Studios Archives - Media Play News

Paramount Boss David Ellison Says His Favorite HBO Show is ‘Game of Thrones’

Erik Gruenwedel — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 19:49:35 +0000

The recently concluded $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery auction could be viewed by some as having elements of HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” without the bloodshed, sex or fire-breathing dragons. Media reports have suggested that the combined Paramount-WBD is now the newly united “Kingdom” attempting to defend its territory against the tech “invaders,” such as Apple, … Continue reading "Paramount Boss David Ellison Says His Favorite HBO Show is ‘Game of Thrones’"

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Paramount Says $6 Billion in Expected Cost Synergies Acquiring WBD Will Not Include Layoffs or Content Production Reduction

Erik Gruenwedel — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 19:44:39 +0000

Following the $110.9 billion enterprise value acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Skydance is facing $79 billion in net debt upon closing of the massive media transaction. To help cut that debt, Paramount is eyeing upwards of $6 billion in cost synergies over the first three years of the merger — cost cutting that will … Continue reading "Paramount Says $6 Billion in Expected Cost Synergies Acquiring WBD Will Not Include Layoffs or Content Production Reduction"

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Netflix to Stream Harry Styles Concert From Manchester, England on March 8

Erik Gruenwedel — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:30:04 +0000

British singer, songwriter, actor Harry Styles is set to perform on Netflix on March 8 — Styles’ first live concert to appear on any streaming platform. Styles is performing his fourth studio album — Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally — on March 6 at Co-op Live in Manchester, England. Netflix is streaming the concert … Continue reading "Netflix to Stream Harry Styles Concert From Manchester, England on March 8"

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Netflix’s Ted Sarandos: We Were Dealing With ‘Unusual, Irrational’ Competitor in WBD Sweepstakes

Erik Gruenwedel — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:36:22 +0000

On the heels of Netflix declining to match Paramount Skydance’s $31-per-share all-cash ($110.9 billion equity value) bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos says the decision to walk away was not a difficult one. “We definitely wanted this asset; We didn’t need it,” Sarandos told Bloomberg News in an interview. Paramount is now … Continue reading "Netflix’s Ted Sarandos: We Were Dealing With ‘Unusual, Irrational’ Competitor in WBD Sweepstakes"

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CEO David Ellison: Paramount+, HBO Max Combining Into One Streaming Platform With HBO Brand to Remain Separate

Erik Gruenwedel — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:10:34 +0000

Paramount Skydance plans to combine the Paramount+ and HBO Max subscription streaming services into one platform upon closing of Paramount’s $76.9 billion ($110.9 billion enterprise value) merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. Speaking on a special March 2 investor call, Paramount CEO David Ellison said he planned to allow the HBO brand, currently run by CEO … Continue reading "CEO David Ellison: Paramount+, HBO Max Combining Into One Streaming Platform With HBO Brand to Remain Separate"

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Fast Forward Awards 2026: Chris McGurk — Master of Reinvention

Thomas K. Arnold — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:00:34 +0000

Chris McGurk arrives right on time for an interview at his reserved table at the Beverly Hills Hotel’s iconic Polo Lounge. It’s been his preferred meeting space for years, dating back to when he and his family used to live a few houses down Crescent Drive on the other side of Sunset Boulevard in the … Continue reading "Fast Forward Awards 2026: Chris McGurk — Master of Reinvention"

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SAG Throws Wrinkle Into Oscar Race, Gives Actor Awards to ‘Sinners,’ Michael B. Jordan

John Latchem — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:05:41 +0000

The 32nd Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA, handed out March 1 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and live-streamed on Netflix, re-framed some of the conventional awards-season thinking with two weeks to go before the Academy Awards. Formerly known as the SAG Awards before this year, and the Actor Awards are presented by the … Continue reading "SAG Throws Wrinkle Into Oscar Race, Gives Actor Awards to ‘Sinners,’ Michael B. Jordan"

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Paramount Skydance-WBD Merger Agreement Officially Announced

Stephanie Prange — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 23:00:54 +0000

Paramount Skydance Corp. and Warner Bros. Discovery Feb. 27 announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Paramount will acquire WBD. Under the terms of the agreement, Paramount will pay $31 per share in cash for all outstanding shares of WBD in a deal valued at $110 billion. The transaction has been … Continue reading "Paramount Skydance-WBD Merger Agreement Officially Announced"

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Netflix Stock Rebounds as Streamer Walks Away From WBD Deal $2.8 Billion Richer

Erik Gruenwedel — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:08:56 +0000

Netflix shares soared almost 10% after the streamer dropped its $82.7 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming and studio assets, alleviating investor concerns and boosting the service’s market confidence. The stock is still down 7% from the streamer’s $100.3-per-share price on Dec. 5, 2025, when WBD announced it had accepted a deal with Netflix. … Continue reading "Netflix Stock Rebounds as Streamer Walks Away From WBD Deal $2.8 Billion Richer"

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EnTech Fest Panel: Passionate Audience Key to DTC Services Fandango and Angel Studios

Stephanie Prange — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:33:01 +0000

Building a passionate audience is the key objective at direct-to-consumer services Angel Studios and Fandango, executives said Feb. 25 during DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group’s EnTech Fest conference at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. “We want audiences to care,” said Thomas Hughes, EVP, head of distribution strategy and global partnerships at Angel Studios. … Continue reading "EnTech Fest Panel: Passionate Audience Key to DTC Services Fandango and Angel Studios"

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