Group 1 - Paramount Global has officially merged with Skydance Media, with the new company named Paramount, A Skydance Corporation, indicating that Skydance has acquired Paramount [3][4][7] - Skydance Media's acquisition of Paramount was valued at $8 billion, backed by Oracle's founder Larry Ellison, who is the father of Skydance's CEO David Ellison [7][8] - The merger signifies a shift in Hollywood, marking a new era where technology capital is increasingly influencing the media industry [20][110] Group 2 - Following the merger, David Ellison outlined plans to transform Paramount into a technology-driven company, integrating advanced technologies such as AI and virtual production into its operations [15][18][116] - Paramount has faced significant financial challenges, reporting an operating loss of over $450 million in 2023 and projected losses of $5.3 billion in 2024 [27][28] - Despite having nearly 77.7 million subscribers on its streaming platform Paramount+, the company ranks fourth among major streaming services, trailing behind competitors like Disney and Warner [30][41] Group 3 - The traditional television business is declining, with Paramount's advertising revenue dropping by 6% and overall revenue from traditional TV down by 15% [38][41] - The film division has also struggled, with the production cost of its latest major release, "Mission: Impossible 7," reaching $290 million, while its global box office earnings were only $570 million [43][44] - Paramount's management has faced instability, with frequent leadership changes and strategic indecision impacting its operational effectiveness [56][62] Group 4 - The merger is seen as a strategic move for Skydance to gain direct access to a large subscriber base and a vast library of content, enhancing its position in the competitive media landscape [98][100] - The acquisition reflects a broader trend of technology companies entering the media space, as seen with Amazon's acquisition of MGM and Netflix's content production capabilities [19][110] - The new structure of Paramount will consist of three distinct divisions: film studio, direct-to-consumer media, and television media, aimed at improving operational efficiency [111][112]