split would look:

Warner Bros. (previously "Streaming & Studios"): Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO and HBO Max (including international sports offering), Warner Bros. Games, Tours, Retail and Experiences, and studio production facilities in Burbank and Leavesden. David Zaslav, President and CEO of WBD, will serve as President and CEO. The leadership team will include:

• Pam Abdy, Co-Chair and CEO Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group
• Priya Aiyar, Chief Legal Officer
• Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, HBO and HBO Max
• Bruce Campbell, Chief Operating Officer
• Mike De Luca, Co-Chair & CEO, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group
• Channing Dungey, Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. TV Group
• Robert Gibbs, Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer
• James Gunn, Co-Chairman and CEO, DC Studios
• Lori Locke, Chief Accounting Officer (reporting to the Chief Financial Officer)
• JB Perrette, CEO & President of Streaming and Games
• Peter Safran, Co-Chairman and CEO, DC Studios
• Avi Saxena, Chief Technology Officer (reporting to Perrette)

Discovery Global (previously "Global Networks"): Entertainment, sports, and news television brands, including CNN, TNT Sports in the U.S., and Discovery, top free-to-air channels across Europe, and digital products such as the Discovery+ streaming service, CNN's upcoming streaming service, and Bleacher Report (B/R). Gunnar Wiedenfels, CFO of WBD, will serve as President and CEO. The leadership team will include:

• David Duvall, Chief Technology Officer
• Amy Girdwood, Chief People & Culture Officer
• Ryan Gould, President, US Ad Sales GTM (reporting to Zeiler)
• Anil Jhingan, Chief Development Officer
• Kasia Kieli, President and MD, Poland and CEO, TVN
• Fernando Medin, President, International
• Scott Miller, President, Distribution (reporting to Zeiler)
• Fulvia Nicoli, Executive Vice President, Content Strategy & Insights (reporting to Zeiler)
• Brian Rauch, Chief Accounting Officer (reporting to Woodford)
• Luis Silberwasser, Chairman and CEO, TNT Sports
• Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO, CNN Worldwide
• Sue Underwald, Chief Legal Officer
• Bobby Voltaggio, President, US Ad Sales Platform Monetization (reporting to Zeiler)
• Fraser Woodford, Chief Financial Officer
• Gerhard Zeiler, President, US, UK & Germany, Discovery+ and Chief Content Officer

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