Paramount CEO: Hollywood needs audiences to make Warner Bros deal a success

Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison has defended the proposed merger of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, dismissing antitrust lawsuits from 12 states and the Writers Guild as rooted in trust rather than competition. In an op-ed for The New York Times, Ellison stated, "The issue is whether I can be trusted as a steward of Warner’s CNN."

He reiterated that newsroom coverage under Warner would remain independent and fact-based, adding, "Our journalists will continue to answer to the facts and to all the people they serve — not to any party or cause."

Ellison has also laid out a plan to revitalize Hollywood by increasing Paramount’s theatrical and streaming offerings. Before the merger, Paramount Skydance doubled its theatrical slate to 15 films, launched 40 Paramount+ series, and planned 90 TV series for 2026, while raising content spending by $1.5 billion. Following the merger, the combined entity aims to produce 30 theatrical films and 170 TV series annually, investing over $30 billion in content each year.

"Hollywood's story can have a happy ending only when we connect with our audience," Ellison emphasized.

The antitrust trial, set for March 2, 2027, has been delayed by seven months, adding financial pressure to the deal. A federal judge's ruling could cost Paramount over $1 billion in late fees, as the company owes Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders about $7 million daily after September 30 if the merger remains incomplete. Despite this, Ellison remains confident the company will prevail in court and open to settling outside of a trial.