Core Insights - Paramount Skydance Corporation has appointed Makan Delrahim as Chief Legal Officer, effective October 6, 2025, to oversee legal, regulatory, compliance, and public policy matters [1][2][3] Group 1: Appointment and Role - Makan Delrahim will manage Paramount's Government Relations team and bring extensive experience from his previous role as Assistant Attorney General overseeing the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division [1][2][3] - Delrahim's background includes advising on high-profile transactions and complex litigation at Latham & Watkins LLP, where he provided legal counsel during the M&A process leading to Paramount's acquisition [2][4] Group 2: Leadership Perspective - David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount, expressed enthusiasm for Delrahim's appointment, highlighting his strategic mindset and experience in navigating complex challenges as vital for Paramount's future [3] - Delrahim emphasized the dynamic nature of the media industry and his commitment to contributing to Paramount's leadership team during this transformative period [3] Group 3: Delrahim's Background - Delrahim has a distinguished career in antitrust law, having overseen numerous mergers and acquisitions and led initiatives for international antitrust cooperation during his tenure at the DOJ [5][6] - His previous roles include senior positions in various governmental agencies, showcasing his extensive experience in law and policy [6][7] Group 4: Company Overview - Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, is a leading global media and entertainment company with segments in Filmed Entertainment, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media, housing renowned brands such as Paramount Pictures and CBS [8]

Company Overview - Paramount Skydance Corporation (PSKY) has a market cap of $12.9 billion and operates in film, television, streaming, and interactive content [1] - The company is classified as a "large-cap" stock, with notable brands including Paramount Pictures, CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Pluto TV, and Paramount+ [2] Stock Performance - PSKY shares have decreased over 9% from their 52-week high of $20.86, but have increased by 55.3% over the past three months, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 8.2% gain [3] - Year-to-date, PSKY stock is up 81.5%, significantly surpassing the S&P 500's 12.1% rise, and has risen 79.9% over the past 52 weeks compared to the S&P 500's 15.2% return [4] Financial Results - Following Q2 2025 results on July 31, PSKY shares rose 3.5% as adjusted EPS of $0.46 exceeded consensus estimates [5] - Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) revenues increased by 14.9% to $2.16 billion, with subscription revenues up 21.8% and Paramount+ reaching 77.7 million subscribers, alongside a 9% growth in ARPU [5] - DTC adjusted OIBDA improved by $131 million, supported by strong theatrical performance from "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning," which grossed over $590 million globally, and SG&A cost savings of 11.3% [5] Merger Activity - On August 7, Skydance Media and Paramount Global completed their merger to form Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (PSKY), combining Paramount's legacy content and distribution with Skydance's production and technology expertise [6]

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve's recent 25bps rate cut and potential fiscal easing are expected to stimulate M&A activity, particularly in the TMT sector, which has shown resilience with a 33% increase in deal value to $146 billion [1] - Intellectual property (IP) is becoming a central asset in TMT M&A, influencing valuations and strategic directions, as companies seek to acquire content libraries and franchises to enhance user engagement and competitive positioning [2] M&A Activity Highlights - Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion in 2023 is the largest gaming deal in history, allowing Microsoft to control significant IPs and become the third-largest gaming platform by revenue [3][4] - The deal was justified by the recurring monetization potential from subscriptions and in-game purchases, supported by Activision's 400 million monthly active users [4] - Skydance Media's merger with Paramount Global for $28 billion aims to create a media and technology leader, leveraging Paramount's extensive IP and streaming platforms to enhance distribution and production capabilities [6][7] Strategic Importance of IP - The integration of Activision's library into Microsoft's Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming has proven beneficial, with gaming revenue reaching $2 billion and Xbox content growing by 16% [5] - Paramount's acquisition of UFC for $7.7 billion is positioned as a strategic move to enhance its sports IP portfolio, transitioning UFC events from pay-per-view to subscription models, thereby increasing engagement and retention [9][10] - The valuation of IP in these transactions reflects a shift towards viewing IP as a recurring, ecosystem-driven asset rather than just a one-time revenue generator [16][20] Future Outlook - The long-term growth potential of the media industry remains strong, driven by increasing consumption and the central role of IP across various entertainment formats [22] - Companies must be cautious in their M&A strategies, ensuring they have the scale and platforms to fully leverage acquired IP, as today's high premiums could lead to future valuation challenges [23]

Group 1 - Warner Brothers shares have seen a significant increase, rising by 10% recently, indicating strong market interest [1] - There is an expectation that the bid for Warner Brothers will be primarily in cash, necessitating additional equity financing from Paramount, likely involving Larry Ellison [2][3] - Concerns have been raised regarding the current EBITDAN figures at Paramount, suggesting they may be overstated, which could impact investor confidence [5] Group 2 - There are potential tax implications related to spin-offs, with Paramount facing a two-year engagement ban if a bid fails, although this would not prevent the sale of its businesses post-spin [6] - A notable transaction occurred with the purchase of 100,000 December 15 Warner Brothers call options, which may have influenced market sentiment regarding the bid [7] - The media industry, previously considered stagnant, is showing signs of renewed value, particularly in broadcast, which may be worth more than previously thought [9][10]

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance is preparing a takeover offer for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) to consolidate two major US media conglomerates and Hollywood studios [1][2] Group 1: Takeover Bid Details - Paramount is planning a majority cash bid for WBD, supported by the Ellison family [2] - Following the news, shares in WBD increased by up to 34% [2] Group 2: Company Background - WBD owns significant media assets, including Warner Bros studios, CNN, DC Comics, and several TV networks like HBO [2] - Paramount owns Paramount Pictures and TV broadcasters such as CBS in the US and Channel 5 in the UK [3] Group 3: Recent Strategic Moves by Ellison - David Ellison has quickly made strategic moves since taking control of Paramount, including a $7.7 billion deal for UFC broadcasting rights and exclusive contracts with the Duffer brothers and Activision for a Call of Duty movie [4] - Decisions regarding CBS News, a major news operation, have come under scrutiny, particularly related to a settlement with Donald Trump over a controversial interview [5][6] Group 4: Implications for Media Landscape - The potential acquisition of WBD raises questions about the future of CNN, which has faced criticism from Trump regarding its coverage [8]

Paramount’s new owner explores ways to revive MTV and other once-mighty channels such as Comedy Central and Nickelodeon https://t.co/6uU0Ei1ZNh ...