Advanced Television

skydance

Paramount: Bronfman withdraws, Skydance advances

Edgar Bronfman Jr has dropped a $6 billion (€5.3bn) bid for Paramount, leaving the way clear for the Skydance offer. “It was a privilege to have the opportunity to participate,” Bronfman said. “While there may have been differences, we believe that everyone involved in the sale process is united in the belief that Paramount’s best […]

August 27, 2024

Bronfman muscles into Paramount deal

Edgar Bronfman Jr has raised up to $5.5 billion (€4.9bn) to boost his last gasp offer for Paramount and gatecrash the agreed deal with Skydance Media, reports FT. Bronfman tabled an initial $4.3 billion bid on August 19th – the deadline for the expiration of Paramount’s 45-day ‘go shop’ period. But the former Warner Music […]

August 21, 2024

Paramount Television Studios closing

Paramount Television Studios is shutting down after Paramount Global began the latest round of cost-cutting ahead of the expected merger with Skydance Media. The company is looking to make some $500 million (€453.5m) in cuts and already laid off approximately 800 staff back in February. “This has been a challenging and transformative time for the […]

August 14, 2024

Paramount takes $6bn write-down; job cuts

Paramount Global’s shares jumped 6 per cent as investors were upbeat at the media group’s streaming business, even as the company joined rival Warner Bros Discovery in writing down the value of its TV assets. Paramount took a Q2 impairment charge of $5.98 billion on its cable networks. Full year revenue dropped 11 per cent […]

August 9, 2024

Paramount 2.0

We have a deal, say Paramount and Skydance, and this time it will stick. Shari Redstone got a slightly sweeter price and proved she was no pushover, just in case anyone thought she was. That’s the trouble with being the 2.0 in a dynasty, everyone, and I mean everyone, assumes you only get to run […]

July 10, 2024

Skydance, Paramount agree merger

Skydance Media and Paramount Global have entered into a definitive agreement to form ‘New Paramount’ – a next-generation media and technology leader, through a two-step transaction including the acquisition of National Amusements Inc (NAI), which holds the controlling share stake in Paramount, and subsequently a merger of Skydance and Paramount Global. The transaction combines the […]

July 8, 2024

Paramount / Skydance back on?

Paramount has resumed merger talks with Skydance Media just weeks after an earlier deal fell apart at the last hurdle. The renewed bid from Skydance included a higher offer of $177 billion (€162bn) to get the deal done. Shari Redstone, who controls Paramount, abruptly ended negotiations in the first go-around in mid-June. David Ellison, the […]

July 3, 2024

Paramount, Skydance merger called off

Shari Redstone has called an end to talks with David Ellison’s Skydance Media, ending the potential sale of a controlling stake in Paramount Global after some six months of negotiations. The move by Redstone, Paramount’s largest shareholder, came just as it seemed a deal was close. A special committee of Paramount’s board had been scheduled […]

June 12, 2024

Paramount backs upped Skydance offer

Paramount independent shareholders are recommending the enhanced acquisition offer from Skydance Media, meaning the decision will now come down to controlling shareholder Shari Redstone. Redstone has been negotiating with Skydance, the production group founded by Oracle billionaire David Ellison, meanwhile the company has received competing interest from Apollo private equity and Sony. Skydance, whose backers […]

June 3, 2024

Skydance improves Paramount offer

Skydance Media has reportedly submitted an improved offer for its proposed merger with Paramount Global. The new deal is said to offer improved terms for both voting and non-voting Paramount shareholders, and provides more cash, according to Reuters, quoting a spokesperson on condition of anonymity. Specific details of the offer from the independent studio led […]

May 31, 2024