As the media industry contends with strings of layoffs, a changing business landscape, and a shift toward more ads in streaming, reports have started to emerge that Paramount is looking to join forces with another company.
So far, rumors suggest that the media giant has entertained deals from Warner Bros. Discovery, Skydance Media, Apollo Global Management, and media mogul Byron Allen. Paramount has even reportedly explored a streaming partnership with Peacock owner Comcast, too.
The company still hasn’t confirmed any of these potential deals, but the active rumor mill makes it seem like Paramount is interested in selling off some of its assets — like Paramount Plus, Pluto TV, and its CBS stations — or merging with another company completely. The deal may even result in Parmount’s parent company, National Amusements, getting acquired.
You can keep up with all the latest about the potential Paramount merger below.
Jul 15
Hopefully, this new PARAMOUNT logo won’t stick around for long
This probably isn’t Paramount’s new logo. Image: ParamountIf you didn’t know Paramount Global is set to merge with Skydance, then the logo included in their recent investor presentation would like to share an important update. Under its traditional mountain and stars, it shouts PARAMOUNT, using the all-caps styling and arched text of the Skydance logo instead of a more gently whispered Paramount.
Read Article >It’s... not good. But, like the very bad Warner Bros. Discovery logo that appeared in 2021 when their merger was announced but disappeared by the time the deal closed a year later, it’s unlikely this is the final version of whatever redesign Paramount might cook up. If and when the deal gets done, the logo at that time probably won’t look like some poor shmoe had to jam out a quick synergistic symbol twenty minutes before an investor presentation.
Jul 7
A Paramount and Skydance merger is THIS CLOSE.A “special committee” of Paramount’s board approved a rumored merger with Skydance Media, which will be announced Monday, according to Bloomberg. The news could signal the end of the dramatic Paramount merger saga that’s been going on for months.
Time to pop the champagne? Perhaps. At least put it on ice. Maybe hold the glasses for a bit, though. We’ve been here before.
Jul 2
Paramount and Skydance might have a merger agreement?Weeks after negotiations between Skydance and Paramount’s parent company, National Amusements, ended without a deal, the New York Times reports not only have they restarted, but “the two sides have reached a preliminary deal to create a new Hollywood giant.”
This follows a report from CNBC that Warner Bros. Discovery or Comcast could also be interested and Bloomberg saying Paramount might sell BET for $1.6 billion.
Updated: Added new reporting of a preliminary deal.
Jun 11
Paramount’s rumored merger with Skydance is off
Illustration by Alex Castro / The VergeFollowing weeks of discussions, Paramount’s potential merger deal with Skydance has fallen apart, as reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal. In a statement on Tuesday, Paramount’s parent company, National Amusements, said the companies couldn’t “reach mutually acceptable terms” for its deal with Skydance Media.
Read Article >One possible issue may have been Skydance’s decision not to include legal protection that would shield National Amusements head Shari Redstone from a lawsuit filed by shareholders, according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter. The WSJ reports that now, Redstone is “likely” to pursue a sale of National Amusements without trying to merge Paramount with another company.
Jun 3
Paramount and Skydance have reportedly settled on a merger agreement.Following months of merger rumors, CNBC reports that Paramount and Skydance have finalized an agreement that it will announce in the “coming days.” Shari Redstone, the head of Paramount’s parent company National Amusements, still needs to sign off on the deal.
May 5
Sony is now in play to buy Paramount.Paramount has formally begun negotiating with the company as the “period of exclusive talks with the Hollywood studio Skydance lapsed on Friday night,” according to The New York Times today.
Sony, which signaled its interest in buying Paramount last week, would reportedly hold controlling shares, while Apollo would have a minority stake, if the deal goes through.
Apr 29
Paramount CEO Bob Bakish steps down as merger inches closer
Illustration by Alex Castro / The VergeParamount has removed Bob Bakish as CEO — and it doesn’t have plans to fill the role. The company announced the news as part of its earnings results on Monday, which will leave Paramount reliant on a committee made up of three executives.
