Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Paramount-Warner Bros Merger to Take Skydance Corporate Name
Paramount and Warner Bros.
Discovery are preparing to join together in a large business deal.
David Ellison says the new company will be called Skydance.
That is the name of the film company he founded.
He says the new name gives the combined business its own identity, while the Paramount and Warner Bros.
names will stay important.
The deal is expected to close on October 6.
A judge approved a settlement with 12 states that had tried to stop the deal.
Those states argued that the merger could lead to higher prices for movies and television.
One analyst criticized the name, saying it highlights Ellison's position.
The combined company aims to save $6 billion and will have about $80 billion in debt.
David Ellison confirmed the combined company will be called Skydance after the merger.
Ellison said the name gives the company a separate identity while keeping Paramount and Warner Bros. brands in the spotlight.
The deal is expected to close October 6, when the legal name is scheduled to become Skydance Corporation.
Class B shares are expected to move from Nasdaq to the New York Stock Exchange and trade as SKYD instead of PSKY.
A judge approved a settlement with 12 states that had challenged the $110 billion deal; the combined company targets $6 billion in savings and will carry about $80 billion in debt.
- Who
- Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery; David Ellison is set to lead the combined company with Ynon Kreiz as co-CEO.
- What
- The companies plan to merge, with the resulting corporate entity named Skydance.
- When
- The deal is expected to close and the legal name change is scheduled for October 6; Ynon Kreiz is set to join on October 5.
- Where
- The companies' Class B shares are expected to move from Nasdaq to the New York Stock Exchange.
- Why
- Ellison said the name gives the combined company its own identity while preserving the established Paramount and Warner Bros. brands.
Ellison's explanation
Critics' concerns
Choice of company name
Ellison's explanation
Ellison said Skydance gives the combined company a distinct corporate identity while allowing Paramount, Warner Bros. and their brands to remain in the spotlight.
Critics' concerns
eMarketer analyst Ross Benes called the choice ego-driven, saying it signals that iconic Hollywood brands answer to Ellison.
Potential effects of the merger
Ellison's explanation
The companies are moving toward closing the transaction after a judge approved a settlement with the states that had sued to block it.
Critics' concerns
The 12 states argued that the merger could create a media giant capable of driving up film and television prices.
- Planned company name
- Skydance; the legal name is scheduled to become Skydance Corporation.
- Deal value
- $110 billion.
- Expected closing and name-change date
- October 6.
- Expected stock change
- Class B shares are expected to move from Nasdaq to the New York Stock Exchange and trade as SKYD instead of PSKY.
- Cost-savings target
- $6 billion.
- Combined debt
- Approximately $80 billion.
- Leadership
- David Ellison as CEO and Ynon Kreiz as co-CEO; Kreiz is set to join October 5.
- Legal development
- A judge approved a settlement with a California-led group of 12 states that had sued to block the transaction.
