Paramount chief executive David Ellison breaks silence on Warner Bros mega merger

Paramount Skydance chief executive David Ellison has commented on the $110bn merger of Warner Bros. Discovery, clarifying the company's stance on the controversial deal. In an op-ed for The New York Times, Ellison dismissed the notion that Hollywood "no longer exists," countering opposition to the mega-merger. Rejecting claims of excessive market control or compromised newsroom independence, Ellison assured that Paramount's CBS and Warner's CNN would remain impartial in their reporting.

To allay antitrust concerns, Ellison highlighted that a combined entity would only command less than 20% of US television viewership, a figure that would further diminish after factoring in YouTube's influence. To bolster traditional content production, Ellison pledged a substantial commitment, with plans to release 30 films and 170 series annually, backed by over $30bn in annual content investment.

While acknowledging the unpredictable nature of audience preferences, Ellison emphasized the importance of scaling up content investments to support creatives in an era dominated by algorithm-driven engagement. Despite the looming legal challenges, the US Department of Justice and international regulators have already approved the merger, though domestic legal battles have halted progress in the US. Federal proceedings are currently on hold, with a trial set for March 2, 2027.