New York Post·2026-02-27 19:26Core Viewpoint - The Ellison family, through Paramount Skydance, is positioned to create a significant media empire by acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, pending regulatory approval, which would integrate major assets like HBO, CNN, and a vast array of movie titles into their existing portfolio [1][10]. Streaming - The potential merger could lead to the integration of HBO Max, with nearly 130 million subscribers, and Paramount+, which has 79 million customers, into a single platform or offer them as bundled services, similar to Disney's model [2][3]. - Analysts suggest that keeping the platforms separate while offering package deals may be a strategy to attract more subscribers and advertisers without raising prices [4][6]. Movies and Studios - The acquisition would combine Warner Bros.'s iconic franchises such as "Harry Potter," "Batman," and "The Lord of the Rings" with Paramount's classics like "The Godfather," significantly enhancing their film catalog [12][19]. - Paramount would also gain substantial physical assets, including over 30 soundstages at Warner Bros.' 110-acre lot in Burbank, California [12]. Employment and Culture - Concerns have been raised regarding potential layoffs, particularly among CNN's 3,000 employees, as the merger could threaten newsroom independence and lead to significant job cuts [10][11]. - The Hollywood community is apprehensive about losing a major buyer of talent, which could impact the quality of productions [16]. Sports - The deal would enhance the Ellisons' sports broadcasting portfolio, adding TNT's rights to MLB, NHL, and other major sporting events, alongside existing CBS sports rights [20][25]. Financial Aspects - Paramount's winning bid included a "ticking fee" for shareholders worth $650 million, a $7 billion regulatory breakup fee, and a commitment to cover a $2.8 billion penalty owed to Netflix for breaking their previous agreement [23][24].