The general mood on both sides of the Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance aisles on Monday was shock and surprise over the sudden turn of events. And now that Paramount-WB merger has the all-clear signal, staffers are gearing up for what are expected to be multiple rounds of layoffs in the next few months.
\n\nOn Sunday, it appeared that the pushback against the state attorneys general to quickly settle was gaining strength. By the evening, with the Yom Kippur holiday looming, there was a sense that no deal was imminent.
\n\nSo Monday’s announcement of the settlement between Paramount and the 12 state AGs was met with some disbelief — and a feeling by insiders at both companies that the states ultimately didn’t succeed in demanding much from Paramount Skydance, despite all their posturing. And, according to staffers on both sides, whether the reality of a merged Paramount-Warner Bros. has produced relief or anxiety “depends on where you sit.”
\n\n“Everybody just wants to know what’s coming,” said an exec.
\n\nSoCal-based staffers breathed a little easier after Paramount chief David Ellison’s affirmed that the company will remain in California, after weeks of uncertainty and saber-rattling — sources familiar with the situation…
Original source: https://variety.com/