Read Article >The new Office of the CEO consists of George Cheeks, the president and CEO of CBS; Chris McCarthy, the president and CEO of Showtime, MTV Entertainment Studios, and Paramount Media Networks; and Brian Robbins, the president and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon. Reports first emerged of Bakish’s potential departure on Friday.
Apr 19
Sony enters the running to buy Paramount.Sources tell The New York Times that Sony and investment firm Apollo Global Management are in talks to submit a bid to acquire Paramount. At the same time, reports suggest Paramount is getting closer to making a deal with Skydance.
Sony in Talks to Join a Bid to Buy Paramount[The New York Times]
Apr 4
Paramount and Skydance are even closer to making a deal.Yesterday, the NYT said there were discussions of entering exclusive talks, and now multiple outlets report the companies have entered a 30-day exclusive negotiating window. Bloomberg even says, “Shari Redstone, Paramount’s controlling shareholder, has reached a tentative agreement to sell her stake to Skydance.”
The hold up now is apparently the second step of Paramount and Skydance reaching a merger agreement. As for other hopefuls, Variety reports a $27 billion all-cash bid from the private equity firm Apollo was declined.
Apr 3
Paramount and Skydance get a little closer to making a deal.Paramount still hasn’t settled on a partner, but the New York Times reports negotiations with Skydance over a possible merger have reached the step of “discussing entering into exclusive talks.”
Mar 12
Paramount might have another potential suitor.Apollo Global Management, a private equity firm that owns the majority of Yahoo, is discussing a takeover or asset purchase with Paramount, according to a report from Axios.
Rumors about a potential Paramount merger or sale have been swirling for months. Skydance Media is also reportedly in the running to purchase Paramount’s parent company, while Warner Bros. Discovery’s rumored deal is on pause. Meanwhile, reports suggest Comcast is looking into offering a Peacock streaming bundle with Paramount Plus as well.
Feb 27
Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount have reportedly hit pause on merger talks.Warner Bros. Discovery has stopped pursuing an acquisition of Paramount, sources tell CNBC. However, other potential buyers are reportedly still exploring a deal to acquire Paramount, including the production company Skydance Media and media mogul Byron Allen.
Although Comcast isn’t interested in buying Paramount Global, CNBC reports that the company is still looking into a partnership with the brand, which could involve bundling or merging streaming services.
Feb 16
Now Peacock and Paramount Plus are discussing a merger, too
Illustration by Alex Castro / The VergeFirst it was Warner Bros. Discovery eyeing Paramount Plus. Next it was Byron Allen. Now news comes that Comcast, the owner of Peacock, may be entertaining a merger with the beleaguered Paramount. Everyone seems to be kicking the tires on the storied entertainment business.
Read Article >In Comcast’s case it may make sense. Both Paramount Plus and Peacock have been working hard to court subscribers in order to further solidify their respective statuses as lasting players in the streaming space. According to a new report, the platforms�� parent companies could be considering a unique partnership.
Dec 22, 2023
A merging of Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount would be very bad
Illustration by Alex Castro / The VergeThis week, Axios broke the news that Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount were looking into some sort of merger. It would make sense: Warner Bros. Discovery is trying to become a content behemoth, and Paramount would give the company even more content plus a grouping of popular (as they can be in this age) broadcast and cable channels. It would further secure Warner Bros. Discovery’s control over tentpole IP and allow it to serve as an even more potent rival to Disney and Netflix.
Read Article >It would also be very bad for all of us who just want to watch some shows after work or school. In 2023, we finally saw the future envisioned by the companies behind the streaming services we all use. It was not a world where shows and movies are readily available, fan-favorites get the attention they deserve, and aggressive competition keeps prices low — instead, we got perpetually rising prices, disappearing content, and abrupt and poorly messaged cancellations.
Dec 20, 2023
Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount in discussions for a max merger
Illustration by Alex Castro / The VergeUpdate February 27th, 12:57PM ET: Since the publication of this article, CNBC has reported that Warner Bros. Discovery has stopped pursuing an acquisition of Paramount. The original story follows below.
Read Article >Warner Bros. Discovery might merge with another entertainment giant: Paramount. Sources tell Axios that Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav held talks with Paramount CEO Bob Bakish on Tuesday about a possible merger.
