Media mogul David Ellison is preparing to finally submit an official merger bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, On The Money has learned – but don’t expect wedding bells and rose petals anytime soon.Ellison – who has stayed eerily silent since reports leaked last month that his media giant Paramount Skydance might bid for WBD – could disclose a takeover bid as soon as this week for the owner of the Warner Bros. studio, HBO and CNN, sources close to the situation said.The process is fluid, and it’s also possible ...

(Photo by Amy T. Zielinski/Getty Images) Getty Images And the cuts keep comin' in Hollywood, this time, again, at Warner Bros. Discovery, which is shaving 10% of its motion picture group staff despite a string of recent hit films including The Minecraft Movie, Sinners and Superman, as the unit positions itself as a "fully global structure." Original horror film Sinners, with Michael B. Jackson in a dual role, was another big hit, generating $366 million. The latest take on one of Warner's most treasured fra ...

Core Insights - The CEO of Cinemark, Sean Gamble, expressed optimism about a box office recovery that began in April, highlighting Amazon MGM's commitment to theatrical releases [1][3] - The ongoing debate regarding theatrical windows was addressed, with Gamble supporting a 45-day window for most films [2][5] - Despite a widening loss of $39 million in Q1, revenue increased by 7% to $541 million, indicating a potential recovery in the industry [2][3] Industry Performance - The industry has historically performed well during economic uncertainty, with the North American box office growing in six of the last eight recessions [7] - The current box office recovery is attributed to strong content and a positive outlook from studios, including plans from Amazon MGM to release 14 to 16 films by 2027 [3][4] - The debate on theatrical windows is ongoing, with a consensus that a 45-day window may be beneficial for most films to build cultural relevance [5][6] Market Dynamics - M&A activity in the exhibition sector may increase as surviving theaters look for buyers, with the box office showing signs of recovery [3] - The industry remains resilient in the face of economic challenges, as consumers continue to seek affordable out-of-home entertainment options [8] - The impact of external factors, such as trade tariffs and economic growth, is acknowledged, but the industry is optimistic about navigating these challenges [6]