Advanced Television

skydance

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

Bakish out at Paramount?

Bob Bakish, Paramount Global CEO, is reportedly set to resign – or be ousted from the company – amid tensions as the company explores a merger. The media conglomerate is currently in a 30-day exclusive negotiating period with Skydance Media, who have partnered with investment firms RedBird Capital and KKR to acquire Paramount controlling shareholder […]

April 29, 2024

Skydance closing in on Paramount

Film studio Skydance is reportedly in advanced, exclusive negotiations to acquire Paramount in a deal valued around $26 billion – $27 billion. Skydance CEO David Ellison is said to have been meeting with Shari Redstone – whose family’s privately owned cinema group holds 77 per cent of Paramount’s voting stock – and has also met […]

April 4, 2024