David Ellison, chief executive of Paramount Skydance, publicly addressed the proposed $110bn acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery for the first time, using an opinion piece in The New York Times to counter growing opposition to the transaction. He characterized concerns about the merger as rooted in a conception of the entertainment industry that no longer reflects current market realities.
Ellison addressed specific anxieties raised by opponents, particularly regarding news operations. He affirmed that Paramount’s CBS and Warner’s CNN would continue functioning as independent news organizations with nonpartisan editorial standards. The executive dismissed concerns that combined ownership would compromise journalistic integrity or newsroom autonomy.
To address antitrust concerns, Ellison presented market share data intended to demonstrate that the combined company would not achieve dominant control. The merged entity would represent less than 20% of American television viewing time, a figure that decreases to approximately 13% when streaming platforms such as YouTube are factored into calculations. Ellison emphasized that technology companies including Netflix, Amazon, and Apple possess substantially greater financial and operational resources than the proposed combined entity would control.
Ellison outlined the merged company’s content strategy as a competitive necessity. He committed to annual production of 30 theatrical releases and 170 television series, supported by more than $30bn in yearly content spending. This investment, he argued, is essential to maintain creative employment opportunities and ensure quality content production in competition with algorithm-driven technology platforms. Ellison acknowledged, however, that audience preferences ultimately determine commercial success.
The transaction faces significant legal obstacles despite receiving approval from the US Department of Justice and international regulators including the European Union. In July, 12 state attorneys general, with California’s Rob Bonta leading the effort, alongside the Writers Guild of America, filed antitrust suits seeking to prevent the merger. They contend the combination would violate antitrust law and reduce opportunities for writers. Federal court proceedings remain suspended, with trial proceedings rescheduled for 2 March 2027.
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