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Paramount Skydance wants WBD

Paramount's David Ellison spoke at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, where he promised the merger would not affect the number of films released by the studios:

www.nbcnews.com

David Ellison vows Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger won't cut film output

The Paramount Skydance chief spoke at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Thursday, after opting out of a congressional hearing on the merger earlier this week.
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com

The thing that will affect the number of films is if any of them are successful. All of this attention to the merger and politics overlooks the fact that making movies (and TV programming) is an art, and its success and popularity is subjective.
 
www.arcamax.com

AMC's Adam Aron backs David Ellison's takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery

As Hollywood has fractured over the proposed merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, AMC Entertainment Holdings Chief Executive Adam Aron is throwing his support behind David Ellison.
www.arcamax.com www.arcamax.com

AMC Entertainment Holdings is backing the merger. As a concern whose future hinges on continued distribution through movie houses, AMC has a lot at stake in this so their endorsement of the merger says a lot.
 
The late Ted Turner stated in his book Call me Ted in 2008 that Marvin Davis who owned Paramount at the time approached him or he approached Davis not sure which and offered to buy Paramount. IIRC it was Davis who approached Turner and I think Turner turned him down. Now, should this get finalized Parsmount will have control of his library.
 
yep, this merger's getting the Nexstar/TEGNA fast tracking treatment meaning it's almost finished and will be finished soon and all the lawsuits that are filed against it will be too late, just like the Nexstar/TEGNA merger being closed as soon as the lawsuits were first filed.
 
Now that the DOJ has approved the Paramount-WBD merger, there will be a major TV event taking place at the white house that will be shown exclusively on Paramount +. Coincidence?


apnews.com

How to watch UFC Freedom 250 and what to watch for during the card on the White House South Lawn

UFC is set to hold its first event on the White House South Lawn, celebrating President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and the nation’s 250th anniversary.
apnews.com apnews.com

If you give me what I want, I will give you what you want.

BTW any media coverage of this event is being run through UFC and Paramount. So just because you have white house press credentials doesn't mean you will have access to this event. It is taking place on public property, but it is exclusive to only one company.
 


NPr interviewed a gentleman (Jon Klein) who worked at both CBS and CNN in the past and a written transcript (as well as an audio recording) of that portion of the interview that was aired is at the provided link. I think his answers to questions about Saudi involvement in this deal and what the future may hold for CNN News near the interview's end are interesting as Jon Klein notes that support for Trump has radically dropped among independents since the beginning of the Iranian War and that the Ellisons may be looking for political support elsewhere for future deals. This would go hand-in-hand with an article that

@The BigA

posted (I think it's on this thread) about the Ellisons hiring a former democratic legislative liaison. You wouldn't do that *unless* you were concerned that the wagon to which you have tethered your horse may be about to tip over.
 
Last edited:
ted chittenden said:
Ellisons may be looking for political support elsewhere for future deals.
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My view is all the attention on Ellison wanting to turn his media into another Fox is misguided. I don't think David Ellison is as political as his father.

What he really wants to do is create a content monopoly. His father has already become a multi-billionaire. David wants to leverage that into something that is even more successful on its own. Sort of following the Edgar Bronfman Jr playbook. So yes, he's raising money from places other than his own fortune, such as Saudi Arabia. The problem with the Saudis is they're not dependable, as we saw with their latest investment in LIV golf.

David is thinking long term. He also knows that all this talk about politics is bad for his relationships in Hollywood. He needs to have the creative community on his side and willing to sign production deals with him. He just lost Taylor Sheridan, creator of the successful Yellowstone series. Now Taylor is signed with NBC Universal. That's a bad thing for him. Yellowstone was one of Paramount's crown jewels. He needs to replace it. People won't work for him if they don't feel comfortable with him. That's what we should be focusing on. Who are the creatives who want to work with him?

fictionhorizon.com

Taylor Sheridan Signs Huge Universal Deal for New Movies and TV Shows

Taylor Sheridan, the creative force behind Yellowstone and several of its spinoffs, is leaving Paramount after years of partnership.
fictionhorizon.com fictionhorizon.com
 
www.hollywoodreporter.com

Paramount Taps Shuwanza Goff as Top Democrat Lobbyist

The former Biden administration staffer will engage with state and federal lawmakers as the company attempts to push through a merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.
www.hollywoodreporter.com www.hollywoodreporter.com

variety.com

Paramount Skydance Hires D.C. Lobbyist Ted Lehman as Head of U.S. Public Policy and Government Affairs

Paramount Skydance hired Ted Lehman as senior VP, head of U.S. public policy and government affairs, reporting to chief legal officer Makan Delrahim.
variety.com variety.com

Here is more as Paramount gets a chief lobbyists to act on their behalf.

www.newsweek.com

Paramount-Warner "not a done deal," says California AG—But can he stop it?

California Attorney General Rob Bonta says his office is still investigating a massive media and entertainment merger.
www.newsweek.com www.newsweek.com

Here's more the California Attorney General is questioning the deal over antitrust concerns. Yes its the same lead Attorney General who sued Nexstar and Tegna over the same concerns over antitrust concerns.
 
TheBigA said:
BTW any media coverage of this event is being run through UFC and Paramount. So just because you have white house press credentials doesn't mean you will have access to this event. It is taking place on public property, but it is exclusive to only one company.
Click to expand...
I can believe that. It’s harsh. But I can believe that. I’m sure Dana wants TV sports guys reporting on it, over news talent, as much as possible. I would’ve applied for a credential myself but I’ve been so wrapped up in my end. Are you sure even the lawn is public property? I was at and inside the White House a few months ago, and the lawn is pretty secure too as if it’s like inside the WH
 
Loverofradio said:
Are you sure even the lawn is public property? I was at and inside the White House a few months ago, and the lawn is pretty secure too as if it’s like inside the WH
Click to expand...

It's both. The white house and the area around it are public property owned by the government. Not private property. The security is secret service and white house police. So taxpayer money is being used for this. The area around the ellipse will be for public viewing. It's just across the street from the south lawn. High security there now as well.

In case you missed it, there's also been some news today about the Iran war. So far only Vance has spoken about it. So the white house press would love to get video from potus. But that will be a tight pool.
 
I still can’t believe Paramount spent $7.7 billion just to have a fight on the front lawn of the White House. That money could’ve been spent on improving their college football product or add more sports people actually care about. Out of all massive media deals signed I think this will not end well
 


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