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Paramount Skydance is reportedly aiming to keep Warner Bros. Discovery's creative teams largely intact if the two companies merge. CEO David Ellison is said to be focusing on retaining talent while streamlining certain operations such as marketing and distribution, according to a Bloomberg report on Monday. The entertainment giant's plan would also merge Warner Bros.' HBO Max into Paramount+, leaving a single streaming platform for subscribers, the report said. Ellison believes this consolidation could increase viewership for films and TV shows while simplifying the user experience. "There are no plans to sell or spin off the cable networks of either business," the report added. According to TheWrap, there is even discussion about potential collaboration between Paramount's CBS News and Warner Bros.' CNN, though no final decisions have been made. Ellison has also not yet decided on what to do with real estate tied to both studios. Paramount Skydance aims to use emerging technologies and artificial intelligence to boost production, targeting 30 films annually across the combined studios. The move is part of a broader strategy to maintain creative output while leveraging operational efficiencies. Paramount Pursues Warner Bros. After $60B Rejection Warner Bros., known for franchises like "Harry Potter" and DC Comics films, has been exploring a potential sale of the company. Paramount Skydance is widely seen as a leading contender, with analysts citing Ellison's financial resources and political connections as advantages in what could become one of the media industry's largest mergers in years. Last week, Reuters reported that Warner Bros.' board rejected a nearly $60 billion offer from Paramount, Reuters reported. Ellison's team reportedly proposed a co-CEO and co-chairman arrangement for current WBD CEO David Zaslav to strengthen the bid. Despite the rejection, Paramount remains interested in acquiring WBD, while other tech and media companies including Apple, Amazon, Comcast, and Netflix have also been mentioned as potential suitors. The potential merger has raised concerns among creatives. The Writers Guild of America expressed its opposition, saying it will "work with regulators to block the merger," citing potential impacts on jobs and creative independence. No immediate comment was available from Paramount Skydance or Warner Bros. Discovery. However, the sources report underscores Ellison's intention to preserve creative talent while making strategic operational changes, signaling an approach aimed at minimal disruption to the companies' artistic output. Originally published on vcpost.com
