It’s been a hell of a ride. David Ellison’s quest to control two iconic Hollywood studios has finally been completed — added a rollicking new chapter to the storied recent history of Hollywood megamergers.
\n\nOn the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 6, the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger officially closed. The new company, Skydance Corp., brings together film and TV assets into one big company, which is weighed down by some $80 billion in debt.The storyline’s arc features appearances by such colorful subjects as President Donald Trump, 12 blue-state attorneys general, Netflix, Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, the Block the Merger coalition, Mark Ruffalo, David Zaslav and so much more. Here’s a timeline of how it all happened.
\n\nAug. 7, 2025: Skydance Media completes its $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global after a tumultuous yearlong closing process.
\n\nSeptember 2025: First rumblings surface of David Ellison’s overtures to David Zaslav and the Warner Bros. Discovery board of directors
\n\nOct. 21, 2025: Warner Bros. Discovery formally initiates sale process “in light of unsolicited interest” the company has received from “multiple parties.”
\n\nNovember 2025: Netflix, Comcast and Skydance Media submit offers for all or portions of Warner Bros. Discovery.
\n\nDec. 5, 2025: Netflix wins the…
Original source: https://variety.com/v/tv/