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]

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance is preparing a significant bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, potentially valuing the company at up to $24 per share, with a proposed deal structure of 70% to 80% cash and the remainder in stock [1][3][4]. Group 1: Bid Details - The bid is expected to be in the range of $22 to $24 per share, significantly above Warner Bros. Discovery's current trading price of around $19 [1][4]. - The backing for the bid includes major cash support from Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, who is the father of Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison [1][9]. - Warner Bros. Discovery's stock saw a nearly 30% surge following the news of the planned bid, indicating strong market interest [5][11]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is reportedly seeking a bidding war to increase the company's valuation, aiming for a price target of $40 per share [4][5]. - The company has been burdened with debt since its 2022 merger and is struggling to compete with major streaming services like Netflix [12]. - The potential merger would create a powerful entity in the media landscape, combining assets such as HBO, CNN, and Warner Bros. Pictures with Paramount's existing portfolio [10][11]. Group 3: Market Context - The bid reflects the increasing pressure on legacy media firms as traditional cable subscriptions decline and streaming growth slows [11]. - Warner Bros. Discovery is considering splitting its operations into two publicly traded entities if its valuation expectations are not met [5][10]. - The proposed merger would require approval from regulatory bodies, including the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice, with anticipated antitrust scrutiny [14].

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

Company Restructuring & Strategy - Paramount 停止了所有促进多元化、公平和包容（DEI）的项目 [1] - CBS 新闻编辑室将设立一名监察员，处理媒体偏见索赔，此前该公司刚与特朗普总统就 60 分钟节目的偏见指控达成 1600 万美元的和解 [2] - Redstone 家族放弃了对媒体帝国的控制权 [3] Business Performance & Challenges - 传统有线电视频道正在以两位数的速度萎缩，广播网络也在衰退，原因是用户转向流媒体 [5] - Paramount Plus 流媒体业务仍在亏损 [5] - Paramount 电影工作室的盈利能力很低，与华纳兄弟、迪士尼和环球等大型电影公司相比，竞争力较弱 [5] - David Ellison 需要解决 MTV、Nickelodeon、CBS 电视网、Paramount Pictures 电影制片厂等品牌面临的困境 [4][5]

Core Points - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved Skydance Media's $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global with conditions on content production [2][4] - Skydance committed to ensuring diverse viewpoints in programming and will have an ombudsman for at least two years to address bias complaints [2][3] - The merger approval followed a $16 million settlement between Paramount and Donald Trump over allegations of deceptive editing in a CBS interview [7][8] Group 1 - The FCC's approval includes significant conditions aimed at promoting unbiased journalism and diversity in programming [2][3] - Skydance's commitment to appoint an ombudsman reflects efforts to address public concerns about media bias [3] - The merger comes after a tumultuous dealmaking process and is seen as politically influenced due to the timing of the settlement with Trump [8][9] Group 2 - The approval of the merger coincided with CBS's cancellation of "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," raising questions about potential political motivations [9][10] - Paramount's board approved the merger on July 7, marking a significant step in the company's restructuring [9]

Group 1 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved an $8 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance Media, which will lead to significant changes in hiring and operational strategies at Paramount [1][2] - Skydance will gain control of CBS broadcast television, Paramount Pictures, and Nickelodeon as part of the merger, which is expected to close in the coming weeks [2] - FCC Chair Brendan Carr expressed support for Skydance's commitment to changes at CBS, emphasizing the need for diverse viewpoints in news and entertainment programming while announcing an injection of $1.5 billion into Paramount operations [3]

Group 1 - Paramount Global is a major media and entertainment conglomerate with assets including Paramount Pictures, CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount+, and Pluto TV [1] - The company has agreed to merge with Skydance Media in a two-step deal after a prolonged battle [1] Group 2 - The merger is expected to help build a consistent, low-risk passive income portfolio for investors [1] - The investment strategy emphasizes risk assessment over speculative growth, aligning with contrarian and value-driven principles [1]